TikTok Live Streaming: How to Go Live on TikTok [2024 Update]

TikTok has become a household name worldwide. The popular social media platform enables users and organizations to create engaging content and live videos, increase audience engagement, earn money and more. TikTok is so popular that as of the beginning of 2024, there are 900.7 million active users worldwide.

Other platforms such as Netflix, YouTube and Facebook have been influenced by the success of TikTok. With its far-reaching influence, its ability to start new trends and spread important information is unparalleled. Furthermore, its bite-size content format is highly palatable and addictive, keeping users hooked. Ultimately, any savvy brand, business or broadcaster can benefit from going live on TikTok.

In this article, we cover creating a successful TikTok live stream. We’ll detail what organizations and users of all kinds need to know about live streaming and the TikTok Live experience. Finally, we provide some expert tips that you can implement for hosting a successful live TikTok stream and live broadcast.

• Table of Contents
• What is TikTok?
• TikTok Live Streaming: The Basics
• Is TikTok Streaming Worth It?
• Who Can Live Stream on TikTok?
• How to Live Stream on TikTok 
• Tips for Successful TikTok Live Streams
• How Many Followers on TikTok to Go Live
• How to See Who is Live on TikTok
• Solutions for Advanced Streaming Needs
• Conclusion

January 2024 update:

The TikTok desktop streaming software is now called TikTok Live Studio. When downloaded to your desktop it allows users to log in with their TikTok account and stream directly to TikTok Live. The key benefit of TikTok is that creators will remain within their app instead of asking their audience to watch streams on Twitch or the YouTube live platform.

What is TikTok?

TikTok is a social media app that is designed for video sharing.

Originally, videos on this app were capped at 60 seconds, but recently, the app has evolved to allow videos up to 3 minutes in length.

This Chinese app was originally launched in 2016 by the developer ByteDance as “Douylin.” The next year, ByteDance purchased Musical.ly. The Musical.ly technology’s functionality is very similar to the TikTok app we have today.

In August 2018, Musical.ly merged with TikTok, and the company kept the name “TikTok.” Within the next six months, the TikTok app crossed the 1 billion download threshold. Since then, TikTok’s downloads have more than doubled.

During lockdowns at the start of the pandemic in early 2020, there was a large surge in the app’s popularity. TikTok dances and trends inspired by the boredom of being stuck at home became a sign of the times.

Video is the only type of media that can be shared on the TikTok app, but users can pull sounds from other videos to create their content.

Unlike other social media platforms sometimes geared towards professionals, TikTok has a unique culture regarding the type of content shared on the app and the formats in which it is shared. Different songs go viral on TikTok and create trends. Users take the songs to put their twist on the trend. Users can also “Stitch” or “Duet” videos to incorporate TikToks made by other users in their content.

In 2019, TikTok added support for live streaming.

TikTok Live Streaming: The Basics

TikTok’s live streaming support allows creators to broadcast videos to their followers in real time. Live streaming is more engaging than pre-recorded content since it gives viewers a more lifelike interaction with the creator.

Live streaming is not an automatic feature on TikTok, and users must meet specific criteria to access this feature.

Is TikTok Streaming Worth It?

With so many social media platforms out there, is it even worth including TikTok streaming on your list? As a business or video broadcaster, you want to maximize your content’s exposure and revenue.

TikTok streaming might not be as old as some other platforms, but it’s got an extensive user base and is gaining daily traction. Here are some statistics that might surprise you:

• According to this report, TikTok has more than 1 billion monthly active users. That’s quite an impressive audience that can make TikTok streaming worth the hassle for any content creator.
• Wondering how many of these users are US-based? According to this Tweet, quite a few numbers are rising, so the time to start TikTok streaming is now.
• The average user opens the app eight times a day and spends an astonishing 95 minutes on the app per day. That adds up to a total of about 26 hours a month! Those numbers are pretty high when compared to other big social media companies.
• TikTok streaming is also a great monetization strategy for your video content. In 2020 alone, the application generated $500 million in revenue.

Who Can Live Stream on TikTok?

Users must be at least 16 years old and have 1000 followers to access live streaming capabilities on TikTok.

TikTok can revoke users’ live streaming rights (either temporarily or permanently) if they violate community guidelines. We will talk more about abiding by these guidelines later in this post.

How to Live Stream on TikTok 

You can easily live stream on TikTok in just a few simple steps.

It’s pretty straightforward if you meet the criteria for going live on TikTok.Here’s a simple step-by-step breakdown of the process:

1. Log in to your TikTok app and click the Create button (the small button with a + in a box at the bottom of the screen).
2. Scroll to the right of the “Live” option.
3. Choose a cover image and a title for your stream.
4.  Apply any effects or filters you’d like, then click the red “GO LIVE” button.
5. That’s it! You are now TikTok live streaming!

You can also add moderators to monitor the chat to avoid inappropriate or obnoxious chatter. If you’re planning a live stream later, you can schedule it by clicking the calendar icon in your TikTok profile. You’ll be prompted to add an event name, set a start time and duration, and write a description. Click “Create” to save the event.

Tips for Successful TikTok Live Streams

As we’ve covered, live streaming on TikTok is very straightforward if your account is eligible for live streaming. However, there are some things that creators can do to enhance their live-streaming experience and find greater success.

Let’s review a few top tips and best practices for live streaming on TikTok.

Follow the Rules

TikTok has strict community guidelines. If you want to maintain good standing on the platform and keep your live-streaming privileges, it’s important to follow all of the rules.

Community guidelines on TikTok prohibit content involving:

• Violence, terrorism, and organized hate
• Adult content (sexual or pornographic)
• Hate speech
• Slurs and derogatory language
• Weapons
• Criminal activity (drugs, fraud, gambling, etc.)
• Violent and graphic content
• Self-harm and suicide
• Grooming and exploitation of minors
• Misinformation, impersonation, and spam

It is important to keep it clean, especially since there are so many young users on the TikTok app.

Interact with Viewers

The informal nature of TikTok live streams often works in favor of creators. When done right, TikTok live streams can make viewers feel like they are on a video call with a friend. That helps make your audience feel more attached to your brand, which is a win-win.

However, to create that effect, you must create more personalized interactions. The chat features on TikTok live streams help you do just that. Encourage participation by asking questions and inviting your viewers to respond in the chat. Read different responses out loud and answer them directly.

Calling your viewers by their usernames and responding to their comments can help them feel seen and heard. That’ll make them feel like they are part of a conversation rather than just a spectator.

Go Live Often

If you are trying to build a loyal audience, it is a good idea to go live often. You can create a schedule, so your supporters and followers know when to tune in. If you want to stick to a more sporadic schedule, give your followers a heads-up, so they have at least some notice.

Invite a Co-Host

One cool feature of TikTok’s live streaming tool is adding a co-host to your live stream. Broadcasters can invite other TikTok users to join the stream as a presenter. Who you invite to co-host your stream with you depends on the nature of your brand.

For example, if you’re a creator in the true-crime space, your audience might enjoy guest appearances from retired law enforcement personnel who can help you analyze current happenings. Other brands benefit from inviting celebrities or influencers onto the stream because that will help to attract new viewers.

Pay Attention to Stream Quality

Maintaining a pleasant user experience is key for a successful live stream, so ensuring that your streaming quality is good is a must. You can do a few things to produce a high-quality livestream

First and foremost, it is important to stream with a reliable internet connection. A weak internet connection could cause the video to be choppy or to fail midstream.

You also want to make sure that your audio is clear. Eliminate any background noises that are distracting or drown out your voice. Stay close enough to the microphone so your viewers can hear you.

Also, make sure the stream is visually appealing. Stream somewhere with adequate lighting. Use a tripod or prop up your phone in a way that captures you from a flattering angle. Try to get a shot that is straight on rather than tilted up or down.

Remember to Have Fun

As a social media platform, TikTok is full of fun and lighthearted content. It is a good idea to match that energy to meet the general TikTok audience’s expectations.

Don’t be afraid to have fun and crack some jokes. Your audience will feel it if you’re at ease and having a good time.

If your brand typically takes a more serious approach and requires a more formal digital environment, a TikTok video strategy might not be the best route for you.

How Many Followers on TikTok to Go Live

TikTok Streaming is allowed for users who follow these criteria:

• User must be at least 16 years of age, or above
• The user should have a minimum of 1000 followers
• To send and receive gifts, the user must be above 18 years of age.

So what to do if your following is below 1000? Some users report using a “hack” that has worked for them. Although not officially endorsed, users with less than 1000 followers can request access to TikTok live by messaging through the “report a problem” and “send us your feedback tool.”

How to See Who is Live on TikTok

There are a few things you can do to ensure success in your TikTok live streaming endeavors.

As a creator, it’s important to keep the user experience in mind. With that, you must let your audience know how they can find your live streams on TikTok, especially if you’re bringing supporters over from other live-streaming platforms

There are a couple of different ways that viewers can see who is live on TikTok.

The first option is to tap the “LIVE” button in the top left corner of your screen. You can scroll through live streams or click “Explore” on the right side to see some more lives currently running.

Users can also scroll through their “Following” or “For You” pages, and suggested live streams will appear among the other suggested videos. Sometimes, live stream notifications pop up in the users’ inboxes.

Solutions for Advanced Streaming Needs

If your target audience is on TikTok and you’re looking for a more casual way to connect with them, this social media streaming app will come in handy.

However, if you’re hoping to live stream virtual events, such as conferences, sporting events, lectures, fitness classes, or the like, you’re going to need support from a professional streaming solution.

A professional streaming solution allows broadcasters and businesses to create an on-brand experience for their viewers with influential white-label video players that can be customized and embedded anywhere. Many online video platforms also offer video monetization, enhanced security, and more.

For such a professional streaming solution, we recommend Dacast. With Dacast, all your advanced streaming needs will be met. Dacast’s feature-rich and flexible platform will enable you to customize your brand image and stream live videos. Video monetization and 24/7 support come as standard, too.

Moreover, Dacast supports simulcasting. Simulcasting allows you to simultaneously your video to multiple destinations directly from the platform. Along with TikTok, you’ll be able to seamlessly broadcast to YouTube, Facebook, Twitch and more.

Final Thoughts

TikTok continues to be one of the go-to social media platforms today. It singlehandedly changed the game by making short-form videos more relevant. From large brands to budding influencers, TikTok is allowing savvy creators and marketers to extend their reach, gain more traction and raise awareness.

TikTok is a great foundation for live-streaming. However, professional organizations and creators who want to maximize their reach need a more advanced solution.

Dacast is one such advanced solution. Dacast is a professional-grade platform made for those wanting the best streaming support. The unified streaming solution is equipped with all the features broadcasters need for streaming the highest quality video content. Furthermore, Dacast comes with white-label video player, HLS streaming, cloud transcoding, reliable CND partnerships and much more.

You can try Dacast’s feature-rich platform today completely free for a full 14 days.

Start Streaming for Free

For regular live-streaming tips  and exclusive offers, we invite you to join our LinkedIn group