Start streaming: how to go live on TikTok

As you scroll through your social media feeds, your friends’ weekend adventures unfold in photos and videos. Social media gives us a portal into other people’s lives and lets us share life’s most important moments. Chances are you care about or admire the people you follow, so it’s rewarding to feel like you’re participating in their lives.

The only thing better than sharing life’s special events via photos and videos is experiencing them in real time. That’s why live content is so popular on social media apps. Live video streaming lets viewers experience the spontaneity of everyday life.

If you’re on TikTok, your followers probably want to connect on a deeper level. Although they love watching pre-recorded videos of your attempts at the latest dance challenge or your experiments in the kitchen, watching you go off script helps them get to know you. So stream live, and interact in real-time with your fans.

We’ll explain how to help your fans feel a little bit closer to you with a guide on how to go live on TikTok.

How to go live on Tiktok

Find a tidy corner of your home and think up a riveting topic you can monologue about. It’s almost time to push play and go live for your fans on TikTok. Here’s how:

Mobile

1. Open the Tiktok app on your iPhone or Android mobile device.
2. Click on the plus sign at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select the Live feature and choose a title for your session. Configure your comment settings and add any desired special effects or filters. You’ll see a preview of your video style in this step.
4. Choose any additional social media platforms where you’d like to share your stream.
5. Click the Go Live button and start TikTok live streaming.

Desktop

Before you go live on TikTok on your PC, you’ll need to get TikTok LIVE Studio (only compatible with Windows) or download a third-party streaming software, such as OBS or Streamlabs, that’s compatible with the app. Once you do, you’re ready to follow these steps to start streaming:

1. Open TikTok LIVE Studio or the third-party software you’ll use for your stream.
2. Log into your Tiktok account (you may be able to do this directly from the third-party app).
3. If you’re using TikTok LIVE, adjust your settings and click Go LIVE at the bottom of the preview page. If you’re using another tool, skip down to the next step.
4. If you’re using third-party software, click on the Live option. You’ll be asked for your stream key and server URL. Copy and paste this information into the corresponding fields. Never share your stream key or server URL with anyone, as this will enable them to live stream from your account.
5. Click on the software’s Start button and start interacting with your fans.

Before you stream

Before you set your heart on live streaming for your fans, ensure you’re eligible. TikTok has the following simple rules about who can live stream:

• You must be 16 years old or older.
• Your profile must have at least 1,000 followers.

If you don’t meet the follower requirement, stay the course and keep growing your account. One way to quickly get new fans on TikTok is to bring your followers over from other social media platforms. Put a link to your TikTok account in your Instagram and Facebook bios or wherever else you interact with fans on the web. For example, if you want to edit your Instagram bio to include a link to your TikTok profile but you already have a link to your website there, fear not. You can add multiple URLs to your bio using a Linktree, which can branch out to several locations on social media and the web.

Quick tips for creating engaging live streams

You’re charismatic, and your social media followers enjoy your content. This alone is a recipe for live-streaming success. But you can up the production value of your streams with the following TikTok LIVE tips:

• Connect with your audience: Use your TikTok live streams to have a conversation with followers. Deliver a monologue about the divine pizza you ate last night, and then invite your followers to comment. Read the chat and acknowledge your followers’ input.
• Share more about yourself: The world’s biggest influencers all have one thing in common: unique personalities. Show off yours and let your fans in on your life. The whole point of live streaming is to let your followers get a closer peek at your day-to-day existence, so show them what you’re really like. Break down your walls a bit and get real. Share your hobbies, interests, and what makes you tick. Keep your eye on the chat, and make people feel seen when they comment on what you’re sharing.
• Promote your live events beforehand: Use your other social media accounts to promote your live events. Let TikTok users know ahead of time with a post that says when you’ll go live and a little bit about what you’ll talk about (unless you’re planning to improvise). Drop a link so your followers can easily join in on the chat.
• Remember that you’re rolling: When you’re live, anything can happen. Unlike a standard TikTok video, you can’t carefully curate the viewer’s experience. So don’t just tidy up your backdrop. Find good lighting, set the scene ahead of time, and minimize background noise. Avoid distractions and interruptions, and ensure you have a stable internet connection. If things don’t go as planned, just roll with it. Your response to spontaneous events is another opportunity to show off your unique personality.