Stop Ignoring TikTok: It’s Not Just for Teenagers Anymore
If you’re running a business in Brisbane—whether you’re a commercial shopfitter in Fortitude Valley, a private security firm in Logan, or an accountant in the CBD—you’ve probably written off TikTok. You likely think it’s a waste of time filled with teenagers doing dance challenges.
I’m here to tell you that thinking is costing you money.
In the last 18 months, the biggest shift we’ve seen at Local Marketing Group isn’t on Facebook or LinkedIn. It’s on TikTok. We are seeing B2B (business-to-business) owners getting real enquiries, booking high-value consultations, and closing deals because of 60-second videos recorded on a phone.
This guide isn't about "going viral." It’s about using a free tool to get your business in front of other business owners who are ready to buy. It’s about making sure when a local manager needs a service, they think of you first.
Why Your Business Needs to Be on TikTok Now
Most business owners I talk to are frustrated. Facebook reach is down, and LinkedIn feels like a giant, boring networking event where everyone is shouting and no one is listening.
TikTok is different. The way the app works is designed to show your content to people who are interested in what you do, even if they don’t follow you yet.
It’s Where Your Customers Are Hiding
Think about the average business owner or manager in Queensland. They’re busy. They’re stressed. When they finally sit down at night, they aren't reading whitepapers. They’re scrolling through TikTok to decompress.If your video pops up showing them how you solved a problem for another local company, you’ve just leapfrogged your competitors who are still cold-calling or sending boring emails.
It Builds Trust Faster Than a Website
People buy from people. A polished website is fine, but a video of you standing at a job site or in your office explaining how you saved a client $5,000 builds instant trust. They see your face, hear your voice, and realise you actually know what you’re talking about. This is a massive shortcut to close more sales because the person on the other end already feels like they know you.What Kind of Videos Actually Make Money?
You don’t need a film crew. In fact, if your videos look too professional, people will swipe past them because they look like ads. The best performing content for Brisbane B2B companies is usually simple, raw, and helpful.
1. The "Behind the Scenes" Look
Show the scale of your operation. If you run a commercial cleaning business, show the massive warehouse you just finished. If you’re an IT provider, show the messy server room you just organised.Business owners love seeing how the sausage is made. It proves you have the equipment, the staff, and the experience to handle their work.
2. The "Save Them Money" Tip
Give away one small piece of advice for free. Electrician: "Here is the one thing business owners forget to check that doubles their power bill." Lawyer: "The one clause in your commercial lease that will cost you your bond." Wholesaler: "How to spot a dodgy supplier before you pay the invoice."When you provide value, you become the expert. When they have a bigger problem, they’ll call you, not the guy they found on a random Google search.
3. Answer the "Dumb" Questions
What are the top 10 questions your customers ask you every week? Each one of those is a TikTok video. "How long does a fit-out take?" "Why is shipping so expensive right now?" "Do I really need public liability insurance?"How Much Does This Cost?
This is the best part: it’s essentially free.
You already have a smartphone. That is all the equipment you need. You don’t need fancy lights or microphones to start.
Time: Expect to spend about 2 hours a week. That’s enough to film 3-4 short videos. Money: $0 if you do it yourself. If you want to get noticed without ads, you just need to be consistent.
If you decide to run paid ads later, you can start with as little as $10 a day, but I wouldn't recommend that until you've posted at least 20-30 free videos to see what people actually like.
The Step-by-Step Plan for the Next 30 Days
Don't overcomplicate this. Most people fail because they spend three weeks picking a username.
1. Set up a Business Account: It’s free and gives you better data on who is watching. 2. Film 3 Videos Today: Don’t edit them. Just talk to the camera like you’re talking to a mate at the pub about work. 3. Post Regularly: Aim for 3 times a week. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings are great for reaching other business owners. 4. Talk Local: Mention Brisbane, mention your suburb, mention the local weather. TikTok loves local content and will show it to people nearby.
What’s a Waste of Money?
Buying Followers: Never do this. It kills your account. Google and TikTok are smart; they’ll know your followers are fake and stop showing your videos to real people. Fancy Editing Apps: Use the tools inside TikTok. They are designed to be easy. Professional Presenters: No one wants to see an actor. They want to see you*, the person running the business.
When Will You See Results?
TikTok isn't a magic wand. You likely won't get a $50,000 contract from your first video.
However, I’ve seen Brisbane businesses start getting "warm" phone calls within 4 to 6 weeks. These are people who say, "I saw your video about EOFY tax changes and wanted to see if you could help us."
By month three, if you are consistent, your TikTok presence will be a lead-generation machine that works while you sleep.
Real Example: The Morningside Landscaper
We worked with a commercial landscaper who thought TikTok was a joke. He started posting 60-second clips of his team clearing overgrown industrial blocks. No music, just the sound of the machines and him explaining how they cleared a site in two days that usually takes a week.
Within two months, he landed a contract with a major property developer who had been "lurking" on his profile for weeks. The developer didn't care about the "algorithm"—he cared that the landscaper clearly had the gear and the grunt to do the job.
Ready to Start?
If you’re too busy to handle this, or you’ve tried and your social media isn't working, we can help. At Local Marketing Group, we specialise in making marketing work for real Brisbane businesses who need results, not just "likes."
You can reach out to us at https://lmgroup.au/contact to chat about how we can get your phone ringing.
Stop overthinking it. Grab your phone, go outside, and tell people why your business is the best at what it does. The customers are waiting.