Stop Wasting Money on Fancy Video Shoots
If you’re running a business in Brisbane—whether you’re a sparky in Coorparoo or a lawyer in the CBD—you know that video works. You’ve seen your competitors posting videos on Facebook and Instagram, and you know that people would rather watch a 30-second clip than read a wall of text.
But here is the problem: hiring a professional film crew is bloody expensive. By the time you pay for a cameraman, lighting, editing, and three rounds of changes, you’ve spent five grand before the ad even goes live. For most small business owners, that’s a massive gamble. What if the ad doesn't bring in enough phone calls to cover the cost?
This is where AI video generation comes in. It’s a way to get high-quality, professional-looking video ads without the massive price tag or the headache of being on camera yourself if you're camera-shy.
In this guide, I’m going to show you how to use these tools to actually make more money, rather than just playing with shiny new tech. We’ve seen local businesses use these methods to fill their calendars while their competitors are still trying to figure out how to turn on a GoPro.
The Three Ways to Use AI Video for Your Business
There isn’t just one "AI video" tool. Depending on what you do—whether you sell a service or a physical product—you’ll want to take a different approach. Here are the three main ways I’ve seen Brisbane business owners get results.
1. The "Talking Head" Avatar (Perfect for Professional Services)
Imagine you’re a mortgage broker or an accountant. People buy from you because they trust your expertise. Usually, that means you have to sit in front of a camera and record yourself.With AI, you can now use "avatars." You type in a script, and a digital person (who looks and sounds incredibly real) speaks your words.
The Benefit: You don't have to worry about mess-ups, bad hair days, or stuttering. You can produce 10 different ads in the time it used to take to do one. The Cost: Usually a monthly subscription of around $30 to $100. The Result: More enquiries because you’re constantly putting helpful advice in front of your customers.
2. The "Product Showcase" (Great for Tradies and Shops)
If you’re a landscaper or you run a boutique shop in Paddington, you don't need a talking head. You need people to see your work.AI tools can now take a few photos of your finished job—say, a new deck or a renovated kitchen—and turn them into a cinematic video with moving parts, professional voiceovers, and upbeat music.
The Benefit: It makes a standard job look like a million-dollar project. The Cost: Very low. Often included in basic video editing apps. The Result: Your Facebook ads look ten times better than the bloke down the road who just posted a blurry photo.
3. Personalised Video Messages (The Secret Weapon for Sales)
This is where the real money is made. Some AI tools allow you to record one video, and then the AI changes the greeting for every single person on your list.Imagine a potential customer fills out a form on your website. Five minutes later, they get a video from you saying, "Hey John, thanks for reaching out about the plumbing job in Chermside..." but you never actually sat down to record it for John specifically. The AI did the heavy lifting.
Using AI marketing automation like this is how small teams beat much larger companies. It makes the customer feel like they are your only priority.
Is This a Waste of Time? (The Honest Truth)
I’ll be blunt: most people use AI wrong. They get excited about the technology and forget that the goal is to sell something.
If you create a video that looks cool but doesn't tell the customer what to do next (like "Call us for a quote" or "Book online"), you’ve wasted your time. AI is a tool to help you win jobs with less effort, not a toy to play with on your lunch break.
I’ve seen a local carpet cleaner spend hours making a "perfect" AI video that didn't even mention he serviced the Northside. Don't be that guy. Keep your videos focused on the problem you solve for your customers.
Comparison: AI vs. Traditional Video
Let’s look at the numbers because that’s what actually matters to your bank account.
Traditional Video Shoot: Cost: $2,000 - $7,000 per video. Time: 2 weeks for planning, filming, and editing. Flexibility: Zero. If you want to change one sentence, you have to reshoot.
AI Generated Ads: Cost: $50 - $200 per month (unlimited videos). Time: 15 minutes. Flexibility: High. If an ad isn't working, you can change the script and have a new version live in minutes.
For a small business, the choice is obvious. You are better off having five "pretty good" AI videos running than one "perfect" professional video that you’re too scared to change because it cost so much.
How to Get Started Today
You don't need a degree in computer science to do this. If you can send an email, you can use these tools. Here is the step-by-step plan I’d give to a mate:
1. Write a Simple Script: Don't overthink it. Focus on: The problem (e.g., "Leaky tap driving you crazy?"), The solution ("We fix it today"), and the Call to Action ("Call us now"). If you're stuck, you can get content ideas using simple AI prompts to get the ball rolling. 2. Pick a Tool: Start with something simple like HeyGen for talking people or Canva’s Magic Media for turning photos into videos. 3. Keep it Short: People have short attention spans. Keep your ads under 30 seconds. 4. Test It: Put $10 a day behind it on Facebook. If the phone rings, keep going. If it doesn't, change the script and try again.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve watched dozens of Brisbane businesses try this, and here is where they usually trip up:
Making it look "Too AI": If the voice sounds like a robot from a 1980s movie, people will click away. Use the "Natural" or "Pro" voice settings. It's worth the extra couple of dollars. Ignoring the First 3 Seconds: If you don't grab their attention immediately, they’ll keep scrolling. Start with a big claim or a common frustration.
- Poor Sound Quality: Even if the video is AI-generated, make sure the background music isn't drowning out the words. If people can't hear the offer, they won't buy.
The Verdict: Will This Make You Money?
Yes, but only if you use it to solve a business problem. If you’re struggling to find the time to market your business because you’re out on the tools or stuck in meetings all day, AI video is a lifesaver. It allows you to be in two places at once.
It’s not about being "high-tech"; it's about being efficient. It’s about making sure that when someone in your local area is looking for a service you provide, they see a professional, engaging video of your business instead of a static, boring post from your competitor.
At the end of the day, your customers don't care if a human or a computer edited your video. They care if you can fix their problem, show up on time, and provide a fair price. AI video just helps you tell them that faster and cheaper than ever before.
Ready to grow your business without the stress?
If you’re too busy running your business to spend your nights messing around with AI tools, we can help. At Local Marketing Group, we specialise in getting Brisbane businesses more phone calls and bookings using the latest tech that actually works.
Stop wondering "what if" and start getting results. Contact us today to see how we can help you grow.