For a while I denied it, but TikTok has me in a chokehold and is refusing to let go. I may be seen singing viral TikTok noises and speaking strange lines from famous videos at all hours of the day.
Since exploding in 2020, the app has developed significantly, and its features are only becoming better. While the app has had a live component for some time, the short-form video platform just revealed additional live capabilities, positioning it as a serious challenger to Instagram and Facebook.
In this post, we’ll go through the key TikTok LIVE features, the prerequisites for going live, and a few pointers to keep in mind before you start your first broadcast.
TikTok LIVE Features
Going live on TikTok allows you to interact with your fans and establish a community. When going live, the app provides options for both artists and viewers to improve their experience.
Here are some of the highlights:
- Q&A — During your show, viewers can submit questions in real time.
- TikTok’s “Go Live Together” function allows you to go live with up to three other users.
- Live events — To develop anticipation for your live, you may plan and advertise your live to your followers ahead of time.
- Gifts — If you are a member of TikTok’s Creator Next Program, viewers can send you monetary badges during a live stream if they like your material. Only non-business accounts and users 18 years of age or older are eligible for these prizes (unless you reside in South Korea, where the minimum age is 19, or Japan, where the minimum age is 20.)
- Moderators — Before going live, you may appoint other users to monitor the chatroom to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for the content you’re providing.
- Keyword filtering — You may further secure your live broadcast by automatically eliminating comments that contain terms or phrases you’ve highlighted.
How to Go Live on TikTok for iPhone and Android
1. Run the application and tap the ‘+’ icon.
2. Click the ‘LIVE’ tab.
3. Choose a title.
4. Press the ‘Go Live’ button.
You may access the recording for up to 90 days after your live by heading to your “settings and privacy” page and selecting “LIVE replay.” You may then download or delete your live video.
Why am I unable to go live on TikTok?
You may not see the option to go live on TikTok for a variety of reasons, including:
- You’re under the age of 16.
- You don’t have more than 1,000 followers.
- You recently violated one of TikTok’s policies and are now being reviewed or suspended.
If you match the standards but are still unable to go live, you can contact TikTok.
Tips for Going Live on TikTok
1. Understand when your target audience is most engaged on the app.
When you go live, you want to ensure that you are reaching your intended audience. This entails determining when the majority of users are engaged on the app.
Check the “Followers” tab in Analytics to find out. It will tell you what hours and days your followers are most active, as well as other insights such as the most popular videos and noises among your followers.
All of this information will come in handy when it comes to making life decisions.
2. Set the stage.
Nothing gets me off of a livestream faster than terrible lighting.
The first thing you should do is set your lights ahead of time. Setting up in front of a window with plenty of natural light is one option, as is investing in artificial lighting.
The next thing you’ll need is a peaceful place to work. Make sure there isn’t a lot of background noise because it might distract viewers and make it difficult to keep their focus. You may potentially increase your sound quality by purchasing an external microphone.
Consider purchasing a tripod as well. This will allow you to move around freely while on the live stream.
Finally, ensure that your wireless connection is robust. If users are unable to hear or see you on the app, you risk losing them rapidly.
3. Establish a clear aim and outline.
Any time you intend to communicate with your audience, you should have a clear aim in mind. It might be increasing brand recognition, knowing more about your target demographic, directing people to your website, generating leads, and so on.
Outline your broadcast once you’ve determined your aim. This ensures that you explain your important ideas and achieve your final aim.
Here’s an example of a simple outline for a brand announcing the release of a new product:
- Welcome everyone and call out certain accounts.
- Declare the new product.
- Examine product characteristics such as advantages, features, and early consumer feedback.
- Distribute the coupon code.
- Send viewers to the website to make a purchase.
- Respond to queries regarding the new product.
- Sign off and direct people to the website.
4. You should have a moderator.
A moderator is a user you assign to make sure the chatroom is a safe and enjoyable space during your broadcast.
Chats are notorious for having bots and trolls that can distract users and keep you from seeing important messages from your audience. The moderator will help you manage the live and allow you to focus on engaging your audience and sharing your message.
Going live on TikTok is a great way to connect your audience and strengthen that brand loyalty. If you’re not yet at 1,000 followers, gather ideas for broadcasts by looking at your competitors and seeing which live strategy will be most effective in meeting your goal.
This way, you’ll be more than ready by the time your account meets the requirements.