TikTok Marketing: How To Use TikTok To Grow Your Business (with Keenya Kelly)

Introduction

Introduction

Tick tock for business wait wait wait isn't TikTok just for dancing, teenagers, and lip-syncing? Gen Zers? Nope. It's official: TikTok can no longer be ignored by digital marketers. Not only does TikTok make it possible to expand your reach and grow your audience in record time, but it has also proven to be one of the most effective ways for business owners to market, scale, and sell their products and services online. In this exclusive interview with TikTok expert Keenya Kelly, you’ll learn exactly how to do that. So, stay tuned.

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Hey posse, what's up? It’s Alex. If you're new to the crew, welcome! Right here on my channel, you will find a ton of tutorials, expert interviews, and in-depth training on all things copywriting, branding, and digital marketing. So if you're trying to ignite your business and want techniques and strategies that work today, make sure to subscribe below and hit that bell to be notified when my next video goes live.

This week, I have an exclusive interview with the one, the only, the queen of TikTok, Keenya Kelly. Keenya is a TikTok expert specifically for business owners. I recently invited her to teach a masterclass of TikTok tips to my Rainmakers, the members of my high-level mentorship program. What she shared was so insightful and frankly, mind-blowing, that I invited her back to do an interview for all of you.

During this interview, you will learn about the TikTok platform, why it's so effective, and most importantly, how to use it to grow your business, get more clients, and make more money without having to participate in silly dance trends, lip-syncing, or even showing your face at all. Keenya is the CEO of If You Brand It, a marketing and consulting company in San Diego where she has helped thousands of female entrepreneurs launch their own brands through the power of video marketing. When the pandemic hit, like many people, Keenya had to pivot and decided to learn more about TikTok and how she could use it to grow her business. In just 12 short months, she grew her account to over 470,000 followers and has since helped clients reach millions of followers. This is a lesson in video marketing that you never knew you needed, but you really do need. Pay close attention because you’ll want to take notes. Here’s the interview.

The Interview

Hey Posse, what's up? It's Alex, and I’m so excited because today, joining me on my YouTube channel is an incredible marketing expert. I’m legit calling her the queen of TikTok because this woman knows so much about TikTok marketing. You have to follow her immediately because what she shares on the platform is incredible.

If you are like me a month ago, you might think TikTok is just for dancing teenagers, but I opened the platform one day and thought, "Oh my gosh, so many incredible business coaches, service providers, entrepreneurs, and freelancers are absolutely killing it on this platform." I immediately thought I need someone to talk about the power of TikTok to the Posse community. I reached out to my friend Anik Singal, another incredible business owner and coach who is also crushing it on TikTok, and he said, “You have to talk to Keenya Kelly.” So, Keenya, welcome to my YouTube channel. I am so happy you are here.

Why TikTok?

Keenya: I'm so excited to be here.

Alex: This is great because just yesterday you came into my Rainmakers clubhouse and did an exclusive TikTok training. What’s so great about TikTok? Why is this platform something that people need to be paying attention to?

Keenya: One thing to understand is that our attention span is very short now, about eight to eleven seconds. TikTok capitalized on this by creating small bite-sized pieces of content that are 15 seconds or less initially. People think they’ll be on the platform for 15 seconds but end up staying for two hours. As a business owner, when I put a piece of content on TikTok, it gives people a quick introduction into who I am and what I do. They can binge-watch short clips, getting swarmed into my world a lot faster than watching a 30-minute Facebook Live video.

Alex: 15 seconds seems really doable. I want to talk more about content creation tips. I've noticed platforms like Instagram announced Reels and YouTube added Shorts following TikTok's lead. Every other social platform is copying TikTok.

Keenya: Absolutely, they see TikTok taking over and want a piece of the pie. Even Facebook and Instagram are losing users to TikTok.

Alex: It's still early days. I reached 1,200 TikTok followers in just under three weeks, whereas it took six months to get the same number of subscribers on YouTube.

Keenya: Yep, I’ve been on Instagram for six years with around 21,800 followers. On TikTok, I achieved 489,000 followers in two and a half years. It's all about the algorithm and people’s behavior on TikTok.

Content Strategy

Alex: Can you talk about the balance between subject-specific content and fun viral stuff like cat videos or personal stories?

Keenya: First, nail down who you are as a brand, your target audience, and what your products are. On TikTok, you get more freedom to show different sides of your brand, like personal stories tied into your business. The platform allows you to be an entirely different version of yourself. And, it’s not just about dancing or acting goofy. A branding agency can still share business insights laced with personal anecdotes, which makes it relatable and engaging.

Alex: This aligns with the future of marketing that's moving towards values-based marketing. People want to support brands they relate to, know, and trust.

Keenya: Definitely. For instance, Chipotle had a TikTok campaign that perfectly tapped into TikTok culture, making it relatable and driving more people to buy from them.

Getting Started

Alex: Someone new to TikTok might be resistant. What advice would you give them to start getting clients and using TikTok effectively?

Keenya: First, realize everything in the market is moving towards short-form video. Download the app and start by searching keywords related to your field. This will show you how many people are already making similar content. Take notes of what works, save videos you like, and try creating your own drafts without posting initially. Record different content types, get comfortable with the platform, and give yourself six months of consistent effort. At the 90-day mark, you’ll likely see significant growth.

Alex: I love that. It’s also important not to just use hashtags that relate to your field because that shows your content to competitors. Choose hashtags your ideal clients would use.

Keenya: Exactly. For example, if you’re a weight loss coach, use hashtags like #diet or #ketodiet, not #weightlosscoach.

Common Mistakes

Alex: What mistakes do people make on TikTok?

Keenya: Key mistakes include using horizontal videos instead of vertical, bringing in copyrighted music from other sources, using outdated carousel photo methods, and being too boring. TikTok is about entertainment; use hooks in the first few seconds to capture attention, whether that’s through text on screen, spoken words, or descriptions.

Final Tips

Alex: What’s one last tip you’d give?

Keenya: Learn to use the three-second timer to start videos professionally. Edit clips to minimize any awkward pauses. Remember, TikTok is about authenticity and relatability, so have fun with it.

Alex: Thank you so much, Keenya. This has been extremely insightful. If you want to know more about Keenya’s TikTok for Business advice, follow her on TikTok and Instagram at @kenyakelly, visit her website kenyaKelly.com, and check out her new YouTube channel.

Conclusion

Thank you all for tuning in. If you enjoyed this video, make sure to check out the next one and subscribe to get more insights on social media content, CTAs, and more.

Keywords

• TikTok
• Video marketing
• Short-form content
• Business growth
• Digital marketing
• Content creation
• Hashtags
• Engagement
• Personal branding

FAQ

What is TikTok and why is it useful for business?

TikTok is a social media platform focused on short-form video content. It's useful for business because it’s highly engaging and allows for rapid audience growth and brand visibility.

How can I start using TikTok for my business?

Download the app, search for keywords related to your field, take notes, and try drafting different types of videos before posting consistently. Ensure you use vertical videos and choose relevant hashtags your target audience would use.

How do I balance between professional content and fun viral trends?

Decide on the core aspects of your brand and incorporate personal stories or fun elements that tie into your business. It shows authenticity and makes your brand relatable.

What are some common mistakes on TikTok?

Common mistakes include using horizontal videos, bringing in copyrighted music, utilizing outdated content formats like carousel photos, and not engaging viewers in the first few seconds.

Can an introvert be successful on TikTok?

Absolutely. You don't always need to show your face. Many successful TikTok accounts use voiceovers or different creative content without the creator being on screen.