TikTok Live: What is it, and why is it a game changer?
Like Facebook Live or Instagram Live, TikTok Live is a great way to connect with your followers and showcase your talent or personality in real-time. They provide an informal and interactive platform that allows people to communicate with each other and engage with content.
TikTok Lives are usually short, allowing viewers to quickly consume the content and move on if they don’t find it interesting.
Brands and individuals can use this platform to create more structured Lives, such as cooking shows, workout tutorials, or product tutorials. This helps build trust between the brand and its audience and educate them about the products or services being offered.
Live on TikTok allow users to interact with their audience through comments and reactions, and they can be a fun and engaging way to share content on the platform. This encourages conversation and engagement between viewers, which benefits both brands and individuals.
With its growing popularity, TikTok Live has quickly become one of the most popular online communication methods and an easier method to grow your account.
Why? Because when you go live, TikTok may recommend your stream to users who follow similar accounts or are interested in similar content. This can expose your content to a broader audience and potentially attract new followers.
In addition, the TikTok Live feature can be a great way to engage with your existing followers and build a stronger connection with them. Live streams allow real-time interaction and create a strong relationship with your followers.
However, some users may only be able to go live if they have a large following, thinking they need at least 1000 followers to go live on TikTok. This is not the case! Anyone with a TikTok account can go live on the platform, regardless of their follower count. I will show you how later on! So stay tuned š
Overall, going live on TikTok can be a fun and rewarding experience, regardless of your follower count. So don’t be afraid to give it a try!
What are the prerequisites for TikTok Live?
Here are the essential prerequisites for going live on TikTok:
- TikTok account: You obviously need a TikTok account to go live on the platform. If you don’t already have one, you can sign up for TikTok using your email address or phone number.
- Smartphone or tablet with the TikTok app installed: You will need to have a smartphone or tablet with the TikTok app installed to go live on the platform. You can download the TikTok app from the App Store or Google Play Store. You can’t go live on TikTok from your browser.
- Stable internet connection: To ensure a smooth and uninterrupted live stream, you need a stable internet connection. You can use a Wi-Fi or mobile data connection, but ensure you have a strong and reliable signal. Otherwise, TikTok won’t push your live.
- Camera and microphone: To go live on TikTok, you must have a device with a working camera and microphone. Most smartphones and tablets have built-in cameras and microphones, but you should check that they function correctly before going live.
- Live stream settings: Before going live on TikTok, you must choose your live stream settings, including your privacy settings (e.g., public or private) and any special features you want to use (e.g., beauty filters). You will have the opportunity to adjust these settings before starting your live stream.
- Having 1,000+ followers on TikTok: But don’t worry, I will show you how to go live further down!
- Have at least 16 years old: Even if you can use TikTok at age 13, you must have 16 years old to take advantage of the feature.
- To receive virtual gifts from TikTok users, you must be at least 18 years old: TikTok Coins and Gifts is an excellent way for viewers to show their appreciation and support for your content. It gives creators a chance to monetize their work, as they can exchange the gifts they receive into TikTok Diamonds, which can be exchanged for real money. However, to receive these gifts, you must be part of the TikTok Creator Next community and be at least 18 years old. This ensures that only mature creators can take advantage of this feature.
Once you have these prerequisites, you should be ready to go live on TikTok!
The exact steps on how to live on TikTok
Once you have reached all the points above, it’s time to start your first TikTok live! Congratulation š
So, let’s see how to do it in 5 simple steps :
Step 1: Open the TikTok app and tap on the “+” icon in the bottom center of the screen.
Step 2: Tap on the “Live” icon on the right side.
Step 3: Allow TikTok to access your camera and microphone if prompted.
Step 4: Choose your recording options and settings, including your privacy settings (e.g., public or private), adding your title, description, cover photo, topic, and any special features you want to use (e.g., beauty filters).
Step 5: Tap on the “Go Live” button to start your live stream once you are ready. It will count you down from 3, and then tada! You’re live! Have fun on TikTok Live!
NB: if you want to go live for your tablet, you must follow the same steps!
But how to go live on TikTok without 1000 followers?
Currently, you don’t need to cross the 1000 followers requirement. There is a “hack” to go Live on TikTok. Here’s what to do:
Step 1: Open the TikTok app and go to your profile and go to your account setting from the hamburger menu on the upper right
Step 2: Scroll down to “Report a problem.” and select “Live”
Step 3: Select “I can’t start a TikTok LIVE.” Answer No and use the feedback box to send a message like this: “Hey, TikTok team! My followers urge me to go Live to interact all together, but since I don’t have 1000 followers, I can’t. Could you enable it for me? Thanks a lot!” and tap on send.
Step 4: Seat back and wait for the feature! It should be active within 72 hours.
The best tips and tricks to be successful with TikTok Live!
Going live can be intimidating, so I have compiled the best tips and tricks to be successful with your first TikTok Live!
Plan ahead
Before going live, it’s good to have a clear idea of what you want to talk about or show on your live. Choosing a relevant topic for your live stream is essential to achieving your goal, and it should be something that will capture the attention of your viewers and keep them engaged. Your topic should also be related to what you are trying to accomplish, whether promoting a new product or providing helpful information.
You can also consider preparing some props or visual aids to make your stream more engaging.
Select the right time to go Live
To get the maximum exposure and engagement, you should select the right time to go Live. Check your followers’ most active times in your TikTok analytics to choose the right time.
Engage with your audience
Encourage your viewers to participate by asking them questions, responding to their comments, and taking requests. The more your live will be interactive, the best it is for retention!
Use catchy titles
A catchy title can help attract more viewers to your stream. Be creative and use descriptive titles that convey the topic of your stream.
Don’t underestimate the quality of your video
Before going live, check the quality of your video:
- Adjust your lighting (you don’t have to select a high-quality ring. Use natural light).
- Be in a quiet place.
- Be sure not to be disturbed during your live and verify your internet connection.
Use the right hashtags
Hashtags can help your stream reach a wider audience, so use relevant and popular hashtags in your stream title and description.
Dangle the carrots to get people to watch your Live
To ensure people watch your live, you must give them a reason to tune in. Consider what makes your live stream unique and give viewers an incentive to watch. Whether offering exclusive content or hosting a giveaway, make sure your broadcast has something special to draw people in.
Promote your stream
Share a link to your stream on social media or send it to your friends and followers to let them know you are going live.
Have fun
Don’t take yourself too seriously, and have fun with your stream. The more fun you have, the more your audience will enjoy watching.
Experiment with different types of content
Try out different types of content, such as tutorials, Q&As, challenges, or entertainment, to see what works best for you and your audience.
Keep an eye on the comments
Monitor the comments section of your stream and respond to as many as possible. This will help you build a sense of community and keep your viewers engaged.
Don’t go above 30 minutes
Thirty minutes is often a good length for a TikTok Live because it’s long enough to cover various topics or activities but not so long that it becomes tedious for viewers to watch.
That being said, it’s essential to consider the attention span of your audience and the type of content you are sharing. If your stream is particularly engaging and your audience enjoys it, you can go longer than 30 minutes. On the other hand, if your stream is less attractive or your audience needs to gain interest, it may be a good idea to wrap up the stream sooner.
End your stream on a high note
Make sure to wrap up your stream with a strong closing statement and thank your viewers for tuning in.
Don’t be afraid to collaborate with other content creators
Like this, you will be able to reach a new audience and grow your following even faster! But don’t forget your niche. Choose your collaboration wisely! It will be useless to do a live with a man doing mechanics while you are in the vegan cooking niche.
Let’s wrap up this how-to go live on TikTok without 1000 followers post!
In conclusion, going live on TikTok is a great way to interact with your followers and share your content with a broader audience. Thanks to the hack I just gave you, you don’t need to have a certain number of followers to go live on TikTok.
Remember: to make your TikTok Live as successful as possible, consider planning, engaging with your audience, using catchy titles and relevant hashtags, promoting your stream, and ending on a high note. By following these tips, you can create an engaging and enjoyable live stream that will keep your viewers coming back for more.
