Why You’re Probably Hating Social Media Right Now
If you’re running a plumbing business in Coorparoo or a boutique shop in Paddington, you know the drill. Everyone tells you that you need to be on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. So, you spend your Sunday night trying to think of something clever to say, or you take a photo of a finished job on Monday morning and then forget to post it for three weeks.
It feels like a massive chore that doesn't actually put money in the bank.
I’ve spoken to hundreds of Brisbane business owners who feel the exact same way. They feel guilty when they don't post, but when they do, they get three likes (one from their mum) and zero phone calls.
Here’s the truth: Most small business owners are doing social media the hard way. They are doing it manually, one post at a time, whenever they remember. It’s inconsistent, it’s stressful, and it’s a waste of your time.
There is a better way. By using simple automation and AI tools, you can have a professional social media presence that runs in the background while you’re actually on the tools or meeting clients. This isn't about being a "tech whiz"—it’s about using smart automation systems to win back your time.
What is Automated Social Media (And Will It Make Me Money?)
Let’s cut the fluff. Automated social media just means using software to do the heavy lifting for you. Instead of logging in every day to post, you spend one hour a month setting everything up, and the software handles the rest.
But does it actually result in more customers?
Yes, but only if you do it right. People buy from businesses they trust. If a homeowner in North Lakes looks up two different electricians, and one hasn't posted since 2021 while the other has fresh photos of recent work and helpful tips posted every few days, who do you think they’re going to call?
Automation keeps you "top of mind." It makes you look established, professional, and busy. And in business, looking busy often leads to actually being busy.
The Three Pillars of a Social Media System That Works
To make this work without losing your mind, you need three things: 1. A way to create ideas quickly (so you aren't staring at a blank screen). 2. A way to schedule everything in advance (so it happens automatically). 3. A way to turn comments into customers (so you don't miss out on leads).
1. Stop Staring at the Screen: Let AI Write Your Posts
The hardest part of social media is knowing what to say. You’re an expert at what you do, but you’re probably not a professional writer.
This is where AI tools come in. You can tell a tool like ChatGPT: "I’m a deck builder in Carindale. Give me five tips for homeowners to maintain their timber decks in the Queensland sun."
In ten seconds, you have a week's worth of content. You don't have to use exactly what it gives you, but it gives you a massive head start. I tell my mates to think of AI as a very fast, slightly robotic junior assistant. You still need to check their work, but they save you hours of thinking. Using AI for lead generation is the fastest way to stop overthinking and start posting.
2. The "Set and Forget" Schedule
Once you have your ideas, you need to get them out there. Tools like Meta Business Suite (which is free) or paid tools like Buffer and Hootsuite allow you to upload your photos and text for the next month all at once.
Imagine sitting down on the first Monday of the month, sipping a coffee, and hitting "schedule" on 12 posts. For the rest of the month, your phone stays in your pocket, but your business is appearing in front of thousands of local people.
3. Turning Likes into Leads
Posting is great, but phone calls are better. Automation can help here too. If someone comments on your post asking "How much for a quote?", you don't want that sitting there for three days.
You can set up simple "auto-responders" that instantly reply: "Thanks for reaching out! The best way to get a fast quote is to call us on [Your Number] or visit our website."
How Much Does This Cost?
I’m going to be blunt: you can do this for free, or you can spend a bit of money to save a lot of time.
The Free Way: Use ChatGPT (free version) to write posts and Meta Business Suite to schedule them. Cost: $0. Time: 2-3 hours a month. The Pro Way: Use paid AI tools and a dedicated scheduling platform. Cost: $50 - $150 per month. Time: 1 hour a month. The "Do It For Me" Way: Hire an agency like us to handle the whole lot. Cost: $500 - $2,000+ per month. Time: 0 hours a month.
For most small businesses in Brisbane, the "Pro Way" is the sweet spot. It’s cheap enough to be a tax deduction and saves you from the headache of doing it yourself.
What’s a Waste of Money?
Don't get sucked into buying "engagement packages" or paying people to get you thousands of followers from overseas. If you’re a lawn mower in Chermside, 5,000 followers in Eastern Europe will not help you pay your mortgage.
Focus on local relevance. Mention your local suburbs. Show photos of your truck parked in front of recognizable Brisbane landmarks. One local lead is worth more than a million fake likes.
How Long Until You See Results?
Social media is a slow burn. If you start today, you won't have 50 new customers by Friday.
However, within 3 to 6 months of consistent, automated posting, you will notice something: when you talk to new customers, they’ll say, "Yeah, I saw your stuff on Facebook." It builds a layer of trust that makes closing the sale much easier.
If you want faster results, you need to look at how to get found on Google, which is where people go when they need a problem solved right now*.
Your First Three Steps
If you’re ready to stop wasting time, do this today:
1. Take 5 photos of work you did this week. Don't worry about them being perfect; real is better than polished. 2. Ask an AI tool to write 5 short captions for those photos. 3. Schedule them using Meta Business Suite for the next two weeks.
That’s it. You’ve just automated your social media for the next fortnight.
Need a Hand Getting Started?
Running a business is hard enough without worrying about hashtags and posting schedules. At Local Marketing Group, we help Brisbane businesses set up systems that actually work—so you can focus on your customers while we handle the tech.
If you want to see how automation can grow your business without adding to your workload, let's have a chat.
Contact us today at https://lmgroup.au/contact