Live streaming on TikTok is a feature that many popular content creators use. It is one of the best ways for them to create some long-form content on their profile. They also use it to engage with their followers in real-time or show off any new products of the brands they collaborate with.
Another useful purpose of a live stream is raising money for charities by using donation stickers.
Whatever the purpose of the live video is, there are a few requirements for your profile in order to activate it.
How Many Followers Do You Need To Go Live on TikTok?
TikTok content creators should have a minimum of 1,000 followers to have a live stream. This is how the app ensures that the audience is big enough.
Another criterion for recording live streams is being 16 years old or older. If you want to be able to send virtual gifts and earn gift points while you are live, you have to be 18 years or older. A great benefit here is that these gifts can be exchanged for cash.
How Do You Go Live on TikTok?
If your profile completes all the necessary requirements, then you probably want to start out on making lives!
Here are a few steps to get started:
- Click on the Create icon to start creating and sharing your content.
- Select the Live button next to the recording option.
- Place an image, title and description to the video.
- To start broadcasting, tap the Go Live button.
- If you want to correct the settings while recording (flip camera, add effects, add moderators, filter comments), click on the three dots.
- Press the X at the top to stop recording.
Best Practices For Going Live on TikTok
Time Slot
In order to reach a bigger audience, you should pick a primetime hour and stream during the same time. However, you should first find your community and target them with your content. This is why you should take into account your followers’ activity too.
You will probably want to do your LIVE when most of your audience is online. This is why you should check TikTok Analytics regularly and track their activity.
Length of Time
In order to attract your followers’ attention, you need to focus on the length of your LIVE. The ideal duration is considered to be 30 minutes, but it all depends on your audience.
You don’t want to make your stream too long – in this way people will get frustrated and will not wait until the important part of what you have to say. You also don’t want it to be very short – give people time to join and spend time breaking the ice.
Sound
Make sure you can be easily heard and understood by the viewers. Any background noise will distract them from what you are saying and you will not reach the desired effect of the stream.
Check the echo of the room and warn your neighbors that you are LIVE!
Lighting
Just as the sound, the correct lighting of the place is key for keeping people’s attention. If the lighting is bad, people will not be able to see what you want them to see.
Consider this factor as a true key for catching people’s eyes!
Internet Connection
Another key moment is, of course, stable internet connection. We have started to take this for granted and think that wherever we are, the connection is steady.
However, we need to test the internet stability before the LIVE to avoid unexpected interruptions.
Camera Angle
Except for the sound and lighting, think about your visual representation. Pick one angle and shoot from it for the entire LIVE. Otherwise, moving around can cause many disruptions and could distract people from focusing on the important parts.
Plan Your Stream
Even if you are great at improvising, it does no harm to have a short plan of what you want to say in your LIVE. It is not necessary to write a whole script, but having an idea of what you want to say will keep you focused throughout the video.
If you are running out of valuable content ideas, you can check what some of the most popular TikTok influencers do!
Engage Your Followers
Think about different ways to engage your followers while you are streaming. Whether that would be through responding to comments or answering people’s questions during the stream, it will make them feel more valued.
This is how you can create a relationship with them and build their trust!
Activity
One simple trick you can use to get more TikTok views is post a video right before you go live. In this way, the video will appear to the audience in their active time and they will be reminded of your profile.
In addition, they will be able to access the live stream through your video which is a double win!
How To Go Live Without the 1,000 Followers
If you really want to make live streams but you still haven’t reached a large number of people, you can follow these steps:
- Click on Me and select the three dots menu
- Go to “Report a Problem” and choose “Live/Payment/Rewards”
- Choose “Hosting Live” and then “I can’t start a live”
- Under “Is your problem resolved?” choose “No”
- Write “I could previously start a live broadcast but now cannot do so” in the feedback form.
- Choose “Report”
Considering that the only official rule for hosting a live stream is to be over 16 years old, then the number of followers might not affect the presence of the function.
If you want to make more people watch your LIVE, focus on creating quality content first. Read more about how to make a successful TikTok video!