Why Most Brisbane Business Owners Get Video Wrong
I’ve sat down with hundreds of business owners across Brisbane—from electricians in Coorparoo to lawyers in the CBD—and almost all of them say the same thing: "I know I should be doing video, but I don't have the time, the budget, or the face for it."
Here is the truth: Most of what you’ve been told about video marketing is rubbish. You don’t need a $10,000 production crew, you don’t need a scriptwriter, and you certainly don’t need to be a movie star.
In fact, the high-gloss, over-produced videos that look like TV commercials often perform worse for small businesses. Why? Because they look like ads. And nobody likes being sold to. People in Brisbane want to buy from people they trust. They want to see the face of the person coming to fix their roof or handle their accounting.
This guide isn't about "going viral." It’s about making your phone ring. It’s about taking a stranger who found you on Google and turning them into a paying customer by showing them who you are and what you do.
The Goal: More Calls, Not More Likes
Before we talk about what to film, let’s get one thing straight. A million views on a video is useless if none of those people live in South East Queensland or need your services. We aren't chasing "clout." We are chasing bank deposits.
Video works for your business because it builds a shortcut to trust. If a homeowner sees a video of you explaining how you fix a common drainage issue in a local suburb like Ferny Grove, they already feel like they know you. When they call, they aren't asking "how much?"; they’re asking "when can you get here?"
What will this do for my business?
1. Saves you time: Stop answering the same five questions on every sales call. Send a video instead. 2. Increases your prices: People pay more for experts they trust. Video proves you’re the expert. 3. Closes sales faster: By the time someone finishes watching your video, they’ve already decided to hire you.Step 1: Start with What You Already Have
You probably have a $1,500 camera sitting in your pocket right now. An iPhone or Samsung from the last three years is more than enough to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in new business.
I recently worked with a landscaper in Morningside who was terrified of video. He thought he needed a professional crew. I told him to just pull out his phone and show the "before and after" of a retaining wall he’d just finished. He didn't even show his face; he just talked over the footage. That one simple clip led to three new enquiries within 48 hours.
You can get more customers using vertical videos without spending a cent on fancy gear. The "shaky cam" feel actually makes you look more authentic and less like a slick salesperson.
Step 2: What Should You Actually Film?
Don't overthink this. You don't need a storyboard. You just need to solve problems. Here are the four types of videos that actually make money for small businesses:
1. The "Frequently Asked Questions" Video
What are the five things every customer asks you? - "How long does it take?" - "Do I need to be home?" - "How much does the average job cost?" - "What happens if it rains?"Record a 60-second answer for each. Now, instead of spending 20 minutes on the phone repeating yourself, you have a library of videos that do the selling for you.
2. The "Proof of Work" Video
Show, don't just tell. If you’re a tiler, show the straight lines on that bathroom floor. If you’re a mechanic, show the gunk you pulled out of an engine. By showing your real business wins, you prove to local customers that you actually do what you say you do. It’s much harder to lie on video than it is in a written testimonial.3. The "Meet the Team" Video
If you have staff going into people’s homes, those homeowners are naturally a bit nervous. A quick video introduces your team, shows their uniforms, and lets the customer see their friendly faces. It lowers the barrier to entry and makes them much more likely to hit the 'Book Now' button.4. The "Direct Offer"
Sometimes you just need to ask for the business. "Hey, we've got an opening for two gutter cleans this Thursday in the Redlands area. If you want to get sorted before the storm season, click the link below."Step 3: Where to Put Your Videos
A video sitting on your hard drive makes $0. You need to put it where your customers are looking.
Your Website: Put a video on your homepage. It keeps people on the site longer, and Google likes this. When people stay on your site, Google thinks "this must be a good business" and shows you to more people. Google Business Profile: This is the map listing that shows up when people search for "Plumber near me." You can upload videos here. Most of your competitors are too lazy to do this. If a customer sees five plumbers and only one has a video showing their recent work, who do you think they’ll call? Facebook and Instagram: Don't worry about the "algorithm." Just post consistently so when someone looks you up to see if you're legit, they see you've been active recently.
Step 4: The "No-Nonsense" Setup
If you want to move beyond just holding your phone, here is the only gear you should consider. Anything more is a waste of money for a beginner.
1. A Lapel Mic ($50-$100): People will forgive bad video, but they will not tolerate bad sound. If they can't hear you over the wind or traffic, they'll click away. Buy a small mic that plugs into your phone. 2. A Tripod ($30): To stop the wobbles if you’re standing in one spot. 3. Natural Light (Free): Stand facing a window. Never have the window behind you, or you’ll look like a silhouette in a witness protection program.
How Much Will This Cost?
If you do it yourself: $0 to $150. If you hire a local pro to film 10-20 short videos in one day: $1,500 to $3,000.
For most Brisbane businesses, I recommend starting for free. Spend a month getting used to the camera. Once you see that simple videos actually sell and bring in real money, then you can look at investing in professional editing or better gear.
How Long Until I See Results?
This isn't a silver bullet. You won't post one video and retire on a yacht in Moreton Bay. However, I’ve seen businesses see a spike in enquiries within 2-4 weeks of consistently posting helpful content.
The real "win" is the long-term trust. Six months from now, you’ll have a library of videos that work for you 24/7, even while you’re sleeping or at the footy.
What’s a Waste of Money?
High-end Cinema Cameras: You aren't filming the next Mad Max. Your phone is fine. Logo Animations: Nobody cares about your logo spinning in 3D for 10 seconds. It just makes people skip the video. Actors: Never hire actors to pretend to be your staff or customers. People can smell the fakeness from a mile away. Use real people, real voices, and real Brisbane locations.
Your First Move
Tomorrow morning, when you get to your first job or open your shop, take 30 seconds to film a "Tip of the Day."
- "Hey, it’s Steve from Steve’s Electrical here in Chermside. One thing I see a lot of people get wrong with their smoke alarms is..."
At Local Marketing Group, we help Brisbane businesses cut through the noise and get actual results. We don't care about fancy awards; we care about your phone ringing. If you want a hand getting your video strategy off the ground without the headache, let’s chat.
Ready to grow your business? Contact Local Marketing Group today.