To go live on TikTok, you need to meet the platform’s requirements of having at least 1,000 followers and being 18 years of age or older. Once you are eligible, you can find the option to start a live stream in the same section where you shoot content and stories.
Live is one of TikTok’s newest features, aimed at expanding the platform’s content beyond the short-form video format. If you want to learn how you can utilize this content type in your social media strategy, look no further. In today’s article, we’ll explain the step-by-step process of how to go live on TikTok and offer some expert tips to ensure success.
Let’s get started!
What is TikTok Live?
TikTok Live is an in-app feature that allows creators to host a live broadcast on the platform and interact with their followers in real time via the comment section. Fans can also send Live Gifts during the stream, giving creators a way to monetize their content on the platform beyond the TikTok Creator Rewards Program.
TikTok Lives function similarly to other social media streaming content, such as YouTube or Facebook live videos, but have minimum requirements to access the feature. That said, once you meet these criteria, you can leverage live streams in your social media strategy to build trust with your audience and boost your engagement rate.
Going live on TikTok also presents businesses with new and more effective ways to reach their target market. According to data from Statista, 89% of beauty and personal e-commerce sales on the platform came from live streams, a stark difference from the 11% of video sales.
How Many Followers Do You Need to Go Live on TikTok?
You need at least 1,000 followers to go live on TikTok. While this may seem unnecessary, as other social media platforms don’t have the same requirement, this restriction is likely in place to maintain the quality of live streams on the platform and enhance the user experience.
After all, if just about anyone can go live on TikTok, the platform will be overrun with random and low-value streams, which can be off-putting for users.
In addition to the follower requirement, you must also be 18 years of age or older to unlock the TikTok Live feature. The age requirement used to be 16 years old, but TikTok increased the minimum age in 2022 to improve app safety for its users.
4 Crucial Reasons to Go Live on TikTok
As we mentioned earlier, going live on TikTok provides an alternative way to generate revenue on the platform. But aside from this benefit, there are other reasons to host a live stream, such as:
- Humanizing your brand. Going live on TikTok can help humanize your brand, as this content format doesn’t allow for any editing or cuts in between, making it seem more authentic. This authenticity is key to connecting with your audience and earning their trust and loyalty.
- Engaging your audience. Unlike normal video content, live streams allow for direct interactions between you and the viewer, which can help you build stronger relationships with your followers. They can ask questions, provide feedback, and see your genuine reaction in real time.
- Gaining new followers. When you go live on TikTok, your stream can be featured on the For You page, which can help you reach a wider audience and eventually gain new followers. By keeping your streams as interesting and engaging as possible, you can encourage viewers to check out the rest of your content and give you a follow.
- Showing your creativity and expertise. Whether you are sharing tips or demonstrating a skill, live streams are an excellent way to showcase your creativity and expertise as a creator and help you land brand collaborations.
How to Go Live on TikTok via Mobile Phone
If you’re wondering how to go live on TikTok on an iPhone or any other mobile phone, all you need to do is open the TikTok app and tap the Plus icon at the bottom of the screen.
Then, on the screen, you’ll see the options for Camera, Story, and Templates. Scroll to the left and select LIVE.
From there, you need to add a thumbnail and title for your stream. You can also adjust your stream’s settings by adding moderators, activating LIVE gifts, or managing comments.
When done, simply tap the Go LIVE button to start the stream.
During the live stream, you can create polls, change your camera settings, and add music, voice effects, or stickers.
If you’re ready to end the stream, click the End LIVE button at the top of the screen.
How to Go Live on TikTok via PC/Laptop
Aside from your phone, you can also go live on TikTok via a PC or laptop using the TikTok LIVE Studio. Unfortunately, this feature isn’t available to all creators, even if you meet the minimum follower count.
If you want to go live on TikTok on desktop, you first need to apply for LIVE access. Once you get accepted, you can download the LIVE Studio. Then, open the software and log in using your TikTok account details.
If this is your first time going live on TikTok using this method, click Set up now from the options. This will guide you through the features of the app and help you set up your microphone and camera. You can also adjust your LIVE settings here. Otherwise, you can click Go LIVE now to immediately start streaming.
How to Join a Live on TikTok
In addition to going live on TikTok by yourself, you can also join a different creator’s live stream for collaborations. To do this, tap the LIVE button in the upper left corner of the screen to access all the streams on the app.
Then, find the live stream you want to join and click the multi-guest button at the bottom of the screen. This is the two-person icon beside the comment bar.
If the host accepts your request, you’ll be redirected to TikTok’s video settings, where you can adjust your microphone and camera, add a filter or effect, and change other settings.
When you’re ready to join the stream, tap Go LIVE and you’ll show up on the screen after a five-second countdown.
5+ Expert Tips & Strategies When Going Live on TikTok
Now that you know how to go live on TikTok, here are some expert tips to follow to ensure that your first stream goes as smoothly as possible:
#1. Prepare in Advance
Before going live on TikTok, it’s best to prepare in advance to ensure that you don’t run out of topics and provide the most value for your audience. You can start by determining your objectives first; maybe you want to drive more traffic to your other social media accounts, generate engagement, or promote a product or service.
Then, create some talking points that will serve as a guide for your stream. Focus on topics that will pique your viewers’ interest and are relevant to the message you’re trying to convey.
Before you go live, we also recommend promoting your stream before the actual date to ensure a high viewer count. You can post teasers on TikTok and even cross-post content on other social media platforms. Doing so will let your viewers know you want to connect with them and encourage them to interact with you on your live stream.
Moreover, since TikTok doesn’t allow you to save live streams once they are over, you can capitalize on this to build FOMO—the Fear of Missing Out—in your audience and garner more views.
#2. Pick the Right Time
It’s pointless to go live on TikTok when no one is watching, so make sure that you schedule your live stream when most of your audience is active. You can check TikTok analytics to identify when your key followers are online.
Alternatively, if you use a social media management platform like Publer to schedule your TikTok posts, you can view your audience’s peak hours on our analytics tab. Our tool gathers data from your audience’s activity on the platform and uses it to determine the best times to post on TikTok.
#3. Select a Strategic Location
The environment you choose will significantly affect the quality of your stream, so it’s important to choose a strategic location when going live on TikTok. Make sure that background noise is kept to a minimum, as viewers won’t be able to hear you if you’re broadcasting from somewhere with a lot of noise.
We also recommend choosing a room with lots of natural light to ensure the best quality for your video. If that isn’t possible, you can easily create a well-lit filming area using a ring light. You can even use TikTok filters to brighten and enhance the quality of your videos.
Lastly, make sure your chosen streaming location has a stable internet connection to avoid poor video quality and interruptions during your stream, which can detract from the viewer experience.
#4. Remember to Engage Your Audience
Streaming is one of the best ways to boost your TikTok engagement, so take every opportunity to engage with your viewers. When you go live on TikTok, make sure to read, react, and answer comments like you’re talking to a friend.
To engage your followers, you need to be as genuine as possible. So, switch off your sales voice and try to connect with your viewers more personally. Even if you have written a script for your broadcast, keep it real—it needs to feel natural.
According to research by Chen and Lin (2018) in Telematics and Informatics, a higher degree of interaction between the streamer and the viewer leads to higher perceived value and a more positive attitude towards the stream overall.
#5. Keep it Short
Though TikTok live videos have a time limit of 60 minutes, we recommend keeping the length at 30 minutes or less for several reasons.
For one, the platform is known for short-form video content, so following the same limited-time format may lead to better engagement and watch time. Additionally, social media users now have a shorter attention span, which means it will be much harder to maintain their interest the longer your stream is.
While you don’t have to follow this timeframe strictly when you go live on TikTok, we recommend keeping your first few streams short to keep viewers engaged.
#6. Finish With a Call-To-Action
Ending your TikTok Live on a high note with a compelling call to action (CTA) is important for your stream’s success. You can recap what you’ve talked about and thank viewers for tuning in, then wrap up your stream with a solid CTA that ties back to your objective or promotes your next TikTok Live.
4 Engaging TikTok Live Ideas You Should Try
Make the most of your stream by trying one of these TikTok Live ideas for maximum engagement and value from your audience:
- Do TikTok challenges. Cooking attempts, taste tests, and other food-related challenges make excellent content for live streams, as these are interesting to watch and can promote audience participation. You can ask viewers for recommendations on what food you should try to encourage them to interact with your stream.
- Show behind-the-scenes content. If you’re using TikTok for business, consider hosting a live stream to give your audience a glimpse of your brand. This can be a walkthrough of your day-to-day, a “meet the team” kind of stream, or a backstage view of a product shoot. This will make your brand more relatable and help build trust with your audience.
- Sell products. Going live on TikTok provides a free opportunity to directly promote and sell your products to your audience. As we mentioned earlier, live stream sales greatly outperformed video sales on the platform, so it can be an effective way to convert followers into customers and drive sales.
- Talk to followers. TikTok Lives are great for connecting with your audience, so consider hosting a stream just to talk to followers. You can ask open-ended questions, hold polls, and even invite some viewers to join you on the stream. This can help you build a closer and more dedicated community around your brand.
Key Takeaways
- TikTok Live is a feature that allows creators to host a live broadcast on the platform. This allows users to connect with their audience, showcase their expertise, and gain new followers.
- You need to be at least 18 years old and have a minimum of 1,000 followers to go live on TikTok.
- If you meet the platform’s eligibility requirements, you can easily go live on the TikTok mobile app. If you want to go live on a desktop, however, you would need to apply for LIVE access.
- To ensure a successful TikTok Live, it’s important to prepare in advance, engage your audience throughout the stream, and finish strong with a compelling call-to-action.
- If you’re planning to go live on TikTok but are out of ideas, you can attempt some viral challenges, show behind-the-scenes content, or use the opportunity to talk to your followers.
How to Go Live on TikTok FAQ
#1. Why can’t I go live on TikTok?
If you can’t go live on TikTok, it’s because you do not meet the platform’s minimum follower count or age requirement. These criteria are strictly enforced to ensure that the TikTok streaming space continues to be a safe and enjoyable environment for all users.
#2. How do I go live on TikTok without 1,000 followers?
While it isn’t possible to go live on TikTok without 1,000 followers, some users have devised a workaround where they file a support ticket claiming to have lost access to the feature. This “hack” isn’t foolproof, and you may face repercussions for trying to cut corners. Instead, we recommend that you focus on growing your following until you reach the minimum requirement.
#3. How do I turn on live access on TikTok?
You don’t need to turn on live access on TikTok; the platform automatically adds the feature to your account once you meet the minimum follower count and age requirements.
#4. How to go live on TikTok without showing your face?
To go live on TikTok without showing your face, you can flip the camera to use your phone’s back camera and utilize the app’s green screen effect. On the live screen, tap on Enhance in the bottom right corner and look for Green Screen from the effect options. Then, tap the Plus icon and choose an image to use as your background. This is what viewers will see when they watch your stream.
Ervin Kalemi
