Why Most Brisbane Businesses Struggle to Get the Phone to Ring
You’ve probably been there. You spend money on ads, you post on Facebook, and you have a decent-looking website. But the phone isn't ringing as much as it should.
When a homeowner in Chermside needs a plumber, or a business owner in the CBD needs an accountant, they aren't just looking for a service. They are looking for certainty. They want to know that if they give you their hard-earned money, you won’t mess them up.
In the marketing world, people call this "social proof." In the real world, we call it "not being the first guinea pig."
If you want to grow your business, you need to prove you’ve done the job well for people just like them. Here is exactly how to show that proof so you can stop chasing leads and start booking jobs.
1. The Power of the "Before and After" (It’s Not Just for Tradies)
I see so many businesses post generic photos of their truck or their office. Nobody cares about your truck. They care about what you can do for them.
If you’re a landscaper in Carindale, a photo of a muddy backyard next to a photo of a pristine new deck is worth $5,000 in advertising. But this doesn't just apply to tradies.
Accountants: Show a graph of a client’s tax bill before you stepped in vs. after (keep it anonymous, obviously). Cleaners: Show the oven before and after the scrub. Fitness Coaches: We all know the classic transformation photo—it works because it’s proof.
What to do first: Start taking photos of every single job. Even if you don't use them all, you need a library. A simple phone photo is better than a polished stock photo every single day of the week. People want to see real work, not a model holding a hammer.
2. Google Reviews: Your Most Valuable Business Asset
If you have 4 stars and your competitor in the next suburb has 4.8 stars with 100 reviews, you are losing money every single day. It is that simple.
Google reviews are the first thing people look at. They trust strangers on the internet more than they trust your sales pitch.
The Mistake: Most business owners wait for a happy customer to leave a review. They won’t. People only remember to leave reviews when they are angry. You have to be proactive.
The Fix: 1. Ask at the peak of excitement: For a builder, this is the day you hand over the keys. For a hair salon, it’s when the client looks in the mirror. 2. Make it easy: Create a QR code that links directly to your Google review page. Put it on your business card, your invoice, or even a sticker on your van. 3. Reply to every review: Even the bad ones. Especially the bad ones. If you handle a complaint professionally online, it shows potential customers that you’re a decent person who stands by their work.
3. Using Video to Build Instant Trust
People buy from people. If a potential customer can see your face and hear your voice—or better yet, hear a happy customer talking about you—the trust barrier vanishes.
You don't need a film crew. In fact, getting customers with simple 15-second videos is often more effective than a $10k corporate production because it feels real.
How to get a video testimonial: Next time a customer says, "Thanks mate, you did a great job," say this: "I’m so glad you’re happy! Would you mind if I grabbed a 30-second video of you saying that? It really helps my small business."
Most people will say yes. Just hold your phone up and ask them: 1. What was the problem you had? 2. How did we fix it? 3. Would you recommend us?
That’s it. Post that on your Facebook page and watch the difference it makes.
4. Don’t Just Get Likes, Get Enquiries
I see a lot of Brisbane business owners getting caught up in "engagement." They want lots of likes and comments. Likes don't pay the power bill.
You need to stop wasting time on likes and focus on content that proves you are the expert.
Instead of a meme, post a "Case Study." Headline: How we saved a Northside family $400 a month on their electricity. The Story: They had an old solar system that wasn't working. We came out, found the fault, and upgraded the inverter. The Result: Their latest bill was the lowest they’ve had in five years. Call to Action: Want us to check your system? Call us on [Number].
This is social proof in action. You aren't saying "I am a good sparky." You are proving it with a real-world example.
5. Show Your Face and Your Team
One of the easiest ways to build trust is to show that you are a real local business. People in Brisbane like supporting local legends.
Post photos of: Your team at the morning toolbox talk. You grabbing a coffee at the local cafe before a big job. Your van parked out the front of a recognisable Brisbane landmark or suburb sign.
It sounds simple, but it removes the "faceless corporation" feel. It makes you a neighbour, not just a contractor.
6. High-Value Clients Want Proof of Expertise
If you are chasing bigger jobs—commercial contracts or high-end residential work—the stakes are higher. These clients are more risk-averse. They need to see that you’ve handled projects of their scale before.
To get more high-value clients, your social proof needs to be more detailed.
Certifications: Show off your licenses and trade memberships. Logos: If you’ve done work for a well-known local brand (like a popular restaurant or a local council), put their logo on your website. Detailed Projects: Instead of one photo, create a gallery of a large project from start to finish.
7. What is a Waste of Money?
I’ll be blunt: paying for fake reviews is the fastest way to kill your business. Google is smart, and customers are smarter. If they see 50 reviews that all sound the same and were posted on the same day, they’ll run a mile.
Also, don't waste money on fancy "awards" that you have to pay to enter. Most savvy business owners know these are just paid trophies. Focus on what your actual customers say, not a plaque you bought for your wall.
8. How Long Until You See Results?
Social proof is a snowball. Week 1: You start asking for reviews and taking photos. You might get one or two. Month 3: You have 20 fresh reviews and a gallery of work. You notice that when people call, they say "I saw your reviews online." Year 1: You are the top-rated business in your suburb. You can start charging more because people know you are the best and are willing to pay for the certainty that the job will be done right.
Step-by-Step Action Plan
If you want more customers by this time next month, do this:
1. Today: Go through your phone and find the last 5 jobs you did. Post one photo of each to your business Facebook or Instagram page with a short sentence about what you did. 2. Tomorrow: Identify your 10 happiest customers from the last year. Call them or text them personally and ask for a Google review. Send them the link directly. 3. Next Week: Buy a cheap phone tripod (about $20 from Kmart) and film yourself explaining one common problem your customers have and how you fix it. 4. Every Day: Take a "before" and "after" photo of every job. No exceptions.
Need Help Getting the Phone to Ring?
Most business owners are too busy actually working to spend hours on their marketing. We get it. You're on the tools, in the shop, or in meetings all day.
At Local Marketing Group, we specialise in taking the guesswork out of growing your business. We don't care about fancy buzzwords; we care about getting you more enquiries and more profit.
If you want a hand setting up a system that brings in customers on autopilot, let’s have a chat.
Contact us today at https://lmgroup.au/contact and let’s get your business growing.