Ready to stream on the fastest-growing social media platform? This is your guide to how to go live on TikTok, why you’d want to, and how you can try to do it without the 1,000 follower minimum!
Going live on TikTok has the same benefits as going live on any social media channel: it’s your chance to connect with your audience in real-time.
When you’re live on TikTok, viewers can ask questions and engage with you right in the moment. There’s a spontaneity and authenticity that comes with broadcasting live. After all, you’re uncut, unedited, and uncensored! Anything could happen, and the chaos is thrilling (not to mention live streams are a great way to drive social commerce, too).
Whether you’re hosting a series, having a conversation, sharing a tutorial, or putting on a performance, live streams create opportunities to flex your skills and build your brand.
One unique benefit of going live on TikTok: if you’re over 18 years old, viewers can send you virtual gifts, which you can then exchange for cash. You can use this feature to raise money for charity, too—though the “exchange rate” isn’t great.
Table of Contents
How many followers do you need to go live on TikTok?
How to go live on TikTok on a tablet
How to join someone’s Live on TikTok
How to go live on TikTok without 1,000 fans
7 tips for going live on TikTok
Bonus: Get a free TikTok Growth Checklist from famous TikTok creator Tiffy Chen that shows you how to gain 1.6 million followers with only 3 studio lights and iMovie.
What are TikTok Lives?
TikTok Lives are real-time broadcasts that people watch on the TikTok app. They’re usually short and tend to be informal. Brands, however, often create more structured Lives, like in the case of a cooking show, workout tutorial, or product tutorials.
Much like Facebook Live and Instagram Live videos, TikTok live has quickly become a popular way of communicating. Brands can build trust, educate their audience, and increase engagement.
How many followers do you need to go live on TikTok?
You need 1,000 followers to go live on TikTok. And, you need to be at least 16 years of age. There is a rumored workaround for the 1,000 follower minimum —something we tried ourselves, but it didn’t work. Maybe you’ll have better luck? More on that below!
How to go live on TikTok
Here’s how to go live on TikTok if you have access to the platform’s live streaming capabilities.
1. Tap the Create icon on the home screen (that’s the plus sign on the bottom of the screen).
2. Swipe left all the way to LIVE in the bottom navigation, pick an image, and write a title for your stream. Remember: The title and cover image need to entice folks to click on your video, so make sure they grab your viewer’s attention!
Source: TikTok
3. Once you’re ready, press Go LIVE to start your stream. It will count you down from 3 and then boom! You’re live!
Source: TikTok
4. Once you’re live, you can tap the three dots to access settings and features. Here, you can flip your camera, add effects, filter comments, and add up to 20 moderators.
5. When you’re ready to wrap up, tap the X in the top-left corner to end your TikTok live stream.
How to go live on TikTok on a tablet
How to go live on TikTok on a tablet is exactly the same as going live on mobile. Follow the same steps listed above and you’ll have no problem.
How to join someone’s Live on TikTok
You can easily request to join someone else’s Live on TikTok.
- First, find the live you want to join, click on it, then head to the comments section.
- In the comments section, there is a button here that looks like two smiling faces. Tap this to send a request to join the broadcast.
- Once your request is approved, your screen will split into two. And voila, you have joined the live broadcast!
How to go live on TikTok without 1,000 fans
We’d been hearing some rumors that there was a workaround to go live, even without 1,000 fans. Though we definitely don’t endorse non-TikTok-approved hacks, we did have to try it.
Basically, the alleged workaround involved filing a support ticket (a.k.a., a lie) claiming that you used to have LIVE access and asking the customer service rep to “reinstate” this privilege.
But, long story short, we tried this hack, and it didn’t work.
You might have better luck than us. Here’s the suggested protocol:
1. To file this report, go to your profile and select the hamburger menu in the top right corner.
2. Go to Settings and Privacy
3. Scroll down to Report a problem
4. Under Popular, hit “I can’t start a LIVE”
5. From here, hit “No”
6. Then, fill out a report that says you could previously start a live broadcast but no longer can. Submit your report and wait for a representative to get back to you!
Apparently, this hack has worked for many before. But not for us. If it doesn’t work for you either, you’d better get to work building engagement to drive up your fan count organically.
7 tips for going live on TikTok
Live streaming is a big draw for content creators, marketers, and brands on the app. But if you’re new to TikTok, the idea of going live can be a bit daunting.
Going live without an audience, messing up on screen, or just generally flopping can be easily avoided. Don’t worry —we got you.
Here are seven tips to help you make the most of your TikTok Live experience.
Don’t wing it
Live streaming can be nerve-wracking, and if you’re not prepared, things can quickly go off the rails. Before you go live, take some time to plan out your content and rehearse what you’re going to say.
You’ll be less likely to get tongue-tied or cover up an awkward silence with an even more awkward dance move. Trust me, your TikTok followers will thank you for it.
Collaborate with friends
Collaborating with like-minded accounts will help you reach a wider audience and get more exposure for your brand. Or, consider teaming up with influencers. Their larger followings will help amplify your reach and help you connect with potential new fans.
Don’t be afraid to find someone to interview. Interviews are a great way to provide valuable content and connect with your audience on a personal level.
Give people a reason to attend
Whether it’s offering exclusive content or hosting a giveaway, make sure your viewers have an incentive to tune in. TikTok is all about entertainment, so find a hook that will make your live stream interesting and worth watching.
Ask yourself, what makes your live stream unique? Consider what will make people want to stick around for the entire broadcast. Finally, make sure it’s interesting. Live streaming is all about engaging with your audience in real-time. Keep the conversation flowing and make sure there’s never a dull moment.
Promote in advance
By promoting your stream in advance, you’ll have a better chance of attracting an audience.
You can promote in a number of ways, the most popular of which is posting about it on social media. You’ll want to cross-promote your posts on all of your social channels to reach the maximum number of people possible. And, of course, you can use Hootsuite to schedule this promotional, multi-channel campaign.
You might even end up creating other content that promotes your stream. Maybe you’re conducting an interview and want to link off to a landing page that has more information about the event. Be sure to shorten your URL before you post it.
The key is to start promoting your stream a few days in advance so that people have time to clear their schedules and tune in.
If you’re a Creator, you can promote your stream with a TikTok LIVE Event. LIVE Events are a TikTok feature where creators can let their audience know when they’ll be going LIVE in advance. People can register for your event and get notifications prior. And now, you can even do paid promotions through TikTok.
Find the right time
Before you go live, it’s important to find the right time. That’s where Hootsuite’s best time to publish feature comes in. It’ll help you figure out when your audience is most likely to be online and engaging with you. So take a look and plan your TikTok live stream accordingly. Trust me, it’ll make all the difference.
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Keep it short
Roughly 30 minutes is a good length for a TikTok live video —depending on your content. You want to engage your audience for long enough that they won’t leave before you’re ready to end.
Planning for 30 minutes gives you enough time to
- accomplish your goals
- engage your audience (don’t forget about the chat!)
- leave you with a buffer for anything that might derail the stream
Set the scene
Set up your space in a clean area with an atmosphere you can control. Make sure you have a stable filming surface with good lighting. A ring light, for example, will make your live stream look more professional.
Be aware of your surroundings and make sure you won’t be interrupted while you’re filming. The last thing you want while you’re filming a professional product review video is to have your husband burst in asking whether or not you remembered to buy toilet paper.
You can’t edit your live videos, so try to mitigate any potential problems beforehand.
Grow your TikTok presence alongside your other social channels using Hootsuite. Schedule and publish posts for the best times, engage your audience, and measure performance — all from one easy-to-use dashboard. Try it free today.
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FAQs
One way to go live on TikTok without 1000 followers is to use a growth service like UseViral or SidesMedia. These services provide real and organic views to your live stream, making it appear as though you have more than 1000 viewers.
Can you go live on TikTok with any amount of followers? ›
Requirements for going Live on TikTok.
First, you must be at least 16 years of age — this is determined by your birthdate when you initially create your TikTok profile — and second, you'll need to have at least 1,000 followers to unlock the capability to go Live.
What happens when you get 1,000 followers on TikTok? ›
When you reach 1,000 followers on TikTok, you gain access to the LIVE tool, which includes live events, donations, presents, Q&A sessions, and going live with other producers.
Can I go live on TikTok with 500 followers? ›
How many followers do you need to go live on TikTok? To access the Live feature on the TikTok app, you must have at least 1000 followers.
Can I go live on TikTok with 250 followers? ›
One unique feature of TikTok is the ability to go live and connect with your followers in real-time. However, TikTok's 1000 follower rule can make it challenging for new users to go live. This rule requires users to have at least 1000 followers before they can access the live streaming feature.
Can I still go live on TikTok if I lose followers? ›
You might have lost some followers.
If your follower count has slipped under 1,000, you'll lose the ability to use TikTok LIVE.
How many likes do I need to get paid on TikTok? ›
To earn money directly from TikTok, join TikTok's Creator Fund. To do this, you need to have a minimum of 10,000 authentic followers (sorry, bots!) and have accrued at least 100,000 views over the last 30 days. (You also need to be 18 or older and live in the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, or Spain.)
Why did TikTok ban me from going live? ›
Your TikTok account may be banned due to a flaw or glitch in the app's algorithm. If you're 100% sure that you didn't violate TikTok's community guidelines, send an appeal immediately to lift your ban.
How many followers do you need to get verified on TikTok? ›
How Many Followers Do You Need To Get Verified On TikTok? Tiktok doesn't have followers or likes requirements for account verification. However, it has been noticed that if you have at least 1 million likes in total and 500,00 followers on your account, then TikTok might consider giving you a blue tick.
How do I go live on TikTok 2023? ›
Launch the app on your iPhone or Android mobile device. Simply tap the “Plus” (+) icon in the bottom-center of the screen. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a few options: Camera, Templates, and LIVE. The next step is to click on the LIVE option by moving your finger to the left until you reach “LIVE.”
"According to reports from top influencers, TikTok pays around $0.02 and $0.04 for every 1,000 views. These are reports based on payments received through the TikTok Creator Fund. This is a program that TikTok introduced in 2021 in a bid to compensate content creators for creating content on the platform.
How much money is 1K followers on TikTok? ›
For 1-10K fans, prices usually start at around $5 per 1000 likes. If you're looking to get 10K or more, however, it will cost upwards of $15 per 1000 TikTok followers. Less than 1K is typically around $30 per 1000 TikTok views, although the most competitive pricing may depend on the company that you buy from.
How much money is 2,000 followers on TikTok? ›
Not as large an amount, but still very decent. If you have 200,000 followers, you can earn $100 to $200 per post. If you have 2,000 followers, you can make $5 to $9 per post. Some brands may even offer free products as compensation.
How to go live without 1k followers? ›
Depending on your region, you must have at least 100 or 1,000 followers to go Live, but you can request an exception by contacting TikTok. If you don't meet the requirements, send a request to enable Live by going to Settings and privacy, then Report a problem.
How many followers do you need to get paid on TikTok? ›
If you want to make money directly from TikTok, you'll need to have at least 10,000 followers, plus at least 100,000 video views in the last 30 days. Read more about the TikTok Creator Fund below.
How long can I stay live on TikTok? ›
Length: You can go live for about 60 minutes, but TikTok recommends keeping your streams to 30 minutes. Post consistently: Having a recent video on your followers' For You or Following page means that they will see a special icon that lets them enter your stream directly.
How much does TikTok live pay? ›
According to reports from top influencers, TikTok pays around $0.02 and $0.04 for every 1,000 views. These are reports based on payments received through the TikTok Creator Fund. This is a program that TikTok introduced in 2021 in a bid to compensate content creators for creating content on the platform.
How to get 1k followers on TikTok in 5 minutes? ›
Creating engaging and unique content is key when deciding how to get 1k followers on tiktok in 5 minutes. Your content should be high-quality, visually appealing, and entertaining. It should also be unique and stand out from the crowd.
How do I get access to join live on TikTok? ›
Open the TikTok app. Tap the notification icon in the top-right corner of the main screen. You'll find the invite in your list of recent notifications. Tap “Join LIVE” to join the stream.
How to make money on TikTok without 1k followers? ›
To participate in the content creation programme and earn money on TikTok, users must meet the following requirements:
- be at least 18 years old;
- post original content that adheres to the site's guidelines;
- publish at least three videos in the past month; and.
- receive an average of at least 10,000 views per video.
To get free TikTok followers organically, ensure you regularly post high-quality, engaging content, use trending hashtags, collaborate with other creators, and engage with your audience.
Is 20k followers a lot on TikTok? ›
In 2021, over 50.5 percent of TikTok influencers in the United States had only 1,000 to 5,000 followers. Around 30 percent of TikTok influencers had between 5,000 and 20,000 followers in the examined period. In comparison, only 0.24 percent of TikTok influencers in the U.S. had over one million followers in 2021.
Can you join a TikTok live without 1k? ›
What if I don't have 1,000 followers? Currently, it is not possible to host a TikTok LIVE if you don't meet the 1,000 followers requirement. However, you can join someone else's live stream as a guest (more on that below).
Can I buy followers to go live on TikTok? ›
While it's not technically against its terms of service, TikTok does not want you to buy followers. All of the social media platforms want real people creating and interacting with real content.
Do you get paid for likes on TikTok live? ›
As mentioned earlier, TikTok pays its creators based on their video's engagement rate, including the number of views, likes, comments, and shares. However, there is no fixed number of likes that you need to get paid on TikTok.
How much is 500k likes on TikTok? ›
How much money is 500k views on TikTok? TikTok pays approximately $15 for 500,000 views.
How much money does TikTok pay for 1 million followers? ›
It is estimated that TikTok pays anywhere between $20 to $50 per 1 million followers – with brand deals, endorsem*nts, and other revenue streams, the amount could be higher or lower depending on the type of deal agreed upon.
How much money for 1 million views on TikTok? ›
According to at least one survey from several TikTok contributors though, the amount TikTok pays out per 1000 views was roughly $0.02-0.04. That means that for a million views, you can expect to receive between $20-40.
What time should I post on TikTok? ›
The best times to post on TikTok are Tuesdays from 2 to 6 p.m., Wednesdays from 2 to 5 p.m. and Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m. Afternoons are when the highest engagements are on the platform; users are looking to fill their afternoon entertainment boost.
What are the new TikTok live rules? ›
TikTok LIVE allows our community to interact in real-time. To bolster a safe experience on LIVE, we have a higher minimum age threshold for this feature. You must be 18 years and older to go LIVE, and to send gifts to a creator during a LIVE session. Our guidelines listed above also apply to going LIVE.
To submit an appeal:
- Locate the notification in your TikTok inbox.
- Tap the notification.
- Tap Submit an appeal.
- Follow the instructions provided.
The most-followed individual on the platform is Khaby Lame, with over 157 million followers. He surpassed the previous most-followed account, Charli D'Amelio, on 22 June 2022.
Do you get paid if you are verified on TikTok? ›
Verified TikTokers don't get paid by the platform (unless they choose to join TikTok's Creator Fund), but they are more likely to attract attention from brands looking for new content partners.
Can a normal person get verified on TikTok? ›
Some account requirements we consider for verification include: Active: Your account must have logged in within the past 6 months. Authentic: Your account represents a real person, business, or entity. Only one verification per business or person except for language-specific accounts.
How can I get a gift from TikTok? ›
To apply to Video Gifts:
- In the TikTok app, tap Profile at the bottom.
- Tap the Menu button at the top.
- Tap Creator tools, then tap Video Gifts.
- Tap Apply and follow the instructions provided.
2. What is the Age Limit for TikTok? The minimum age for a TikTok user is 13 years old. While this is great news for younger users, it's important to note that TikTok doesn't use any age verification tools when new users sign up.
How do you get famous on TikTok without showing your face? ›
Animations are a fun way of affirming your presence on TikTok without showing yourself. They can be entertaining animations or informative. Screen recordings are a great way to show people how to go through a process or how to use certain software. You can a voice recording to explain the process or the steps.
How much does TikTok pay for 10k? ›
These are then converted to diamonds before being deposited as real money in your account. Further, TikTok pays you if your account holds more than 1500 followers for live shows. Therefore, you can expect to earn around $100 for every 10,000 followers on live shows.
Can you buy TikTok likes? ›
Can you buy likes on TikTok? Yes, you can buy TikTok likes. In fact, there are numerous services that deliver likes for your videos in a matter of moments just by handing over your credit card.
How to make quick money? ›
How to make money fast
- Become a rideshare driver. ...
- 2. Make deliveries. ...
- Pet sit. ...
- Sell clothes and accessories online. ...
- Sell unused gift cards. ...
- Take surveys. ...
- Trade in old electronics. ...
- Host a yard sale.
Micro-influencers with 10,000 to 100,000 followers (earnings of $60-$90 per post) 100k-500k followers – mid-tier influencers (payouts range from $200-400) 500k-1 million followers – macro-influencers (earn $400-600 per post) 1 million or more followers – TikTok royalty (earn $750 – $1000 or more per post)
How much is 500 roses on TikTok? ›
On TikTok, the rose gift costs 1 coin, which equates to about 1.4 US cents. Article continues after ad The rose is one of the cheapest gifts you can send on TikTok Live. Other 1-coin gifts... We just multiply the price of 500 roses, which is $6.59, by two, giving ups a price of roughly $12.98 for 1,000 roses.
Who pays more TikTok or Instagram? ›
Published on February 09, 2023. The average brand collab pays more on Instagram than on TikTok.
How much does 2 million followers on TikTok pay? ›
An influencer with around 2 million followers might make between $9 – $38 per day. Perhaps it's best not to quit the day job after all!
Can you go live with a private account on TikTok? ›
On TikTok, you can choose whether to have a private account or a public account. If you have a private account, only people you approve can follow you, view your videos, LIVE videos, bio, likes as well as your following and followers lists.
Can I make money on TikTok live with 1000 followers? ›
To participate in its ad-revenue sharing program, TikTok Pulse: a creator must be 18 years or older, have at least 100,000 followers, and have posted at least 5 videos in the previous 30 days. To receive subscription revenue from TikTok Live: a creator must be 18 years or older and have a minimum of 1,000 followers.
How many followers do you need to be verified on TikTok? ›
How Many Followers Do You Need To Get Verified On TikTok? Tiktok doesn't have followers or likes requirements for account verification. However, it has been noticed that if you have at least 1 million likes in total and 500,00 followers on your account, then TikTok might consider giving you a blue tick.
Can you join someone else's TikTok live without 1000 followers? ›
What if I don't have 1,000 followers? Currently, it is not possible to host a TikTok LIVE if you don't meet the 1,000 followers requirement. However, you can join someone else's live stream as a guest (more on that below).
What are the requirements to go live as a guest on TikTok? ›
To request to join a TikTok LIVE:
- During a LIVE video, tap the Multi-guest button, then tap Apply.
- Once the creator accepts the request, you'll be directed to the video settings which allow you to add the Enhance filter, select Props, and turn the camera and audio on or off. ...
- Once you're ready, tap Go LIVE.
As for the TikTok Creator Fund, you can earn between 2 and 4 cents for every 1,000 views. This means you might expect $20 to $40 after reaching a million views. Learn more about the TikTok Creator Fund here.
One way to go live on TikTok without 1000 followers is to use a growth service like UseViral or SidesMedia. These services provide real and organic views to your live stream, making it appear as though you have more than 1000 viewers.
