Lucia Summa
Despite what many people might think, TikTok isn’t just used for people to make and watch videos anymore. If you meet all of the requirements that TikTok has, then you’ll be able to use the Live feature amongst all other features as well.
If you’re interested in learning more about what it means to go Live on TikTok, continue reading! We’ll go through everything you need to know, along with some other things you might find helpful!
How to Go Live on TikTok
For starters, TikTok Live is exactly what you think it is if you don’t already know. It’s TikTok’s way of allowing users to stream videos in real-time, just like how Facebook Live, Instagram Live, and YouTube Live all do.
But, just because you’re a user on TikTok, doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be allowed to start a Live right away. Instead, TikTok has some requirements put into place.
- The first is that you have to have at least 1,000 followers to have access to the Live feature.
- You must be 16 years or older to start your own Live.
- You must be 18 years or older to send and/or receive TikTok gifts during a Live video. For more information on what Gifts on TikTok are, follow this link.
If you meet the above requirements, here’s how to get started on starting your first TikTok Live:
- Open the TikTok app.
- Click the “+” at the bottom of the screen.
- Under the red camera button, scroll through the options until you see the Live button, then click on it.
- If you don’t see the Live button anywhere, then it’s because you don’t meet the above requirements.
- Insert a name for your Live stream.
- Pick your cover photo, topic, and any other filters that you might want to add.
- Click “Go” to begin your Live video.
Tips and Tricks to Use for TikTok Live
If you’re new to the TikTok Live feature, then chances are you might want some tips and tricks to use. No worries though, we’ve got you covered. Next time you want to start a Live video on TikTok, follow these steps to help create engaging content:
- Don’t go over 30 minutes! TikTok recommends that you aim for a Live video that stays under this time slot.
- Have good lighting! Good lighting in videos ensures that you’re giving your viewers a more professional feel when streaming. Besides, no one wants to watch that they can barely see.
- Be aware of your surroundings! Be sure to eliminate any background noise that might be distracting to you or your viewers.
- Have a plan! Don’t go into your Live video without any idea of what you’re going to talk about. It will be easy for viewers to recognize and increase the chances of them exiting.
- Find the Right Time! Start your Live during the times your audience might be the most active. This will increase the chances of higher engagement rates.
How to Join Someone Else’s Live on TikTok
If you decide you want to join someone else’s Live on TikTok instead of hosting your own, you can easily request to join one.
- Open the TikTok app.
- Find the Live you want to join.
- Click on it, then click on the comments section.
- Click on the button that looks like two smiley faces, this will send a request to join.
- Once you’ve been approved, your screen will split into two which will allow for you to attend their broadcast.
If you don’t have anyone specific in mind of whose Live you want to watch, you can also scroll through TikTok’s page for them. This will show all of the people who are currently going Live that you can watch.
- Open the TikTok app.
- Click on the “Live” TV button in the top left-hand corner of the screen.
- Scroll through until you find a video you want to watch and continue to do so as you would with regular TikTok videos.
What are the benefits of going Live on TikTok?
If you’re wondering what the benefits of going Live on TikTok are, there are a few that might help you make your decision.
- Helps with real-time engagement – You’ll be able to communicate with your viewers in an authentic way that increases the connection you have with them. This will help your followers and viewers see you as more than just a content creator.
- It’s Free – There’s no extra cost to using TikTok’s Live feature, so why not use it to your advantage?
- Make Some Money – There’s a chance you can make money by using TikTok Live by receiving virtual Gifts from your viewers that you can cash in for real money. For more information on TikTok Gifts, follow this link.
- Drive in More Traffic – Using TikTok Live is a great opportunity to bring in some new viewers and then eventually direct them to your other social media platforms. For example, if you have a better following on Instagram, use TikTok Live to mention it so you can potentially bring in more followers to it!
Why won’t TikTok let me go live?
If you’re having some difficulty with trying to get TikTok Live to work, then chances are you don’t meet the requirements we mentioned above. Double-check to make sure you fall into all of the categories before proceeding forward:
- The first is that you have to have at least 1,000 followers to have access to the Live feature.
- You must be 16 years or older to start your own Live.
- You must be 18 years or older to send and/or receive TikTok gifts during a Live video. For more information on what Gifts on TikTok are, follow this link.
If you still are having a hard time with going live on TikTok, you can report the problem to TikTok and see if they can take care of it. Just follow these steps:
- Open the TikTok app.
- Click on your profile in the bottom right-hand corner.
- Click on the three horizontal line menu bar in the top right-hand corner.
- Click “Settings and privacy,” then scroll down to Support, and click on “Report a problem.”
- Under Popular, tap on “I can’t start a LIVE,” then click “No.”
Your feedback will then be submitted to TikTok, so wait a least 24 hours to try starting another Live video.
Conclusion
Now that you know everything there is to know about going Live on TikTok, decide whether you want to try it out or not. If you meet all of the requirements, then it probably wouldn’t hurt to try, right?
Plus, you can’t forget all of the benefits that might potentially come out of it!
