Why Your Competitors Are Winning (and It’s Not Their Prices)
I was sitting down with a cabinet maker in Brendale last month. He’s one of the best in the business—meticulous work, fair prices, and he actually shows up when he says he will. But he was frustrated. He kept losing out on big kitchen renovations to a younger guy down the road who, frankly, did average work.
When we looked into why, the answer was simple: the competitor was constantly on Facebook and Instagram Live. He wasn’t a movie star. He was just showing off the 'behind the scenes' of his workshop, answering questions in real-time, and showing finished jobs.
By the time a homeowner called that guy, they already felt like they knew him. They trusted him. My mate in Brendale was just a name on a quote; the other guy was a person they’d already 'met' online.
In 2024, the biggest hurdle for any Brisbane business isn't your price—it's whether people trust you enough to pick up the phone. Live streaming is the fastest way to build that trust. It’s raw, it’s real, and it works because it can't be faked.
The Two Ways to Do Live Video (One is a Massive Waste of Money)
Most business owners hear "live streaming" and think they need a film crew, expensive lights, and a script. That is the quickest way to flush money down the drain.
There are really only two ways to approach this. Let’s look at what actually brings in the cash versus what just makes you look like you’re trying too hard.
Approach 1: The "Over-Produced" Trap
I’ve seen businesses spend $5,000 on a professional live-stream setup for a single event. They hire a camera crew, use fancy graphics, and spend weeks rehearsing.The Result: It looks like a TV commercial. And guess what? People skip commercials. It feels stiff, corporate, and boring. You might get a few likes, but you won't get people's pulses racing. More importantly, the cost is so high that you can't afford to do it often.
Approach 2: The "Authentic Expert" (The Money Maker)
This is what we recommend to 99% of our clients at Local Marketing Group. You use the phone that's already in your pocket. You go live when you're on a job site, in your shop, or at your desk. You talk to the camera like you're talking to a mate at the pub.The Result: People see the real you. They see your expertise. If you're a mechanic in Coorparoo and you go live to show exactly why a European car's brakes are squeaking, you aren't just "marketing." You're proving you know your stuff. This is how showing the real you wins more local customers than any glossy brochure ever could.
Does This Actually Make Money?
You’re busy. You don't have time to play around on social media for the sake of it. You want to know if this turns into bank deposits.
Here is how live video puts money in your pocket:
1. It Cuts Down the Sales Cycle: Usually, a customer has to visit your site, read your reviews, and maybe email you before they trust you. Live video lets them skip three steps. They see you, they like you, they call you. 2. Google Likes It: When you post videos, Google notices that people are engaging with your brand. It helps your overall presence online. In fact, video gets customers and helps you show up where people are actually looking. 3. It Saves You Time: Instead of answering the same five questions on every sales call, do a 10-minute live Q&A. Send the link to anyone who asks those questions in the future.
What Should You Actually Talk About?
Don't overthink this. You don't need a script. In fact, scripts make you sound like a robot. Here are three things you can go live with tomorrow that will actually get people to reach out:
1. The "Job Site Walkthrough"
If you’re a tradie, this is your bread and butter. Finished a deck in Paddington? Go live for 3 minutes. Show the joinery. Show the view. Explain why you chose that specific timber. It’s not bragging; it’s a portfolio that breathes.2. The "Myth Buster"
Every industry has things customers get wrong. If you're an accountant, go live and explain why that "tax hack" everyone saw on TikTok is actually going to get them audited. You become the trusted authority instantly.3. The "Live Quote"
Show a common problem (like a leaking tap or a cracked phone screen) and explain exactly what it costs to fix and why. People love price transparency. It removes the fear of being ripped off."But I Hate Being on Camera!"
I get it. Most of the business owners I talk to in Brisbane would rather spend a day digging holes in 35-degree heat than stand in front of a camera.
But here’s the blunt truth: your customers don't care if you have a "face for radio" or if you stumble over a word. They want to see your hands working and hear your honest advice. They want to know that if they hire you, a real human being is going to show up at their door.
If you're really nervous, start by not showing your face. Hold the phone and point it at the work you're doing. Talk while you work. It’s a great way to get more enquiries without feeling like you're auditioning for a movie.
The Cost: What Are We Talking About?
If you do this yourself, the cost is $0.
You already pay for your phone and your data plan. The only "cost" is 10 minutes of your time once or twice a week.
Compare that to: Yellow Pages: Thousands of dollars for a book people use to prop up uneven tables. Radio Ads: Thousands of dollars to reach people in Ipswich when you only work in the Bayside. Flyers: Printing and delivery costs, only to have them end up in the recycling bin.
Live video is the highest-ROI marketing tool available to a small business today because the entry cost is nothing but a bit of courage.
How to Start (The 3-Step Plan)
Don't wait until you have the "perfect" idea. If you wait for perfect, you’ll be waiting while your competitors take your leads.
1. Pick a Platform: Where do your customers hang out? If you’re a landscaper, it’s probably Facebook or Instagram. If you’re a recruiter, it’s LinkedIn. Pick one. Don't try to do all of them. 2. Set a Timer: Promise yourself you’ll go live for just 2 minutes. Talk about one thing you did today that helped a customer. 3. End with an Action: Always tell them what to do next. "If you want your garden to look like this before Christmas, give me a buzz on the number in my bio."
A Word of Warning
Most people get this wrong by making it all about themselves. "Look at my new truck," or "Look at our new office."
Nobody cares about your truck. They care about their* problem. Always frame your video around how you are solving a problem for a local Brisbane resident. Show the leaky roof you just fixed so the family can sleep dry tonight. That’s what gets the phone ringing.
Ready to Grow?
Live streaming isn't some tech-wizardry for kids; it's a direct line to your future customers' pockets. It's about showing up, being real, and proving you're the best person for the job.
If you’re too busy running your business to worry about which buttons to press, or you want a professional strategy to make sure your videos actually turn into sales, that’s where we come in.
At Local Marketing Group, we help Brisbane businesses stop shouting into the void and start getting real results. We don't care about "likes"—we care about your phone ringing.
Want to see how we can help you dominate your local area? Contact us today at lmgroup.au/contact and let’s get your business moving.