Besides the Amazon-owned Twitch and YouTube Live streaming platform, TikTok is the hottest place for online creators from all corners of the internet to set up a live stream (sorry, Instagram ).
From dancers and performers to political commentators and just people who hang out and vibe with strangers online, everyone can stream to millions of TikTok users. You can start your own TikTok live show or use the feature to better connect with followers after go viral. You might even find yourself on TikTok TV one day after building a big enough following.
Before you hit that “Go Live” button and start your live stream, there are a few things you need to know, including the prerequisites you need to meet to unlock the feature and how to host an engaging live session.
Who can go live on TikTok?
Although TikTok uploading is not limited to the most popular and viral accounts, your account must meet certain requirements to use the feature.
- Users must be at least 16 years old to be live on TikTok. You can only set your date of birth on TikTok once, so there’s no editing of your information to fool the app if you’re underage.
- The account must have over 1,000 followers (although some users have reported activating the feature before reaching this threshold).
TikTok has an FAQ page on growing an audience and acquiring followers. He suggests collaborating with other users with similar interests, posting videos regularly and, of course, participating in popular TikTok challenges and trends.
How to go live on TikTok
Once you have met the above requirements, it only takes a few clicks to go live. We recommend that you always make sure your app is updated to the latest version.
- On your TikTok homepage, tap the “Record” button you usually use to record or download videos centered at the bottom of your screen.
- TikTok will automatically launch your camera to record a regular video. At the bottom of your screen, you should see a white dot and the word “Camera.” Swipe left on this bar, past “Models,” to “Live.”
- In Live mode, you can name your live stream at the top of your screen next to your profile picture. Below, you can set a topic for your stream if you want to better connect with interested viewers. Once you’ve filled it out, tap the “Go Live” button centered at the bottom of your screen to start your live stream
Tips for Hosting a Successful Livestream
Launching your live TikTok stream is simple, but attracting and retaining viewers is something else entirely. Here are some tips for building an audience and preventing them from sliding to the next host.
- Be engaging. If users wanted to binge on TikToks as a single-player experience, they would scroll through their For You page. Viewers come to the live side of TikTok to connect with the hosts. Pay attention to your comments and answer questions from viewers, ask your audience questions, and build relationships with regulars to keep them coming back.
- Plan to live for a while. Don’t hop on TikTok to go live for a few minutes at a time. Most people like to sit down and watch a livestream for a while. You need to give viewers enough time to get a feel for your account. TikTok officially recommends streaming for at least 30 minutes.
- Go live regularly. You won’t catch many viewers if you jump at random times of the day. You’ll grow a larger following over time if you keep a regular schedule, or at least let people know about an upcoming live stream in advance with a regular TikTok post or announcement on other media platforms social.
- Use a tripod. Nobody wants to get motion sickness watching your live stream. Investing in a tripod will keep your live stream well framed and protect your phone so you can focus on hosting.
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- Good lighting is essential. Everyone is shooting these videos today, so there’s no reason for anyone to stop scrolling over a dark, grainy live stream. Solid lighting will make you look great, make your videos look more professional, and improve visibility with thousands of TikTok trending filters.
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