Why Most Brisbane Business Owners Fail on Reddit
If you’ve ever tried to post about your business on Reddit, you probably had your post deleted within minutes. Or worse, you got a bunch of angry comments telling you to get lost. Most Brisbane business owners I talk to think Reddit is just a place for teenagers and tech geeks. They couldn't be more wrong.
Reddit is actually a goldmine for local businesses—if you know how to use it. Unlike Facebook, where people are looking at photos of their grandkids, people go to Reddit to ask for advice, solve problems, and find recommendations.
When someone in the r/Brisbane community asks, "Who is the best electrician in Chermside?" or "Where can I get a good suit in the CBD?", they are ready to spend money right now. If you aren't there to answer, your competitor will be.
This guide isn't about "going viral." It’s about a cold, hard strategy to find people who need your services and turn them into paying customers.
The Reality Check: Is Reddit Worth Your Time?
Before we dive into the "how-to," let’s look at the numbers. Reddit has millions of users, and the Brisbane-specific groups are incredibly active.
Cost: $0 (unless you choose to run ads). Time: 15–30 minutes a day. Results: You can see new enquiries within 24 hours if you find the right conversation.
Most social media is a black hole for time. You post a photo on Instagram, three people like it, and your bank account stays empty. Reddit is different because it is based on intent. You are looking for people who are actively searching for what you sell. If you want to stop wasting time on platforms that don't pay the bills, Reddit is the place to be.
Step 1: Set Up Your Profile (The "Real Person" Test)
Reddit users hate being sold to by faceless corporations. If your username is "BestPlumbingBrisbane123," you’ve already lost. People want to deal with Dave the Plumber, not a marketing bot.
1. Use a human name: Or something that sounds like a local. 2. Don't use your logo: Use a photo of yourself or something neutral. 3. Build some history: Before you ever mention your business, go and comment on a few things. Talk about the Broncos, complain about the traffic on the Gympie Arterial, or recommend a good coffee shop in Bulimba. You need to look like a local resident, not a billboard.
I’ve seen dozens of Brisbane businesses get banned because they created an account and immediately posted a link to their website. That is the fastest way to get kicked out. You need to learn how to stop getting banned by acting like a member of the community first.
Step 2: Finding Where Your Customers Hang Out
Reddit is divided into "subreddits" (groups). You don't need to care about the whole world; you only care about where your customers are.
For a Brisbane business, your primary targets are: r/Brisbane: The big one. Everything from news to "who's the best mechanic?" r/Queensland: Good for regional services or tourism. Industry-specific groups: If you are a mortgage broker, look at r/AusFinance. If you are a builder, look at r/AusRenovation.
Actionable Tip: Use the search bar in these groups. Search for keywords like "recommendation," "looking for," "best [your service]," or "help with [problem you solve]."
Step 3: The "Help First, Sell Second" Strategy
This is where most people mess up. They see a post asking for a gardener and they reply: "Call me at 0400 000 000, best prices in town!"
That looks like spam. Instead, try this:
"Hey mate, I do gardening over in North Lakes. If you're looking to do it yourself, make sure you use [specific mulch] because the heat lately is killing everything. If you'd rather someone else deal with the sun, feel free to shoot me a message and I can come give you a quote. Cheers, Steve."
See the difference? You provided value first. You showed you know your stuff. You weren't a pushy salesman; you were a helpful neighbour. This approach is how you get real customers without spending a cent on advertising.
Step 4: Tracking the Results (Will This Make Me Money?)
You shouldn't do anything in your business if you can't see the return. To track Reddit leads, you don't need fancy software.
1. The "How did you hear about us?" question: Ask every person who calls you. If they say "I saw your comment on Reddit," mark it down. 2. Direct Messages (DMs): Most Reddit leads will message you directly on the platform. Keep an eye on your inbox. 3. Specific Offers: Tell Redditors to mention a specific code (e.g., "Reddit10") for a small discount. This proves the lead came from your efforts.
In my experience working with local tradies and shops, one well-placed comment on a popular thread can lead to 3–5 solid enquiries. If your average job is $500, that’s $2,500 from 10 minutes of typing. That beats the pants off handing out flyers in letterboxes.
Step 5: What is a Waste of Money on Reddit?
Let’s be blunt: Reddit Ads are usually a waste of money for small local businesses.
Reddit’s advertising system is designed for big brands like Coca-Cola or software companies. For a local hairdresser in Paddington or a lawyer in the CBD, paying for "impressions" (people seeing your ad) is a rubbish way to spend your budget.
Why? Because you can't easily target just one suburb. You’ll end up paying for your ad to be shown to someone in Cairns or Sydney who is never going to visit your shop. Stick to the "Help First" method. It’s free and it converts better because it builds trust.
Step 6: The Weekly Routine
You are busy. You have a business to run. You don't have time to browse Reddit all day. Here is the exact schedule I recommend for a Brisbane business owner:
Monday Morning (5 mins): Search r/Brisbane for your industry keywords from the weekend. Wednesday Lunch (5 mins): Check your notifications. Reply to any comments on your previous posts.
- Friday Afternoon (10 mins): Look for people asking for weekend advice or recommendations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve seen some absolute shockers from local businesses. Avoid these at all costs:
1. Arguments: Never get into a fight on Reddit. Even if the other person is a total peanut, keep it professional. Other potential customers are watching how you handle conflict. 2. Copy-Pasting: Don't use the same reply for every post. People can see your post history. If they see you've pasted the same sales pitch 50 times, they’ll report you for spam. 3. Buying Upvotes: There are services that claim they can make your post "popular" by buying fake likes. Don't do it. Google and Reddit are both very good at spotting this, and it will get your website blacklisted.
Real Example: The Morningside Plumber
We worked with a plumber based in Morningside who was struggling to get more phone calls without spending $100 a day on Google Ads.
We set him up on Reddit. Instead of selling, he just spent 15 minutes a day answering questions about blocked drains and hot water systems. When someone asked for a local recommendation, he’d jump in and say, "I'm a plumber in the area, here's what's likely wrong with your pipes..."
Within the first month, he booked six jobs directly from Reddit. Total cost? $0. Total time? About 4 hours over the whole month. That is a massive win for a small business.
Summary: Your Step-by-Step Action Plan
1. Create an account today. Use a normal name. 2. Join r/Brisbane and any groups related to what you do. 3. Search for your keywords. See what people are asking about. 4. Give free advice. Don't ask for the sale in the first sentence. 5. Be consistent. Spend 20 minutes a week, not 5 hours once a year.
Reddit isn't about being a "marketer." It's about being a helpful expert in your local community. If you do that, the customers will follow.
If you're too busy running your business to handle this yourself, or you want a strategy that covers more than just Reddit, we can help. At Local Marketing Group, we focus on what actually puts money in your bank account, not just getting "likes."
Ready to grow your Brisbane business? Contact us at Local Marketing Group and let's get your phone ringing.