Why Reddit is the Best (and Worst) Place for Your Business
If you’re a business owner in Brisbane—whether you’re running a landscaping crew in Chermside or a boutique law firm in the CBD—you’ve probably heard of Reddit. You might even use it yourself to look up reviews for a new ute or to see what people are saying about the latest construction projects around the Gabba.
But here’s the thing: most business owners who try to use Reddit for marketing fail miserably. They go in, post a link to their website, and get banned within ten minutes. They walk away thinking, "Well, that was a waste of time," and go back to burning money on Facebook ads that nobody clicks on.
I’m here to tell you that Reddit can be a goldmine for local customers, but only if you stop treating it like a billboard. On Reddit, people aren't there to see ads. They are there to get answers, solve problems, and talk to real humans. If you can be that "real human" who happens to own a business, you’ll see more phone calls and high-quality enquiries than you ever thought possible.
In this guide, I’m going to show you the common mistakes that kill your chances on Reddit and how to actually use the platform to put money in your pocket.
The "Sales Pitch" Mistake: Why Your Ads Are Getting Deleted
The biggest mistake I see Brisbane business owners make is treated Reddit like the Yellow Pages. They create an account called "BestPlumberBrisbane123" and immediately start posting: "Need a plumber? Call us for 10% off!"
On Reddit, this is the fastest way to get blocked. Reddit users (called Redditors) have a very high "BS meter." They hate being sold to. If you walk into a pub in West End and start shouting about your carpet cleaning prices while people are trying to watch the footy, you’ll get kicked out. Reddit is exactly the same.
What to do instead:
Stop trying to sell and start trying to help. If you're a plumber, look for people in the r/Brisbane or r/Queensland communities asking why their hot water system is making a clanging noise. Give them a genuine, honest answer. Tell them what the problem might be and how they might be able to fix a small part of it themselves.When you provide value first, people naturally ask, "Do you do this professionally?" That is the moment you've won. You didn't push; they pulled. That's how you get more local customers without looking like a desperate salesman.
Mistake #2: Ignoring the "Local" in Local Marketing
I’ve spoken to a lot of business owners who spend hours on massive global subreddits (that’s what Reddit calls its forums) like r/Business or r/SmallBusiness. Unless you’re selling a digital product to the entire world, these are a complete waste of your time.
If you’re a sparky in Logan, you don't care what a guy in New York thinks about your wiring tips. You need to be where your customers are. For us, that means r/Brisbane, r/GoldCoast, or even specific niche groups like r/AusRenovation or r/AusFinance.
Why local subreddits matter:
1. Trust: If you mention you’re based in Milton, people immediately trust you more than some faceless company. 2. Relevance: People in r/Brisbane are often looking for recommendations for mechanics, dentists, or builders. Being the person who gives a helpful tip about local council regulations makes you the obvious choice when they need to hire someone. 3. Less Competition: While big brands spend millions on TV ads, they almost never touch local Reddit threads. It’s an open field for you.The "Ghost Town" Account: Why You Need a History
Another huge mistake is creating an account and trying to post a link immediately. Reddit has automated systems that look for "spammy" behaviour. If your account is one hour old and your first move is to post a link to your website, you’re gone.
Reddit wants to see that you are a member of the community. I tell my mates who run businesses to spend just 10 minutes a day for a week just being a person. Comment on a photo of a sunset over the Story Bridge. Answer a question about the best coffee in Paddington. Build up what Reddit calls "Karma" (points you get when people like your comments).
If you don't have a history of being helpful, nobody will listen when you finally mention your business. You need to build a customer base that actually trusts your word before you can expect them to open their wallets.
Stop Using Marketing Jargon
If you use words like "synergy," "end-to-end solutions," or "leverage" on Reddit, people will smell the marketing department from a mile away. Small business owners have a massive advantage here because you actually know your trade. You speak like a real person.
If a mechanic says, "We offer comprehensive diagnostic evaluations for automotive cooling systems," a Redditor will roll their eyes. If that same mechanic says, "Your radiator is probably shot because the plastic housing Brisbane heat usually cracks them after five years," that mechanic just got a new customer.
Speak like you’re talking to a mate over a BBQ. Be blunt, be honest, and don't be afraid to tell someone when they don't need to spend money. Ironically, telling someone they don't need your most expensive service is the fastest way to get them to hire you for everything else.
The "Set and Forget" Trap
Reddit moves fast. If someone asks for a recommendation for a fence builder in the northern suburbs and you reply three days later, you’ve missed the boat. The person has probably already called three other people they found on Google.
Marketing on Reddit isn't a "campaign" you set up and leave. It’s a conversation. You need to be checking in. However, I know you're busy. You're running a business, not sitting on your phone all day.
The Pro Tip: Use a tool like "GummySearch" or even just a simple Google Alert for keywords like "Brisbane plumber" or "Accountant recommendation Brisbane." This way, you only go to Reddit when someone is literally asking for exactly what you do. It saves you hours of scrolling and ensures you're only spending time where the money is.
Thinking Reddit is Free (It’s Not)
People think Reddit is a "free" marketing channel. Technically, it costs zero dollars to make an account. But as a business owner, your time is your most expensive asset. If you spend three hours a day arguing with strangers in r/Australia, you’ve just spent hundreds of dollars of your own time for zero return.
To make Reddit profitable, you have to be disciplined. - Goal: Find 2-3 people a week who need help in your industry. - Action: Give them a 5-minute helpful response. - Result: One of those becomes a lead.
If you do it this way, it’s the cheapest lead generation you’ll ever find. If you do it the wrong way, it’s a black hole for your productivity. You want to focus on making your posts go further by being efficient, not by being addicted to the app.
How to Handle Negative Comments
This is the part that scares most Brisbane business owners. What if someone says something bad about you? On Facebook, you can just delete the comment. On Reddit, you can't. If you try to hide, the community will eat you alive.
If someone complains about your service on a public thread, don't get defensive. Don't threaten them with a lawyer.
Try this instead: "Hey, I’m the owner of that shop. I’m really sorry you had that experience—that’s not how we do things. Can you send me a private message? I want to make this right personally."
When other people see you handling a complaint like a professional, it actually builds more trust than if you had only perfect reviews. It shows there is a real person behind the business who gives a damn.
When Should You Use Paid Reddit Ads?
Reddit does have a paid advertising platform where you can show up at the top of the feed. For most small local businesses, I’d say save your money.
Unless you have a very specific niche (like a specialized gym or a very unique product), Google Ads or local SEO are usually going to give you a better return on your investment. Reddit ads are better for big brands or national companies. For a local tradie or shop, the "organic" (free) way of just being helpful in local groups is 10x more effective.
Your 3-Step Plan to Get Started Today
You don't need a marketing degree to do this. You just need to be a helpful local expert. Here is exactly what I would do if I were you:
1. Create an account with a human name. Not "ABC Tiling PTY LTD." Use something like "Dave-ABCTiling." It shows you represent a business but you’re still a person. 2. Join the right groups. Join r/Brisbane, r/Queensland, and any group related to your trade (like r/AusRenovation for builders). 3. Search for your service. Use the search bar at the top to look for keywords like "recommendation," "help," or "how do I" related to your business. If you see a question from the last few days, answer it.
Is it worth the effort?
I’ve seen a small boutique accounting firm in Toowong pull in three high-value clients in a single month just by answering tax questions on Reddit. These weren't people clicking on ads; these were people who felt they already knew the accountant because he’d helped them for free online.
It takes time to build that reputation, usually about 4-6 weeks of consistent (but brief) effort before you see the phone start ringing. But once it starts, it’s a steady stream of customers who already trust you before they’ve even met you.
Need Help Navigating the Local Market?
Look, I get it. You’re busy. You’ve got a business to run, staff to manage, and a life to live. While Reddit is powerful, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Most of the business owners we work with at Local Marketing Group don't want to spend their evenings on Reddit—they just want the phone to ring.
We specialise in helping Brisbane businesses get noticed by the right people at the right time. We don't care about "likes" or "engagement metrics"—we care about your bank balance. If you want to stop guessing and start growing, let’s have a chat.
Ready to get more customers without the headache? Contact Local Marketing Group today and let’s see how we can grow your business together.