Why Most Brisbane Business Owners Are Wrong About Discord
If you’ve heard of Discord, you probably think it’s a place for teenagers playing video games in their bedrooms. You might think it has nothing to do with your plumbing business in Coorparoo or your boutique furniture shop in Fortitude Valley.
I’m here to tell you that most of what you’ve heard is rubbish.
While everyone else is fighting the losing battle of the Facebook and Instagram algorithms—posting content that nobody sees and shouting into the void—smart business owners are moving their best customers into private communities.
In this guide, I’m going to show you why building a private community (like a Discord server) is the fastest way to stop wasting money on ads and start getting repeat business. We’re going to bust the myths that keep small business owners stuck and give you a straight-up plan to make more money.
Myth #1: "It’s Just for Gamers"
Let’s kill this one right now. Yes, Discord started with gamers. Just like Facebook started for uni students and the internet started for scientists.
Today, Discord is simply a tool that lets you talk directly to your customers without a middleman. Think of it like a private clubhouse for your business.
Imagine you run a local landscaping business. On Facebook, you post a photo of a new deck, and maybe 5% of your followers see it. On Discord, you have a group of 200 past customers. When you post that you have a last-minute cancellation for next Tuesday, all 200 get a notification on their phone.
That’s not a "gaming app." That’s a direct line to your bank account.
I’ve seen this work for professional services too. We worked with a consultant in Milton who moved their client communication to a private server. Instead of losing emails in a messy inbox, they had organized channels for different projects. The clients loved the VIP feel, and the consultant spent 50% less time on the phone.
Myth #2: "It Takes Too Much Time"
I hear this constantly: "I don’t have time to moderate a chat room all day."
Here’s the truth: You’re already wasting hours on social media. You’re likely wasting hours on posts that don't actually bring in a single dollar.
Building a community is about efficiency. Instead of answering the same question ten times via email or phone, you answer it once in your community. Your other customers see the answer. Sometimes, your long-term customers will even answer the question for you before you even see it.
In a local business, your staff are your best asset. By turning staff into sales stars, you can have them spend 15 minutes a day checking the community, answering questions, and booking in jobs. It’s significantly faster than cold-calling or managing an overflowing inbox.
The Real Cost: What Will This Actually Set You Back?
Let’s talk money. Small business owners hate hidden costs, and rightly so.
The Software: Discord is free. There is a paid version called "Nitro," but for 99% of Brisbane businesses, you don’t need it. Your cost for the platform is $0. Setup Time: If you know what you’re doing, you can have a professional-looking server ready in two hours. If you’re doing it yourself for the first time, give yourself a weekend. Management: This is the real cost. You need someone to keep an eye on it. If you’re a solo operator, that’s you. If you have a team, it’s one of them. Budget 20-30 minutes a day.
When will you see results? This isn't a "get rich quick" scheme. If you launch a server today, you won't have a million dollars tomorrow. However, within 30 to 60 days, you should see a noticeable increase in "repeat" interactions. You’ll see customers who bought from you once coming back for a second or third time because you’ve stayed top-of-mind.
How to Build a Community That Actually Makes Money
Don't just open a server and invite everyone. That’s a recipe for a ghost town. Follow these steps to ensure your community actually grows your business.
1. Give Them a Reason to Join
Nobody needs another app on their phone for no reason. You have to offer something they can't get elsewhere. Tradies: Offer a "Priority Booking" channel where members get first dibs on emergency slots. Retail: Give them a 24-hour head start on sales before they go live on your website. Services: Offer a monthly "Ask Me Anything" session where you give free advice for 30 minutes.2. Keep It Simple
Don't create 50 different channels. You’ll confuse people. Start with three: 1. #Announcements: Only you can post here. Important updates and offers. 2. #General-Chat: Where customers can talk to you and each other. 3. #Help-and-Support: Where they can ask questions about your products or services.3. Make It Local
If you’re a Brisbane business, lean into it. Talk about the weather, the local footy, or the roadworks on Gympie Road. People join these communities because they want a human connection, not a corporate robot.Why Your Competitors Are Failing at This
Most businesses treat Discord like a billboard. They just post ads.
That is a waste of money.
If you just want to post ads, stay on Facebook. A community is about conversation. If a customer asks a question about a product, don't just send them a link to buy. Explain why it works, ask them what they need it for, and show some personality.
I’ve seen a local bike shop in Chermside absolutely crush it by doing this. They don't just sell bikes; they help people plan weekend rides. Because they provide value first, when someone needs a $4,000 mountain bike, they don't even look at other shops. They go straight to the guys they’ve been chatting with on Discord.
Is Discord Right for Your Business?
I'll be blunt: It’s not for everyone.
Do it if: Your customers buy from you more than once a year. You sell something that people have questions about. You want to build a brand that people actually care about.
Don't do it if: You sell a one-off product that people never need again. You hate talking to your customers. You aren't willing to check the app at least once a day.
What to Do First
If you’re ready to stop renting your audience from Mark Zuckerberg and start owning your customer list, here is your weekend homework:
1. Download Discord on your phone and computer. 2. Create a Server and name it after your business. 3. Create Two Channels: One for "Offers" and one for "Chat." 4. Invite Your Top 10 Customers. Tell them it’s a new VIP group you’re testing out. Ask them what they’d like to see in there.
Most of what you read online about social media is focused on getting "reach." But reach doesn't pay the bills. Phone calls and invoices do. By moving your best people into a private space, you’re protecting your business from the next time a social media giant decides to change the rules and hide your posts.
Building a community is one of the smartest long-term moves you can make for your Brisbane small business. It’s low cost, high impact, and it puts you back in control of your sales.
Need help getting more customers through the door? At Local Marketing Group, we don't care about vanity metrics like likes or followers. We care about your bottom line. If you want a marketing strategy that actually works for your Brisbane business, let’s chat.