Is the goal of your TikTok exploration to find the one video that will make your account go viral? We don’t have it, but there is a way to come close with what we do have. Using TikTok LIVE, you can connect with your audience in real time and potentially gain new fans.
What exactly is TikTok Live?
Like Facebook Live, Instagram Live, and YouTube Live, TikTok LIVE is TikTok’s take on real-time video streaming. TikTok LIVE is a real-time communication and collaboration feature, the platform claims. A few stipulations and limitations apply:
Although there is a hack for TikTok Live at the moment (more on that later), you need at least a thousand followers to access it.
To start your own live-streaming website, you must be 16 or older.
Gift giving and receiving during a LIVE requires users to be 18 or older. You can turn the gifts your viewers give you during a live broadcast into real money.
When and how to broadcast on TikTok
If you meet the aforementioned criteria, here’s how to release your content on TikTok:
- Flip the camera open.
- Select LIVE from the list of options that appears beneath the red button.
- Get creative and think of a name for your live broadcast.
- Pick a profile pic, a subject, and any other modifers you like.
- Select the pink “GO LIVE” button.
Tips for streaming on TikTok if you don’t have 1,000 followers
As it stands, there is a “trick” to bypass the minimum of 1,000 followers needed to access TikTok Live. This is what you should do:
To access your profile settings, tap the hamburger menu located in the top right corner of your profile.
Find the “Send a problem report” option and tap it.
For help getting started, select “I can’t start a TikTok LIVE.”
Select “No” if you are asked if the issue has been fixed.
Simply type “Hello, I am unable to access TikToK Live” into the “Send us your feedback” box.
Sending this off will get you into TikTok Live in about 48 hours.
Step-by-step instructions (with screenshots) on how to broadcast on TikTok without first amassing 1000 followers:
- First, access your profile’s settings by tapping the hamburger menu in the profile’s upper right.
- Second, select “Send a problem report.”
Click the “I can’t start a LIVE” button in Step 3.
The fourth step is to say “No” when asked if the issue has been fixed.
Fifth, in the space designated for “Send us your feedback,” jot down the following: - My attempt to join TikTok Live has failed.
Step #6: Send it off, and you should be good to go on TikTok Live within a couple of days.
Best practises and live tips for using TikTok
Establish a target
It’s important to set goals for your TikTok LIVE broadcast. Is it to spread the word about a new offering, increase site visits, promote an existing one, or simply foster relationships with your target demographic?
The options are practically limitless, but deciding on a goal before going live will help you make the most of your live stream for advertising.
Choose an appropriate subject
When you know what you want to achieve, you can select a topic that will lead you in the right direction. Make sure your topic is interesting. If you’re trying to get the word out about a new product, you could talk about the ways in which your audience can put it to use in answering a common question.
Organise your life
You need structure if you want your viewers to stick around until the end of your live stream. Greeting new viewers and introducing yourself is a good place to begin. Once you have a substantial viewership, you can introduce the broadcast’s main focus.
The meat of your livestream can be organised however you like, so long as it makes sense and keeps viewers interested. Instructional videos, for instance, or a Q&A session, both have distinct stages.
Keep it under 30 minutes
Set a goal for the amount of time you want to spend living. If you’re making a video for TikTok, keep in mind that the platform is best suited for shorter forms of media, so 30 minutes is a good cap to shoot for (yes, even when it comes to live streams). A good length would allow you to get your point across, while keeping the attention of your audience until the very end.
Launch at the optimal time
If we’re talking specifics, it’s important to launch when the bulk of your audience is active. This is the surest way to maximise your number of followers and interactions. You’ll find this data in the Follower Activity section of your TikTok analytics. This logic is self-evident: if you broadcast in real time when your target demographic is online, you will increase interaction.
Don’t Use Scripts
Making a plan ahead of time is essential. Having said that, avoid having your videos come across as too scripted. TikTok’s raw, unfiltered content is a big part of its appeal. Stiff and scripted live streams may not go over well with the TikTok crowd.
Conclusions
The ability to go live on TikTok is a powerful tool for expanding your network, attracting new followers, and attracting more eyeballs to your website. There is no need for post-production work; simply talk to the camera. If you’re feeling nervous about starting a live stream, having a friend (or even just a follower) join you can help ease your nerves.