Going live on TikTok has the same advantages as going live on any other social media channel. It is an excellent medium for authentic interactions with your audience in real time. When you’re live on TikTok, viewers can ask questions and interact with you in real time. Spontaneity, authenticity, and potential virality come with broadcasting live.
But one distinct edge is that if you’re over 18, viewers can send you virtual gifts, which you can then exchange for cash (more on monetizing live streams later, so keep on reading). Your content is, after all, uncut, unedited, and uncensored! Anything can happen, and the chaos is exciting (not to mention live streams are a great way to drive social commerce, too).
Ready to stream here? This is your guide to how to go live on TikTok and how you can monetize it.
TikTok Streaming 101: What You Need To Know Beforehand
Before you set up your first TikTok LIVE stream, ensure you’re eligible and have everything handled that will make your stream a success. Here is what you need:
1. Platform requirements for hosting a live stream
To go live on TikTok, you must have 1,000 followers and be 16 years old. To launch live events that encourage viewers to send monetary gifts or donations, the host needs to be 18 or older.
2. The community guidelines
Users who want to live stream on TikTok must be aware of and follow the platform’s community guidelines. These guidelines aim to moderate content across the platform to prevent criminal or unsafe behavior. TikTok will halt the event in case of violation, and your account may be temporarily or permanently banned.
3. Your topic’s main points ahead of time
Live streaming can be stressful, and things can quickly go wrong if you’re not prepared. Take some time before going live to plan out your content and practice what you’re going to say.
You’ll be less likely to stumble over your words or hide an awkward silence. Your TikTok followers will appreciate it.
4. Pre-announcements
You’ll have a better chance of attracting an audience if you promote your stream well in advance.
You can promote it in many ways, but social media is a great place to start. To reach the most number of people, cross-promote your posts across all of your social channels. If you’re a Creator, you can use a TikTok LIVE Event to promote your stream. LIVE Events are a TikTok feature that allows creators to notify their audience ahead of time when they will be going live. People can register for your event and receive notifications in advance.
5. Technical aspects
TikTok LIVE stream should not be overproduced. That isn’t to say that high-quality video isn’t essential. Make your live streams look as good as possible by filming in good lighting, checking sound quality, avoiding noisy interruptions, and using a solid internet connection. Nothing drives viewers away faster than a sluggish, pixelated video. Also, ensure no copyrighted content is playing in the background, as this could result in your content being removed and, in extreme cases, legal action!
Setting Up A TikTok LIVEstream Step By Step
Step 1: Set up the first TikTok LIVE stream
At the bottom of your feed, click the ‘+’ button. This will open the camera.
There will be timer and photo template options below the red record button.
You’ll need to scroll to the right to see the live feature (if it’s not there, you probably need more followers to enable it).
When you press the “Go Live” button, your camera will begin recording in 3 seconds.
It’s often helpful to run a few test streams before the official start time of your announced stream. This allows you to test and calibrate things ahead of time, avoiding delays that could later cost you viewers!
Step 2: Add a video title and cover photo
Once you are live, click on the two boxes in the upper right corner of the screen to add a cover photo and a caption. These are elements you should plan ahead of time, and what your audience will find “exciting” will vary depending on who you are attempting to reach. A good tip to remember is to make sure your title and cover convey the feel of your brand and give people a clear sense of why they should visit your stream.
You can also use relevant hashtags to boost the visibility and exposure of your video. You can research which hashtags other brands or influencers in your niche commonly use.
Step 3: Using filters
As a live streamer, your appearance matters. Fortunately, TikTok has filters that make you look presentable even if you barely have time to get dressed! You can use a few fun and quirky filters to lighten the mood and entertain your audience.
There will be two features above the “Go Live” button: “filters” and “smoothen.” Click the options to add each. Try them out and use what you need to improve the visual presentation of your stream.
Step 4: Ending the stream
When you’ve finished streaming, click the “x” in the top-left corner of the screen. The live stream can be saved and kept in your profile for up to 90 days. And there you have it! Your first live streaming is completed.
10 Best Practices For Going Live On TikTok
1. Timeslot
Make sure to go live when the majority of your users are online. This will guarantee you the most likes and engagement. This data is available in the Follower Activity section of your TikTok analytics. The logic here is self-evident: if you go live when your audience is online, you’ll get more engagement.
2. Length of time
Plan the time you will spend live. Because TikTok is geared toward shorter content, 30 minutes is an excellent maximum time limit to keep in mind (yes, even when it comes to live streams). You want enough time to complete your task, but you also want to keep it brief so that viewers stay until you’re ready to depart. Divide your time into the topics you want to cover so you can be done in 30 minutes.
3. Stay active
Post a video before your TikTok LIVE stream. If a user sees your video during the live broadcast, a special icon will appear that allows them to enter your stream directly.
4. Lighting
A good lighting setup can make a subtle but significant difference in the quality of your video. When filming your live, choose a well-lit location with natural lighting or consider investing in a ring light.
5. Sounds
Reduce background noise as much as possible. Make sure you can record from a private, quiet place so your audience can hear you clearly without disturbances. Scheduling your livestreams is handy in this scenario.
6. Internet connection
Check your internet connection speed before you go live. Make sure there are no drops and you have enough capacity to complete the stream. Consider upgrading to a higher-speed connection if you plan to go live often.
7. Camera angle
Too much movement can result in a shaky, blurry stream. Find a stable position for your phone or camera for the duration of your broadcast. Investing in a tripod stand with a Bluetooth clicker can also help.
8. Plan it out
Planning is essential. That being said, avoid making your videos appear scripted. The authenticity of the raw content contributes to TikTok’s allure. If your live streams appear stiff and scripted, they may not be well received by your TikTok audience. Structure your live so that they provide value to you and your audience, but keep them casual enough to foster an organic connection.
9. Engage your audience
TikTok LIVE’s primary purpose is to interact with users in real time. Check the incoming chats, answer their questions, and respond to them. Thank new followers for following you and any gifts you receive while recording.
10. Moderate your live
If creators choose, they can filter comments, mute viewers from commenting, and block someone from their livestream. You can inform your viewers if some words or phrases are banned, and don’t be afraid to make your community a safe space!
How To Make Money On TikTok LIVE
TikTok Creator Next
Creator Next is a program that allows qualified creators to access all of TikTok’s monetization features and tools.
TikTok established the Creator Fund to compensate creators for their work. The Creator Fund pays out based on a creator’s metrics. The fund aims to help creators “earn livelihoods” and “spark careers.”
To get access to Creator Next, here are the eligibility criteria. You must:
- Be 18+ and live in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, or Spain.
- Have a minimum of 10,000 followers.
- Have posted three videos in the last 30 days.
- Have a minimum of 1000 views in the previous 30 days.
- Have a Pro Account.
- Have a verified PayPal account for the payment process.
TikTok tools and features are incorporated into the Creator Next platform, which makes it easier for TikTok content creators to maximize their financial opportunities.
Receive Gifts
Another way to earn money during a live stream is the LIVE Gifts feature on TikTok. Viewers can send you virtual stickers during the live stream that represent coins. These gifts allow you to accumulate coins or diamonds that you can redeem for real money.
This is how it works:
- Viewers purchase coins with real money.
- They can buy virtual gifts with coins.
- You can then exchange these coins for diamonds.
- You can then exchange diamonds for cash.
- $1 = 100 coins (cost to your viewers). 2 coins equal 1 diamond.
- 200 diamonds for one dollar (value of money you can redeem).
All payouts are in USD, and you must accumulate a minimum of $100 before withdrawing funds to your PayPal account. TikTok also takes a 50% cut out of the total.
Get sponsorship deals
If you’ve been regularly live streaming but have yet to qualify for Creator Next and LIVE Gifts, securing brand deals and partnerships is your next best bet. This is when companies pay you to host a live stream and promote their product.
Here are some ways to host live streams for brands:
- Live Tutorial: You can give product demonstrations to your viewers and teach them how to use a tool or product from one of your sponsors.
- Live Shopping: You can try on brand merch for your audience and sell items directly from sponsors during your live stream.
- Live Q&As: You can feature guests or interview a member of the brand’s team about a topic that interests your audience.
You can always mention any brand whose products you use or support during your live streams. This is a great way to attract their attention and start the initial relationship.
Sell your merch
If you’ve thought of creating custom merch for your fans, this is a great way to earn additional income. Post TikTok content showcasing your products, including all the details that make them unique. Use your bio to add a link to your shop. And, with so many print-on-demand companies, there’s plenty of merchandise to choose from. You can turn T-shirts, tote bags, pillowcases, hats, coffee mugs, stickers, and more into your shop’s offering.
Profitability is not the only advantage of selling print-on-demand products. Branded merchandise gives your fans a more personal connection to your work, and every follower who wears your merchandise spreads the word about your company.
Promote affiliate products
If creating and selling merchandise sounds like too much work, you can promote other businesses’ products instead. When someone purchases through your affiliate link, you will receive a commission. TikTok affiliate marketing, like any other affiliate marketing strategy, entails using special tracking links to direct viewers to a sales page, typically via an intermediary affiliate blog, webpage, or social platform such as YouTube.
The goal is to use TikTok videos to build an audience you can monetize through affiliate sales. Of course, this assumes you already have a reasonable number of people watching and, ideally, engaging with your videos. If you don’t already have a high level of organic traffic, try some of our previous suggestions.
Grow Your TikTok Influence With Atisfyre
Going live on TikTok is a fantastic way to connect with your community and build an audience. The best part is how simple it is. No editing, and you must get in front of the camera and start talking. If you’re serious about becoming a content creator, you should include live streaming in your content strategy. You can expand your TikTok presence and collaborate with global brands on Atisfyre.
Securing brand partnerships does not have to consume all of your time. With Atisfyre, you must sign up and create your profile, and our intelligent algorithm will do the heavy lifting for you. Register here.
