Tips for Going LIVE on TikTok: Get Maximum Exposure

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Carolyn Howell

Last Updated: Nov 21, 2024

TikTok Tips
Want More Real TikTok Followers?

Are you ready to host your first livestream on TikTok? Or do you need help increasing your LIVE viewership and engagement? Keep reading to learn tips for going LIVE on TikTok and reach your desired target audience! 

A man controls a DSLR camera to capture the livestream of two content creators.

How To Get More Viewers on TikTok LIVE: 5 Tips To Grow Your Audience 

Once you reach 1,000 followers, you can go LIVE and engage with your fans in real time! Hosting a livestream can help you boost your visibility and relevance in your community and gain more followers. You can monetize your content by earning Diamonds from LIVE Gifts! Once you’ve mastered the art of going LIVE for your audience, you can start offering LIVE Subscriptions

Here are five tips for TikTok LIVE to help you grow your audience and engagement. 

1. Explore Relevant TikTok LIVE Ideas 

If you want people to tune into your TikTok LIVE session, give them something interesting to watch! There are several ways to identify topics that are currently capturing the interests of your target audience on TikTok, such as:

  • Use the Creator Search Insights. This tool allows you to identify popular searches in any category or industry. You can build your LIVE content around trending search topics with tons of results. Or pick a popular search topic that’s not yet delivering adequate, relevant content. Filling a content gap will help boost your LIVE’s visibility among interested audiences. 
  • Explore the TikTok Creative Center. This is your one-stop shop for creative insights and tools. You can find trending hashtags, videos, songs, and creators for any industry to inspire your content creation process. If you’re looking for trending topics for your livestream, explore the Trends tab in Creative Center.  
  • Ask your audience. Go straight to the source! Ask your community what they’d want to learn more about from you. This will also help ensure their viewership when you go LIVE. 

A person in the audience uses their phone to livestream a concert.

2. Pick a Date and Time for Your Livestream

If you want to reach as many of your target viewers as possible, pick a date and time when they’re active on the platform. Schedule your LIVE to coincide with your fans’ TikTok browsing habits. 

Check your Analytics to identify the best times to schedule your broadcast. Go to your Profile>Menu>Settings and Privacy>Analytics. Then, navigate to the Followers tab and scroll down to view Most active times

You should also check out upcoming LIVES from other creators or brands in your industry. Find out when they’re scheduling their broadcasts. Or, again, ask your followers what schedule they would prefer. 

It’s just as important to determine how long your stream should go. TikTok LIVEs can be as long as 60 minutes. But most experts recommend keeping the length of a livestream to 30 minutes. This should be long enough to deliver value and short enough to keep your viewers engaged throughout. 

3. Plan Your LIVE if It’s the First Time Going LIVE on TikTok

Once you pick a topic and schedule for your broadcast, you can start getting ready for your session in advance! 

First things first, prepare a script or outline. This will help you keep the flow of your LIVE smooth and on schedule. You’ll minimize or completely avoid dead air and disorganized speech. Write down your main talking points; you can even include estimated timestamps or a time limit for each point. 

Next, figure out your LIVE setup. Do you need a backdrop? Do you have good natural light, or do you need to use some basic lighting equipment. Do you have a room with minimal background noise and good acoustics? Consider using a microphone to improve the quality of your LIVE’s audio. You may also need a tripod to keep your camera steady. 

4. Promote Your TikTok LIVE

Create teaser videos to let everyone know about your upcoming broadcast on TikTok. Ask a tantalizing “What if” or “Do you want to know…” question. Or do a hard-sell type of promotion, such as “Get rid of toxicity in your life! Tune in to my TikTok LIVE to find out how!” 

Get as creative as possible to make people want to watch your stream. But it’s important that you avoid misleading or click-bait type teasers. Your promotion must genuinely represent what your LIVE will be about. And don’t forget to ask everyone to go to your profile and hit your notification bell so they won’t miss your livestream. 

Share your teaser videos in your TikTok Stories every day. Do this a week or so before your scheduled LIVE. You should also post and pin your teaser content on your feed; repost it or share a new one once a day to sustain people’s interest. 

Promote your upcoming LIVE on other platforms to reach as many viewers as possible. Don’t be shy and ask your friends and followers to tell everyone about your LIVE. 

An empty chair sits in front of a gray backdrop, a microphone, and some lighting equipment.

5. Practice, Practice, Practice

Do a few dry runs to test your camera and other equipment, script, the flow of your content, and your LIVE setup. If your stream’s schedule is 4 p.m., do your test runs at 4 p.m., as well. This will allow you to create the same conditions you can expect on your actual LIVE. 

For example, you can check if the late afternoon light in your room where you’ll host your LIVE is good enough. Test different angles for your camera. Record yourself using your lighting equipment and microphone, and then watch it to check if everything looks and sounds good. Make sure you have a stable internet connection. 

Do at least one complete and uninterrupted test run of your LIVE content with everything you need in place. Practice using your script to make sure you can cover everything within the time you allotted for your broadcast. Don’t forget to also allot time for your viewers to ask questions and for you to answer them. 

A man carries a DSLR camera and records scenes at a park.

Does Going LIVE on TikTok Help Gain Followers? Let High Social Help, Too

Preparation is key if it’s your first time to go LIVE. Practicing your LIVE content will help you feel confident and ensure that everything runs smoothly. Watch streams similar to yours and take notes. There’s no such thing as being too prepared! 

If you don’t get enough viewers, receive lots of virtual gifts, or people don’t stay for the entirety of your stream, that’s okay. Identify areas where you can improve to get bigger and sustained viewership next time. You may need to experiment with different optimization and content strategies to reach genuinely interested viewers. Follow our tips for going LIVE on TikTok to maximize your first livestream’s chances of success.

You can also sign up for a High Social plan to connect with the right audience for your LIVE and feed posts! Take advantage of more precise targeting capabilities with High Social’s advanced, proprietary AI targeting technology. Reach users who are most likely to hit your follow button and notification bell and engage with your content. 

Start growing your TikTok with High Social today!

A musician sits in front of a microphone and camera and plays a ukulele for her live audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you grow your following by going LIVE? Here are a few more FAQs to sum up our TikTok LIVE tips and help you host a successful broadcast. 

What are the best things to do on TikTok LIVE?

Tutorials are among the most popular types of live content. A tutorial featuring a product, cooking how-tos, and DIYs are good examples. 

If you’re a brand, going LIVE for your product launches is an effective marketing strategy. You can also collaborate with content creators and influencers to help promote your new product via their own streams. If you’re a creator with a decent following, you can create a behind-the-scenes or day-in-the-life livestream. 

What are TikTok’s requirements for accessing the LIVE feature?

You must meet the following requirements to access TikTok’s LIVE streaming feature:

– You must be at least 18 years old or 19 if you’re in South Korea.
– You need at least 1,000 followers. 
– Your account must be in good standing; it must not have any active Community Guidelines violations

Can I go LIVE on TikTok without 1,000 followers? 

You can go around the 1K-follower requirement by doing a LIVE collaboration with a creator/brand that meets the follower requirement. You can join their LIVE as a guest or appear as a co-host. 

TikTok Tips