As many of you know, TikTok is a rapidly-growing platform, and it's important to be ahead of the curve when it comes to using it for marketing purposes. Are you ready to connect with your followers in real-time? Want to give your brand a real and authentic feel? Well, you need to go LIVE! So today, we're going to go over the basics of what you need to go LIVE on TikTok.
Going LIVE on TikTok, just like on other platforms, gives you the chance to bridge the gap between you and your followers. Keep in mind that these requirements may change as the platform evolves, so be sure to check back often!
Woot woot! Let's get started. ;-)
Why go live?
Since it's all happening live (no pun intended) and there is no editing option, followers can interact with you, see how you are in real life, and even watch you stumble over your words (because let’s be real, that might happen and it's okay!) People love experiencing others' human moments.
For users 18 and older, your viewers can even send you "virtual gifts," which you are able to exchange for cash. Win-win.
Not all users are eligible to go LIVE on TikTok, so let’s talk about requirements, steps for your first LIVE, and some pro tips to use on your "LIVE" journey.
Who can go live?
In order to unlock the "LIVE" feature, you do need to be at least 16 years old and have a minimum of 1,000 followers.
If you don’t meet the following requirements, take a look at some of our previous blogs about TikTok growth in general. Take the time to implement the strategies we give you, and with a bit of patience, you will unlock the LIVE.
If you aren’t 16 yet, we can’t help you there. Wait for your birthday.
There are rumored ways to work around the follower requirement, but we have never seen it work. Allegedly, if you submit a support ticket in TikTok saying you used to have LIVE access but it got taken away, they will "re-enable" it for you.
Again, we have never seen this work, but we did want to include it so you know it is most likely a scam.
How to start a LIVE on TikTok
Assuming you meet the requirements to go LIVE, here is a step-by-step layout of how to set it up:
- Open the TikTok application and go to the + symbol (the one you use to upload content).
- Below the red record button, you will see the usual options (60s, 15s, and MV), as well as the LIVE button.
- Slide to the left to select LIVE.
- You can give a name or a title to your LIVE which will likely help you get people’s attention.
- Now click Broadcast LIVE and a countdown will appear on the screen.
- Once the countdown is over… you are officially LIVE!
Note: When you start a live stream, a text will appear letting you know you must comply with the Community Guidelines and that inappropriate behavior may result in your account being blocked. Keep this in mind, and be respectful and responsible with the rules of the application and with the audience that is watching you.
Pro-Tip: Control who is watching
When you go LIVE, anyone on the platform can see you. This is both good and bad. It’s great that you are not limited to a small group, and that you are able to reach new potential followers. But it can be frustrating when trolls decide to spam your feed.
There are TikTok users that like to leave inappropriate, aggressive, or just horribly mean comments on lives. Ignore their asses and carry on being your fabulous self.
And thankfully, the platform has come up with a way to manage unwanted visitors.
Muting Viewers
The newest TikTok update lets you mute users during a LIVE. So as soon as someone makes you uncomfortable, or says something inappropriate, you can mute them. One thing to note with this option is that if you go with this route, all comments posted by that user up until that point will be deleted.
You want your LIVES to be a space to draw your community together. Having unwanted comments can do the exact opposite. Don’t be afraid to take control of YOUR space. Any sort of unwanted comments are fair game to be muted.
Pro-tip: Making money on a LIVE
We briefly mentioned the ability to make some coin while going LIVE on TikTok, so let’s cover more of how that works.
First, users purchase "coins" in the social network (with real money). These coins can be used to purchase "virtual gifts."
During the LIVE stream, followers can send these gifts that transform into "diamonds" to the account of the content creator.
When the TikToker has a minimum of 100 "diamonds," they can exchange them to receive a monetary payment through PayPal.
Most sources say 200 diamonds will get you about $1. So this form of monetization definitely requires a loyal following for it to be lucrative.
Miscellaneous Tips
Going LIVE can be nerve-wracking since you can’t edit out mistakes. This is both a blessing and a curse!
You want your audience to feel like you are a real person they can actually talk to and interact with. But in that same breath, you don’t want to be so unprepared that you have nothing to say.
Tip #1: Have a plan.
Whether you decide to do a Q&A or a story time, have a rough idea of what you want to accomplish with your LIVE.
When you go LIVE your followers will receive a notification, but anyone who doesn't follow you directly on TikTok may miss out.
Tip #2: Cross-promote your LIVEs.
Consider posting about your LIVE on your IG story or Facebook feed. Wherever you have a following elsewhere, advertise.
Sometimes watching one person talk and talk and talk can get a bit boring, so consider bringing in some backup.
Tip #3: Collaborate or invite a friend.
Collaborating your LIVE with another creator gives you someone to interact with as well as access to their entire following! That's basically free growth.
Conclusion
So, there you have it! A brief overview of why you should go LIVE and best ways to optimize the LIVE process. And if that’s not enough for you, we have a whole ebook full of tips and tricks on how to make your videos go viral. Seriously, what are you waiting for? If you are looking for more in-depth knowledge about the algorithm and how to make it on TikTok, be sure to download our NEW ebook How To Go Viral on TikTok and Earn Exponential Growth. It’s updated every quarter to ensure optimal success.
Get started today and see the amazing results for yourself. We want you to grow your community, engagement, and brand, and honestly, going LIVE does all of that and more. Give it a shot and see how it goes! We are cheering you on!
