Why Every Brisbane Business Needs to Start Filming (Today)
I’ve sat down with hundreds of business owners from Chermside to Logan, and I hear the same thing every time: "I don't have time to be a movie star, and I don't want to waste money on a camera crew."
I get it. You’ve got a business to run. You’re busy quoting jobs, managing staff, and making sure the books balance. The last thing you want to do is spend four hours trying to figure out TikTok or Instagram Reels.
But here is the cold, hard truth: Short-form video is currently the cheapest and fastest way to get your business in front of new customers in Brisbane. Whether you are a plumber in Coorparoo or a boutique owner in Paddington, people are looking at their phones. If you aren't there, your competitor will be.
The good news? You don't need a film crew. In fact, the big, polished, expensive TV-style commercials are actually performing worse than simple videos shot on a phone. People want to see the real you, not a corporate script.
What Exactly is "Short-Form Video"?
Forget the technical jargon. When we talk about short-form video, we are talking about vertical videos (the way you naturally hold your phone) that are usually between 15 and 60 seconds long. They live on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
They are designed to catch someone's eye while they are scrolling. If you do it right, these videos turn into phone calls, website visits, and more cash in the bank. If you do it wrong, you’re just shouting into the void.
The "Real World" Benefit: Will This Actually Make You Money?
Let’s look at a real example. We worked with a deck builder on the Northside. He was spending a fortune on lead generation sites that sent him rubbish enquiries. We told him to start filming 30-second clips of his finished decks—just walking through the space and pointing out the quality of the timber and the neatness of the joins.
Within a month, he had people calling him saying, "I saw that deck you did in Ascot, can you do that for me?" He didn't have to sell himself; the video had already done the work. That is the power of showing, not just telling.
1. It Builds Trust Faster Than Anything Else
People buy from people they like and trust. If a homeowner sees your face and hears your voice explaining how you fix a leaking pipe, they already feel like they know you. By the time they call you, the "sale" is halfway done.2. Google and Facebook Love It
The big platforms want people to stay on their apps. They know people love video, so they show video to more people. You can reach 1,000 local people with a video much easier (and cheaper) than you can with a plain text post or a photo.3. It Lives Forever
A radio ad plays once and it's gone. A newspaper ad is in the bin the next day. A good video stays on your profile, working for you 24/7 like a salesman who never sleeps.How Much Does This Cost?
If you do it yourself: $0. You already have a smartphone. That is all the equipment you need.
If you hire an agency: $1,500 - $5,000+ per month. This is for businesses that have more money than time. They want someone to come out, film everything, edit it, and post it.
My advice? Start by doing it yourself for the first month. Learn what your customers actually respond to before you go dropping thousands of dollars on professional help. You might find that short-form that converts is actually the stuff you film yourself on the job site, rather than a glossy production.
What Should You Actually Film? (Stop Overthinking It)
Most business owners get stuck here. They think they need a script. You don't. Here are five simple ideas that work for almost any Brisbane business:
The "Before and After": This is gold for tradies, cleaners, and landscapers. Show the mess, then show the result. The "Quick Tip": Tell people one thing they can do to save money or avoid a headache. "Here is how to check if your smoke alarm is actually working." This makes you the expert. The "Day in the Life": Show your van packed and ready to go at 6:30 AM. Show the team grabbing a coffee in West End. It shows you are a real, local business. The "Answer a Question": What is the one thing every customer asks you? Record a 30-second answer. The "Meet the Team": Introduce your apprentice or your office manager. People like knowing who is coming to their house.
The 3-Step Process to Your First Video
You don't need to be a tech genius. Just follow this:
Step 1: The Hook (The first 3 seconds)
You have to stop them from scrolling. Don't start with "Hi, my name is John and I’ve been a sparky for 20 years." Boring.Start with: "Stop ignoring that flickering light in your kitchen—it could be a fire hazard."
Give them a reason to keep watching immediately.
Step 2: The Meat (The next 20-40 seconds)
Deliver on the promise. Show the problem, show the fix, or give the tip. Keep it fast. Don't ramble. If you can say it in 10 words, don't use 50.Step 3: The Call to Action (The last 5 seconds)
Tell them exactly what to do next. "Click the link in my bio for a free quote," or "Call us today to book your spot." If you don't tell them what to do, they will just keep scrolling to the next cat video.Common Mistakes That Waste Your Time
I’ve seen plenty of Brisbane businesses try video and give up after two weeks. Usually, it’s because they made one of these mistakes:
Trying to be perfect: Your hair doesn't need to be perfect. Your voice doesn't need to be professional. If you stumble on a word, keep going. It makes you look human. Being too "salesy": If every video is just "Buy my stuff, we are the cheapest," people will tune out. Aim for 80% help/entertainment and 20% selling. Ignoring the comments: If someone asks a question on your video, answer it! This is how you turn your followers into people who actually pay you money. Bad Lighting: You don't need fancy lights. Just stand facing a window or step outside into the daylight. If people can't see your face, they won't trust you.
A Warning About "Going Viral"
Everyone wants a video with a million views. I’m telling you now: You don't.
If you are a pest controller in Ipswich, you don't care if a teenager in New York sees your video. You want 500 people in Ipswich to see it. Focus on being local*, not famous. Use local landmarks, mention your suburb, and talk about Brisbane-specific problems (like the humidity or the storms). A hundred views from local mums and dads is worth more than a million views from people who can't buy from you.
What About the Negative Comments?
This is a big fear for many. "What if someone says something mean?"
Look, the internet has trolls. It happens. But for every one person being a jerk, there are a thousand others who are just looking for a reliable business to help them. Don't let the fear of a random comment stop you from growing your business. If things ever get messy, there are ways of fixing social media disasters before they hurt your brand, but 99% of the time, it's not an issue.
How Long Until You See Results?
This isn't a magic wand. You won't post one video and have the phone ringing off the hook ten minutes later.
In my experience with Brisbane small businesses, it takes about 4 to 6 weeks of posting 2-3 times a week before the momentum starts. You'll notice people mentioning the videos when they call. You'll see more people visiting your website. Be patient. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Your Action Plan for This Week
Don't go out and buy a new iPhone or a microphone. Here is what I want you to do:
1. Identify 3 questions customers asked you this week. 2. Take your phone out to your next job or into your shop. 3. Record a 30-second answer for each question. Just hold the phone up, face the light, and talk. 4. Post them to your Facebook business page and Instagram as "Reels." 5. Repeat next week.
That’s it. No fancy editing, no music, no stress. Just you helping your customers.
Summary: Is It Worth It?
If you want to grow your business in 2024 and beyond, short-form video isn't optional anymore. It’s how people shop. It’s how they research. And it’s how they decide who to give their money to.
It might feel awkward at first. You might hate the sound of your own voice (we all do). But every time you post a video, you are building a bridge between you and a potential customer.
Stop overcomplicating it. Stop worrying about the "algorithm." Just start helping people through your camera lens. The results will follow.
Need help getting your phone ringing? At Local Marketing Group, we help Brisbane businesses get more customers without the fluff. If you want a hand with your strategy or want us to handle the heavy lifting, get in touch with us here.