This article was published on July 11th, 2020

We have recently been introduced to a number of really amazing LGBT musicians. Frank Ocean, Troye Sivan and Lil Nas X might just be the biggest LGBT names in the music industry right now, but it’s very encouraging to witness a surge of such musicians and hear their music which is, more often than not, quite refreshing and innovative. Queer people have always had their role in the music industry, but it’s only now that we have complete freedom to express our sexual preference, and, if we’re artists, make music and promote it in just the way we want to. The unity of who the artist is and the music they create has never been more important. Take a look at Billie Eilish, for example, or Lil Nas X – they are doing what they want to do and that’s what’s making them true professionals. Here are five tips if you want to be the next LGBT music star:

Be supportive of everyone

Any rising LGBTQ star should be supportive of everyone if they want to be open about their sexuality. As advocates for freedom of speech and freedom of sexual preferences, they should not only accept and approve of different sexual preferences and relationships but be very vocal about it as well. Thousands of teenagers worldwide are looking up to such stars, and it’s of the utmost importance that you, as a rising star in the music industry, find your own fandom and teach them how to behave towards a certain group properly. This does not only include queer sexual preferences but other races and nationalities as well.

Work on your content

In the digital era, it’s important to create music and relevant content that will be interesting to the public. This is all the more important if you are a rising artist and you want to encourage as much interaction as possible. To do this the right way, you can use the perks of different social media platforms, such as Instagram or YouTube.

Youtube is a great way to create interesting content, as you can create vlogs about how you make music and show your fans what is happening in your life and what your friends have to say about you. To be more professional, find a good YouTube intro maker and make yourself an intro that will be featured on every YouTube video that you create. Not everything is about music, a lot is about you and your personality.

Be present on social media

No star’s absent from social media. Instagram is just one of the platforms, but do not forget about Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook. These are not only great platforms to advertise yourself but they are also a great way to stay in touch with your fans which can mean a lot to you in the long run.

Be yourself

If you take a look at the music industry of the 90s and 00s, you will not fail to see a pattern present among almost all music artists. Pop was essential back then, and it seems that everyone wanted to be the same. The 10s were somehow different, and the new decade will be even more innovative and will change the music industry to a great extent. Being yourself and working on being unique is one of the things that will make you a great star in the future.

Never take your sexual orientation as something that will label you, but instead, use it to be vocal about everything that you are and everything you stand for. Showing your vulnerabilities through your music and your speeches is very important. Tom Gross, who released his 7th album this year, is an LGBT star who was also a priest. These are the stories that create amazing content and will make the public fall in love with your honesty.

Create good music

Finally, create good music that your fans will love. Follow the music trends, yet stay true to the genre that you are and that you like. If you’re present on social media you can easily track the general public’s opinion and thus alter some things in the future.

The road to being the next big LGBT music star is not easy, especially as there are plenty of rising artists such as Canadian country music star, Patrick Masse, or Orville Peck. Be yourself, kind and positive. That’s what the public wants to see.