Why Brisbane Business Owners are Moving to Video Podcasts
I’ve sat down with dozens of business owners across Brisbane—from electricians in Coorparoo to law firms in the CBD—and they all tell me the same thing: "I’m sick of paying for ads that don't result in phone calls."
If you want more customers, you need them to trust you. A video podcast is the fastest way to do that. It’s not about being a 'media star' or getting millions of views. It’s about showing potential customers that you know your stuff. When a homeowner sees you explaining how to spot a roof leak, or a local business owner hears you talk about commercial insurance, they stop seeing you as a salesman and start seeing you as the expert.
Most people think a podcast is just audio. That’s a mistake. If you’re going to sit down and talk for 20 minutes, you must film it. Why? Because one video can be cut into twenty small clips for Facebook and Instagram. It’s the highest-leverage thing you can do with your time.
The Real Cost: What You Actually Need to Spend
Don't let some 'creative agency' tell you that you need a $10,000 studio. I’ve seen businesses in Fortitude Valley waste five figures on gear they don't know how to use.
Here is the data-backed reality: your customers care about the value of the information, not whether you used a cinema-grade camera. However, there is a minimum standard. If your audio sounds like you're underwater, people will hang up.
The "Starter" Budget ($500 - $800): Microphones: Two 'dynamic' USB mics (about $150 each). These don't pick up background noise like the wind or your aircon. Lighting: One large 'ring light' or a basic LED panel ($100). Camera: Your modern smartphone. Honestly, the camera on an iPhone 13 or newer is better than most $1,000 cameras from five years ago.
The "Pro-Local" Budget ($2,500 - $4,000): Dedicated Cameras: Two Sony ZV-E10s. One on you, one on your guest. Audio Interface: A Rodecaster Pro II. This is the 'brain' that records everything onto an SD card so you don't need a computer in the room. Lighting: A three-point lighting kit to remove shadows from your face.
Step 1: Pick Your "Studio" (Hint: It’s Your Office)
You don't need a soundproof booth. You need a room with stuff in it. A room with carpet, curtains, and bookshelves is much better than a glass boardroom. Hard surfaces make your voice echo, which makes you sound amateur.
I worked with a real estate agent in Ascot who tried filming in a modern, glass-walled office. It sounded terrible. We moved him to his home library with a rug and some cushions, and the quality tripled instantly.
Step 2: The Setup That Actually Gets Results
To make sure visitors become customers, your setup needs to be permanent. If you have to spend 30 minutes setting up tripods and cables every time you want to record, you won't do it.
1. Desk/Table: Use a standard height table. Put your mics on 'boom arms' (the articulated metal arms) so they stay off the table. This stops the 'thumping' sound when you move your hands. 2. The Background: It should look like a place of business. If you're a builder, have some blueprints or high-quality tools in the background. If you're an accountant, a neat bookshelf works. Avoid plain white walls—they look like a hospital. 3. The Lighting: Never have a window behind you. You’ll just be a dark silhouette. Put the light in front of you, slightly to one side. This creates a natural shadow that makes you look better on camera.
Step 3: Recording Content That Makes Money
Stop talking about yourself. No one cares how long you've been in business or what your 'mission statement' is. They care about their problems.
Every episode should answer one specific question you get asked by customers every week. "How much does a kitchen renovation actually cost in Brisbane?" "What are the 3 things that void my business insurance?" "Why is my electricity bill so high this summer?"
When you answer these, you aren't 'marketing'—you're helping. This is how you get more sales without looking like a desperate telemarketer.
Step 4: Turning One Video into 20 Leads
This is where most Brisbane business owners fail. They record a 30-minute video, put it on YouTube, and get 12 views. They think, "Well, that was a waste of time."
It wasn't a waste; you just didn't finish the job. You need to take that 30-minute video and cut it into 60-second vertical clips. These clips are gold for Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Using vertical videos on your phone to share these 'knowledge nuggets' is how you stay top-of-mind. When someone in your local area sees a 45-second clip of you giving great advice, they might not call you today. But when their pipe bursts next month, you’re the only person they think of.
Common Mistakes to Avoid (The Money Pit)
Buying "4K" Everything: Most people watch your videos on a phone. They can't see the difference between 1080p and 4K. Don't spend an extra $2,000 on resolution no one sees. Over-editing: You don't need fancy transitions or 'Hollywood' effects. In fact, if it looks too polished, people trust it less. They want to see a real person, not a commercial. Waiting to be Perfect: Your first three episodes will be average. Record them, post them, and move on. I promise you, a 'good enough' video that exists is worth more than a 'perfect' video that's still on your hard drive.
- Hiring a Full-Time Videographer Too Early: Unless you're turning over $5M+, you don't need a full-time video person. You need a simple system you can run yourself, or a local agency to handle the editing for you.
How Long Until the Phone Rings?
This is not a 'get rich quick' scheme. If you need a sale by Friday to pay the rent, go knock on doors.
Video podcasting is about building a 'trust asset.' Usually, it takes about 8 to 12 weeks of consistent posting (one episode a week, with clips shared daily) before you start hearing, "Hey, I saw your video about X, can you help me with Y?"
Once that starts happening, it doesn't stop. It’s like compound interest for your reputation.
What Should You Do First?
1. Clear a corner of your office. That is now your 'content zone.' 2. Buy two decent microphones. I recommend the Shure MV7 or the Audio-Technica ATR2100x. 3. Write down the top 10 questions your customers asked you last month. 4. Record the first one this Friday. Don't script it. Just talk like you're explaining it to a mate at the pub.
If you're too busy running the business to worry about editing, lighting, or figuring out how to post it all, that's where we come in. At Local Marketing Group, we help Brisbane businesses turn their expertise into professional video content that actually brings in leads.
Stop shouting into the void with boring ads. Start talking to your customers.
Ready to get started? Contact Local Marketing Group today.