As an LGBTQ+ business owner, I completely understand how running an LGBTQ+ owned business comes with unique opportunities and challenges. It makes you wonder: are there any marketing resources out there for LGBTQ+ owned businesses?
Marketing plays a big role in both growing your business and in building connections, amplifying your voice as an LGBTQ+ entrepreneur, and showing up authentically. In this blog, we’ll explore various marketing resources designed to help LGBTQ+ owned businesses and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs thrive, offering tools, networks, and actionable strategies tailored to their needs.
Free marketing tools and resources for LGBTQ+ owned small businesses
Later blog
Later’s blog is a go-to resource for social media marketing. It breaks down tips and strategies such as how to build content pillars, how to grow your audience on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Pinterest, and LinkedIn, and the latest marketing trends and platform updates.
With actionable insights and a free social media content scheduling tool, Later is one of the best marketing resources for LGBTQ+ owned businesses and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs looking to strengthen their social media presence and staying updated on the latest social media marketing trends and news.
HubSpot blog
HubSpot’s blog offers practical advice on topics like email marketing, SEO, blog writing, building a website, and social media marketing. Whether you’re learning how to create email marketing funnels or improve your website’s SEO, HubSpot’s blog is a great marketing resource for LGBTQ+ business owners and entrepreneurs who want to explore different marketing strategies and marketing channels for their business.
Canva
Visual content can make or break your marketing. Canva is a user-friendly and beginner-friendly platform that helps LGBTQ+ business owners and entrepreneurs create visually-appealing graphics for social media, email marketing, presentations, and promotional materials. With its free plan, you get access to customizable templates, fonts, and design tools that help your brand stand out.
Google Workspace and Google My Business
Google Workspace provides tools like Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Sheets to streamline your operations. Google My Business, on the other hand, helps you establish a local presence by managing your business profile, collecting reviews, and tracking engagement. Both tools offer free versions to get you started.
Mailchimp
Email marketing is still one of the most powerful ways to connect with your audience. Mailchimp’s free plan lets you send visually appealing emails, segment your audience, and analyze campaign performance which are all essential for growing your business.
SEO tools
Search engine optimization (SEO) ensures your audience can find you online organically. Here are some free SEO marketing tools to help LGBTQ+ business owners and entrepreneurs improve their website’s performance:
- Google Analytics: Track your website traffic, understand your audience’s behavior, and measure your marketing efforts.
- Google Search Console: Optimize how your website appears in search results and troubleshoot any website performance issues.
- Moz Free Tools: Gain insights into keywords, backlinks, and domain performance with Moz’s free SEO resources.
- Ubersuggest: Analyze keyword rankings, generate content ideas, and monitor competitors — all at no cost.
By using these free SEO tools, you can craft an SEO strategy that drives organic traffic without having to spend extra money.
LGBTQ+ focused organizations and communities for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs
NLGCC (National LGBT Chamber of Commerce)
The NLGCC, also known as the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, offers the only third-party certification for LGBTQ+ in the U.S. If you complete their program and become a Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (or LGBTBE®), this will open doors to a new world of sales, networking, and educational opportunities.
Marketing by Rocio has been a Certified LGBTBE® since 2022, so I can definitely attest to the world of opportunities!
With this certification, your LGBTQ+ business has the eligibility to exhibit at the annual NGLCC International Business and Leadership Conference, as well as regional events. LGBTQ+ businesses who are certified are eligible to participate to receive sourcing opportunities from the NGLCC and its corporate partners.
Certified LGBTQ+ businesses are eligible to participate in mentorship programs, leadership trainings, and scholarship opportunities presented by NGLCC corporate partners. Certified LGBTQ+ businesses also become eligible for involvement with the Transgender & Gender Expansive (TGX) Initiative for TGX-owned businesses and the Communities of Color Initiative (CoCi) for queer business owners of color.
StartOut
StartOut is a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and business owners. It offers a range of resources, including:
- Events: Networking opportunities, educational panels, and workshops designed to connect and empower LGBTQ+ professionals.
- Mentorship matching: Tailored guidance from experienced mentors to help overcome challenges and refine strategies.
- StartOut Growth Lab: A startup accelerator providing mentorship, office space, and access to industry leaders to help early-stage businesses scale.
- Capital access: StartOut provides connections to investors and funding opportunities specifically for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.
- Local and online communities: With chapters across the United States and virtual events, StartOut creates spaces for collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
StartOut’s programs and events are designed to break down barriers LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs often face, such as limited access to funding or mentorship. By fostering a supportive and innovative community, StartOut helps LGBTQ+ owned businesses scale and thrive in competitive markets. Whether you’re just launching or looking to grow, StartOut provides the tools and connections to take your business to the next level.
Out Professionals
Out Professionals is a business network for LGBTQ+ professionals, including entrepreneurs. Out Professionals has a membership program with chapters across the United States that hold networking events.
The organization is open to starting in areas that don’t yet have a chapter yet. Out Professionals is a great resource for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs to connect with potential clients or partners. Members can also be included in an online directory and attend educational webinars.
Gaingels
Finding capital to launch or grow a business as an LGBTQ+ business owner and entrepreneur can be challenging. Gaingels, an angel investing group formed in 2014, focuses on helping LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs access capital. They’ve invested in hundreds of startups, supporting companies led by queer founders. Their mission is to bridge the funding gap LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs often face, making them an excellent resource for startups seeking financial backing.
Lesbian Who Tech & Allies
Lesbians Who Tech focuses on getting more women, people of color, and queer and trans people in technology. The organization works to create visibility, foster community, and career and educational opportunities.
Their annual summit is an incredible opportunity for LGBTQ+ business owners to learn and network with other LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and LGBTQ+ professionals. I’ve done some interesting work with them, from giving talks about the future of SEO in the age of AI, and reporting at their NYC summit in 2024.
Your local LGBT Chamber of Commerce
The NGLCC is the only national LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce in the United States, but its affiliate network contains city, state, and regional LGBTQ+ chambers across the country. Here is the link of affiliate chambers across the United States and the world.
These organizations are networks of LGBTQ+ owned businesses and entrepreneurs, and becoming a member opens doors of opportunities of a network of peers. Members are also included in directories which helps with marketing and promoting LGBTQ+ owned businesses. Local LGBTQ+ chambers also host many networking, social, and educational events for their members.
Famm Connect
As a newly launched platform dubbed the “LinkedIn for the LGBTQ+ community,” Famm Connect is revolutionizing professional networking for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. The mobile app not only helps users build meaningful professional connections but also serves as a platform for discovering queer-founded brands and businesses.
With features designed to foster collaboration, mentorship, and inclusivity, Famm Connect offers tools to connect LGBTQ+ professionals with like-minded peers, potential collaborators, and organizations that share their values. Its focus on creating a supportive and values-driven environment makes it an invaluable resource for any LGBTQ+ business owner or entrepreneur looking to expand their network while staying true to their identity.
The mobile app is available to download on IOS and Android in the US, UK, and Canada and is looking to expand to more countries in 2025.
How LGBTQ+ owned marketing agency Marketing by Rocio supports LGBTQ+ business owners
At Marketing by Rocio, we help LGBTQ+ business owners and entrepreneurs tell their stories and build brands that truly reflect their values. We understand the nuanced challenges you face as a business owner in this space and meet you where you are with services that are as practical as they are personal.
With search engines evolving every day, the power of organic content remains unmatched. That’s where our SEO and content management services come in. We don’t believe in “throwing spaghetti at the wall”; instead, we strategize your blogs and LinkedIn content to ensure every piece works toward generating real results.
From building visibility to driving leads, we make sure your content pulls its weight so you can focus on running your business.
For those ready to dive deeper into aligning their brand with their mission, our Next Generation Branding and Marketing Intensive is a 30-day program that transforms how you approach branding. You’ll leave with a 12-month actionable marketing plan and a brand voice guide, making it easier to move forward confidently without the overwhelm of overthinking every decision.
At our core, we are about collaboration, authenticity, and community. Whether you’re just getting started or scaling your efforts, here’s how we support you:
- We help you develop a brand voice that cuts through the noise and feels true to you.
- We create strategies that connect you with clients and partners who value your story.
- We guide you through the hurdles unique to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, offering solutions that respect your identity and vision.
- We bring structure to your social media and marketing plans, so you never have to feel scattered.
Your business deserves to take up space — the kind that leaves a lasting impression. Let’s make that happen together. Ready to build a brand that not only represents you but inspires others?Reach out today, and let’s get started.
