62% of people who watch TikTok live consume live content on the platform everyday. That is why TikTok is a useful tool for brands and content creators to build a community of loyal fans in real-time. Given that fact, knowing how to go live on TikTok can definitely benefit you in the long run.
The good thing is, going live on TikTok is easy as you only need a smartphone and TikTok’s app to get started. This article will guide you through the steps.
Not only that, in this article, you will learn some tips to get the most out of TikTok live and some content ideas to try when broadcasting.
But before you learn how to go live on TikTok, it is best to get familiar with the social platform’s live streaming feature.
What Is TikTok Live?
TikTok Live is the social platform’s feature for broadcasting live content. It enables businesses, influencers, and content creators to not only entertain and educate but also interact with their audience.
But that is not the only benefit of going live on TikTok. During live streams, you can receive virtual gifts from viewers, which can be turned into cash.
There are many types of content that you can fit into a TikTok live, from just chatting to real-time tutorials or courses. At the end of this article, you will get to know more content ideas.
For now, let’s focus on how to go live on TikTok.
What Are The Requirements to Go Live on TikTok?
As per TikTok, you should be 16 or older and have at least 1,000 followers to be eligible for going live on TikTok. So, if you ask, “Why can’t I go live on TikTok?”, it is most likely because you do not meet the criteria.
But for some of those who have fulfilled the minimum age requirement, collecting a thousand followers can be a tough challenge. More specifically, if you are a new content creator or business. Due to that reason, many people ask “How to go live on TikTok without 1000 followers?”
Though unconfirmed, there are instances where certain users are allowed to broadcast without achieving the minimum number of followers. This method will not always work out. But if your following is still small and you are interested in trying, this article will explain that workaround later.
Read: How to Get More Followers on TikTok
How to Go Live on TikTok
Going live on TikTok is very simple. Just follow the steps below to start a broadcast:
1. Open TikTok and tap the Create (plus) button.
2. At the bottom of the screen under the record button, scroll to the right until you get the LIVE option.
3. Fill in your livestream’s details. You can add a cover image, title, topic, and goal.
4. When you are ready, tap Go LIVE to start broadcasting.
That is how to go live on TikTok. During broadcast, you have access to multiple features, including changing between your front and rear camera, adding effects, and starting a poll. Use these features by tapping their icon on your screen.
You even have the option to add up to 20 moderators into your stream. Having moderators can help you mute or even block participants who leave offensive comments. That way, you can keep the live event positive for everyone.
When you want to wrap up, tap the X button on the top left of the screen to end the livestream.
Read: How to Go Viral on TikTok
How to Go Live on TikTok without 1000 followers
As mentioned earlier, some TikTok users are said to be able to live stream even though they have less than 1,000 followers. These individuals managed to do so by asking help from TikTok’s support team, claiming that they lost access to the broadcasting feature.
That being said, going live on TikTok without fulfilling the criteria is originally unsupported. But if you want to try your luck, below is how to go live on TikTok with less than 1,000 followers:
1. Go to your profile and tap the hamburger menu on the top-right corner.
2. Tap Settings and Privacy.
3. Tap Report a problem.
4. Under the Popular section, tap I can’t start a LIVE.
5. Under the “Is your problem solved?” question, select No.
6. Write a report that says you can no longer live stream on TikTok and that you would like to ask for help to re-enable that feature.
7. Tap Report and wait for a response.
That is how to go live on TikTok without 1000 followers. Remember, these steps are not guaranteed to work. Whether you will be able to live stream without fulfilling the followers criteria depends on TikTok’s decision.
9 Best Practices for Going Live on TikTok
Broadcasting on TikTok only requires a couple of taps. However, if this is your first time making live content, interacting with your audience in real-time can be an overwhelming thought.
But as with any other task, practice makes perfect. You will become more fluid in front of viewers once you get the hang of it.
Still, it is better to know some tips on how to go live on TikTok so that you can prepare better. Below are TikTok live best practices that you should follow:
1. Set A Goal
Before you even plan a live session, ask yourself. What do you want to achieve by going live on TikTok? Answering this question will make it easier to design an event that does not only entice your audiences, but also leave them wanting for more.
Up-and-coming content creators, for example, typically practice how to go live on TikTok to strengthen their connection with fans. Doing so will help you earn fans’ trust, which is essential for when you want to promote offerings in the future, such as exclusive content, merchandise, and commission.
2. Choose A Topic to Support That Goal
Now that you have decided on a goal, how will you achieve it? That is where setting a topic comes in.
To learn how to go live on TikTok effectively, you need to choose a topic that aligns with your goal. Not only that, the topic has to address your audience’s needs to be interesting.
Here is an idea to inspire you. Let’s say you make content about cooking for those who want to be better at preparing food. You have been working on an original cookbook and want to promote it during a live stream. Basically, that is an example of how to go live on TikTok with a goal in mind.
Based on that objective, you can spark your viewers’ interest by using a cooking demo as your topic. Later on, you pick one or two recipes from the cookbook to demonstrate. Not only is the topic enticing for your target audience, it also helps you to market your book at the end of the show.
3. Set The Flow
Have you ever watched a livestream and wonder how everything seems spontaneous yet organized at the same time? Having a structure in mind is the key to do that.
If you want to learn how to go live on TikTok successfully, it is crucial to set the flow of your event. It involves planning the activities and the time slot for each. That way, each segment of your stream will not drag on and your viewers stay engaged until the end.
It is up to you to arrange how the live event goes. As a suggestion, you may use the basic structure below:
- Welcoming the audience
- Introducing the topic
- Carrying out your agenda
- Question and answer session
- Wrapping up
TikTok live can go up to 60 minutes. But when it comes to how to go live on TikTok effectively, consider to keep your stream duration around 30 minutes to ensure that viewers do not get bored. So, adjust your time slots accordingly.
Read: What Does Nudge Mean on TikTok
4. Avoid Scripts
Having an organized live stream is a must. However, it is better to stay away from a script.
Candidness is what differs a live show from regular content. Therefore, most of your audience expects genuine, unfiltered conversation during broadcasts.
So, the right step to take is to prepare key points that you want to discuss without over-rehearsing it. To learn how to go live on TikTok successfully, just follow the flow that you have made and interact with viewers as if talking to friends. This authenticity helps to build the audience’s trust towards you.
5. Pick The Right Time to Go Live
Ideally, you want to be able to reach as many viewers as possible with a live event. That is why you need to hold it when most of your target audience are active on TikTok.
Studies show that TikTok users in general are mostly on the platform from Tuesday to Thursday before and after the regular working hours. So, if you want to learn how to go live on TikTok successfully, schedule your live show before 9AM or after 5PM.
But the best time to post on TikTok and do live streams depends on your set of audiences. To know their prime time, you should make use of TikTok Analytics. Access this feature from the Privacy and settings menu in your account. Note that the analytics are only available after you switch to a pro TikTok account.
6. Announce Your Event
The next step on how to go live on TikTok successfully is to let people know about your event. Otherwise, a handful of your target audience will probably not even know that you have an upcoming live event for them.
For starters, you can make a TikTok video that announces your upcoming live stream. Promote it on other social platforms too if you have them. Make sure you include a little sneak peek of the topic so that audiences are excited to join.
Note that some of your potential viewers may forget the live schedule along the way. Thus, if you want to learn how to go live on TikTok successfully, it is a good idea to post one or two reminders in advance.
7. Prevent Technical Issues
Going live on TikTok with just a smartphone is more than enough since the TikTok app ensures the best settings for optimal video quality. However, you still need to be aware of technical issues that may come up during live streams.
A bad internet connection is one of them. Without a stable, high speed connection, your stream will be laggy at times. If that happens multiple times, most viewers can get frustrated and leave your event early.
When it comes to learning how to go live on TikTok successfully, it is also important to pay attention to your audio quality. Your phone’s built-in microphone does not sound good at all, especially if you do not speak directly in front of it.
With that in mind, the best option is to use an external microphone. An earphone mic should be good enough. But if you have more budget, it is better to invest in a dedicated microphone.
8. Pay Attention to Your Surroundings
Do you want to know how to go live on TikTok and visually impress the audience? The key is to consider your surroundings.
First of all, you need to ensure that the room used for your live stream is not cluttered. That will give your viewers the idea that you are a professional content creator and care about quality.
Secondly, pay attention to the lighting. A strong but diffused light in front of you will produce a flattering look that many viewers enjoy seeing.
Luckily, you do not need to get studio lighting when starting to learn how to go live on TiKTok. Hosting your stream in front of a window light can simulate that professional look. Or, you can opt for a desk lamp with a shade if you are streaming in a room without any ambient light.
Last but not least, make sure that no one interrupts your broadcast. So, if you live in a shared housing, let everyone know about your live event beforehand.
Read: How to Get Verified on TikTok
9. End with A Call to Action
How to go live on TikTok is incomplete without ending the show with a call to action. By doing that, you can prompt the audience to do something that contributes to your live stream’s goal.
Start by wrapping up what viewers have gained from your event, such as knowledge, skills, or a good laugh. Then, tell them that they can get more by watching your next live streams, subscribing to your membership program, purchasing your product, or doing other offerings that align with your objectives.
Read: How Much Does TikTok Pay
TikTok Live Ideas
Now that you know how to go live on TikTok and some best practices to do in a broadcast, let’s take a look at some live content ideas that you can try:
- Do a Q&A
Having a question-and-answer session is one of the most popular live activities. Before doing that, post a content in which you request the audience’s most interesting questions about you.
- Host an interview
Inviting an industry expert for a live interview can boost your authority. Not only that, it enables you to reach a wider audience.
- Give a live tutorial
If you want to know how to go live on TikTok and effortlessly satisfy the audience, there is nothing better than doing a classic how-to video. Help your viewers learn skills or hacks that you are a master of.
- Chat with the audience while doing a chill activity
Some live stream viewers just want to relax together with you. So, it is a good idea to cook, do artwork, or game while chatting with them about anything that interests both parties.
- Show the process of making your product
If you are a business owner or representative who is learning how to go live on TikTok, use streaming to give the audience a look at how your products are made. This will assure them that your goods are exactly like what you claim.
- Take viewers on a behind-the-scenes tour
Many loyal fans must be curious about your content creation process. Use this interest as one of your livestream topics. For example, show how you shoot and edit a video to produce your signature style.
Read: TikTok Ideas
How to Go Live on TikTok: Conclusion
Going live on TikTok is an easy feat. As long as you are 16 or above and have at least 1,000 followers, the social platform grants you the access to host a live event.
On top of that, you do not require any advanced devices to start streaming on TikTok. You only need a smartphone, a good internet connection, a decent microphone, and a healthy amount of light for a high-quality broadcast.
There are also no settings needed when it comes to how to go live on TikTok. The social media app already takes care of the technical aspects, so you can just hit the LIVE button whenever you want.
We hope this article helps you understand how to use TikTok live. For more tips and insights about content creation, be sure to subscribe to our blog.
FAQs
How do I go live on TikTok?
Open TikTok and tap the create button. Then choose LIVE in the bottom of your screen. Set the live stream details and tap Go LIVE to start. That is how to go live on TikTok.
Why can’t I go live on TikTok?
You will not be able to access TikTok live if you are under 16 and have less than 1,000 followers.
How to go live on TikTok without 1000 followers?
Going live on TikTok without meeting its criteria is originally unsupported. But you may be able to ask the TikTok support team to enable the feature for you. To do that, file a report that basically tells how you can no longer go live on TikTok.
Can you make money on TikTok live?
Knowing how to go live on TikTok allows you to earn money from virtual gifts that viewers send. You can convert these gifts into real cash.
