How to stream on TikTok

Live streams on TikTok are a great way for creators to connect directly with their audience in real time. Going live on TikTok is an opportunity to share your passions, showcase your talents, and deepen your relationship with your audience.

Going live can also grow your audience, and even earn some money, with the freebies that can be received during a live. These gifts are virtual items that can be exchanged for money and which we will talk about later.

But not all users can do direct on TikTok, in addition to there being some conditions and requirements to get the most out of it. Find out how to stream on TikTok and some recommendations to be a better streamer on TikTok.

Who can do direct on TikTok?

To stream on TikTok, you must be at least 16 years old and have more than 1.000 followers on the platform. Also, if you're over 18, you can earn freebies while live, although it's against TikTok's rules to request freebies or offer incentives to get freebies.

Users who meet these requirements can do live broadcasts. This allows them to share content with their followers in real time, or to attract potential followers. To find out if you can broadcast direct on TikTok you just have to follow these steps:

  1. Open the TikTok app and log in to your account.
  2. Click on the plus sign “+” located at the bottom center of the screen.
  3. If you can see the option “LIVE” you are enabled to do live whenever you want.

If you see the option to make direct, but you have problems starting one, try in a few minutes. Sometimes TikTok limits the number of broadcasts by geographic area or country, especially when events occur (concerts, natural disasters, or highly relevant news).

How to make a live on TikTok?

To go live on TikTok you just have to meet the requirements (see the previous point) and follow these simple steps:

  • Open the app and tap the create icon (+) at the bottom of the screen.
  • Choose "LIVE" on the menu.
  • Add a title to your live stream and customize the settings to your liking. You'll find more information on setting up a stream on TikTok just below.
  • When you're ready, press "Broadcast live" or "Go LIVE” to start streaming your video. A countdown will be activated for you to prepare.
  • Once you're done with your live event, tap the power button at the bottom of the screen to end your broadcast.

Set up a direct on TikTok

By clicking on the optionLIVE” you will have a preview of your live broadcast and you will be able to customize some settings. You can take as long as you want until everything is as you like. Here are some of the most important settings:

  • Change the icon. This is a small image, like a cover, that serves to highlight your live broadcast.
  • Add a title. The title can be catchy, descriptive, or just plain funny.
  • Add the theme of the live. Adding one or more topics allows those who are looking for live shows on that topic to find your broadcast.
  • Support a charitable cause. You can choose a charitable cause that viewers can donate gifts to during your stream. You will see (or not) this option, and you will have more or less charitable causes, depending on the country where you are.
  • Flip the camera. This allows you to choose between the rear and front camera of a mobile or tablet.
  • Add enhancements or effects to the image. You can enhance the image with a dimmable filter, or add one of TikTok's fun effects to your stream.
  • Share the live. You can use this option to share a link to your live on your other social networks or by messaging.
  • Change settings. In the configuration section you can add moderators (up to 20), enable gifts during the live, enable/disable comments and also hide them (filtering them by keywords).

Once everything is configured you can press "Broadcast live" or "Go Live” to start your live on TikTok. During the live most of the options will still be available right at the bottom, such as sharing the live and adding effects and filters.

Tips before going live on TikTok

Here are some tips to make your TikTok broadcasts more successful:

  • Plan your content in advance: Make sure you have a clear plan for your live session and think about the type of content your audience would like to see. You can do a question and answer session, show how your creative process is, or introduce a special guest.
  • Invest in production: You don't need to spend a lot of money, but make sure you have good lighting, a stable camera, and a reliable internet connection. You can also add filters to improve the quality of the image.
  • Promote your session ahead of time: Advertise your live session ahead of time on your other social networks and make a promotional video to build buzz.
  • Interact with your audience: Don't just talk to the camera, make your session interactive and respond to comments and questions from your audience. This will make them feel like they are having a direct conversation with you and will keep them engaged.
  • Add a call to action or CTA (Call-To-Action): Don't forget to ask your audience to take some action, like following you on other social networks or visiting your website.
  • Use the statistics: After each live session, check the stats to find out how many people joined, how long they were watching your stream, and what type of content they liked the most. This will help you improve in your next sessions.

Planning and scheduling direct on TikTok

Ensuring success in a TikTok broadcast has to do with many factors, but the main one is that more people know about and wait for the broadcast. This can be accomplished with a bit of planning ahead and using the tools on the platform.

Let your followers know you have an upcoming live stream with TikTok's events feature. Access it by tapping the calendar icon in the top right corner of your TikTok profile.

Create an event with a name, start time, date, description, and duration. When your event is ready, you can share the link via in-app messaging or link to it in a video.

You can record a promotional video and add an event link. You can also use a live countdown sticker and use it on the video. Just open the sticker panel and customize the countdown sticker with the date and time of your event.

By clicking on the sticker, viewers can choose to receive a reminder when you are live on TikTok. I hope these tips are useful to you and that you have a lot of success in your TikTok broadcasts.


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