You know you should be posting reels. You’ve probably also stood in your shop or on a job site, phone in hand, with no idea what to film.
This list fixes that. It’s 30 reels ideas for local businesses around Adelaide, from cafes on Prospect Road and salons on King William Road to tradies working across the eastern suburbs. None of them need fancy gear, a script or dancing. Just your phone and 20 minutes.
Why reels matter for local businesses
Before people call, book or walk in, most of them check you out online. Reels show them something a photo can’t: what you’re actually like. Your voice, your space, your work and your team.
For local businesses, reels do three jobs:
- Build trust before the first contact. People feel like they know you.
- Keep you top of mind. Locals who follow you think of you first when they need you.
- Feed your Google profile. The same short videos can be added to your Google Business Profile, keeping it fresh and active.
How to film reels on your phone
- Film vertically (9:16), in good light. Near a window or outdoors beats any ring light.
- Hook in the first two seconds. Start with the most interesting moment, not a slow intro.
- Keep it short. 10 to 30 seconds is plenty for most ideas.
- Film more than you need. A few extra seconds at the start and end of each clip makes editing easier.
- Capture clean sound if you’re talking. Get close to the phone and away from traffic.
- Tag your location and mention your suburb in the caption.
Behind the scenes (ideas 1–6)
- Opening up. Keys in the door, lights on, coffee machine warming up. The calm before the rush.
- A day in 15 seconds. Quick clips from opening to close, cut together.
- How we make our best seller. The process from start to finish, sped up.
- Meet the team. One person a week: name, role, favourite part of the job.
- Unboxing new stock or equipment. People love seeing what’s new.
- Setting up for a busy day. Prep for a Saturday, a big job or an event.
Before and after (ideas 7–11)
- A transformation. A haircut, a renovated bathroom, a cleaned carpet, a fixed fence.
- A messy job made tidy. Trades and cleaners, this one always works.
- The plate before and after garnish. Simple, but it makes people hungry.
- Old website or sign vs new. Great for any business that’s just refreshed its look.
- Customer result, with permission. A happy client showing off what you did.
Teach something (ideas 12–18)
- Answer the question you hear most. “How long does it take?” “Do I need an appointment?”
- One quick tip. A physio stretch, a coffee hack, a home maintenance check.
- Myth versus fact in your industry.
- “What I’d tell a friend” about choosing a service like yours.
- Three signs you need… a new roof, a new hairstyle, a check-up.
- How to prepare for your appointment or your visit.
- What things cost and why. Being open about pricing builds trust fast.
Every local SEO plan includes two professionally edited reels a week, made from the clips you shoot on your phone.
Show off your local area (ideas 19–24)
- Your walk or drive to work through Unley, Norwood, Prospect or wherever you’re based.
- A shout-out to a neighbouring business. Local businesses supporting each other gets shared.
- Your favourite local spot for lunch or coffee near your work.
- “Things to do near us this weekend” for your suburb.
- Jobs around Adelaide this week. Tradies: a quick montage of the suburbs you’ve worked in.
- Local events you’re part of. Markets, sponsorships, community days.
Build trust (ideas 25–30)
- Read a review out loud and say thank you. Ask the customer’s permission first.
- Why we started this business. Your story in 30 seconds.
- Our promise to customers. What you always do, every time.
- A mistake we made and fixed. Honesty is rare and memorable.
- What happens when you book with us, step by step.
- Answering a comment or message on video.
Turn one filming session into a month of reels
You don’t need to film every day. Set aside an hour once a week or once a fortnight and film several ideas in one go. Pick one idea from each section above, film three or four takes of each, and you’ll have enough clips for two weeks of posts.
Where to post your reels
- Instagram and Facebook: post reels to both from the same app
- TikTok: a younger audience, but growing for local searches too
- YouTube Shorts: another place for the same clip
- Your Google Business Profile: add your best short videos so your listing looks active when people find you on Google Maps. Our local SEO guide explains why that matters.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a small business post reels?
Consistency beats volume. Two good reels a week, every week, will do more than ten in one week and nothing for a month.
Do I need to show my face?
No, but it helps. People connect with people. If you’re camera-shy, start with behind-the-scenes and before-and-after reels, then build up.
What if a reel gets no views?
That’s normal. Some reels do better than others. Keep posting, look at which ideas get the most views and saves, and do more of those.
