Are you a TikTok creator eager to learn how to go live and earn money from your content? You’re in the right place. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the steps to start live streaming on TikTok and share practical tips for monetizing your broadcasts. Whether you’re a seasoned TikTok user or just getting started, this guide will provide you with actionable insights to help you leverage the power of live streaming for financial gain. Let’s get started!
Table of contents:
What is a TikTok Live Stream?
TikTok Live is a feature that enables creators to stream live video content to their followers in real-time. It serves as an interactive platform for creators to engage with their audience directly. Unlike pre-recorded videos, TikTok Live facilitates immediate communication between the creator and their viewers through live chat and virtual gifts.
When a creator initiates a live stream on TikTok, their followers receive notifications, inviting them to join the broadcast and participate in the conversation. Throughout the live session, viewers can interact by leaving comments, asking questions, and sending virtual gifts to express their support. This active feedback loop fosters a sense of community and connection between creators and their audience members.
TikTok Live sessions encompass a wide range of content, including casual hangouts, Q&A sessions, special events, and performances. Whether showcasing talent, providing behind-the-scenes insights, or simply engaging in conversation, TikTok Live offers diverse opportunities for creators to connect with their audience in real-time.
Who’s Eligible to Go Live on TikTok?
To go live on TikTok and engage with your audience in real-time, you need to meet certain eligibility criteria. Here’s what you need to know:
- Minimum Followers Requirement: You must have at least 1,000 followers on TikTok to be eligible to start your own live video stream. This requirement ensures that you have an established audience interested in your content.
- Age Requirement: You need to be at least 16 years old to go live on TikTok. This age restriction aligns with TikTok’s policies to ensure a safe and appropriate environment for users.
- Receiving Gifts: If you wish to receive virtual gifts from your viewers during your live streams, you must be at least 18 years old. This age requirement is in place to comply with legal regulations regarding online transactions.
What If I Don’t Have 1,000 Followers?
If you haven’t reached the minimum follower threshold of 1,000, you won’t be able to initiate your own live video streams on TikTok. However, there’s still an opportunity to participate in live content as a guest.
Joining Live Streams as a Guest:
Eligible TikTok users who meet the follower requirement can invite a limited number of guests to join their live streams. Here’s how you can participate:
- Request to Join: During a live video stream hosted by another creator, you can tap the Multi-guest button and then select “Apply” to request to join the live stream as a guest.
- Creator Approval: The creator hosting the live stream will receive your request and can choose to invite you to join the stream as a guest. This feature enables collaboration and interaction between creators and their audiences.
Steps to Go Live on TikTok:
Going live on TikTok allows you to connect with your audience in real-time, engage with viewers, and showcase your creativity. Here’s a simple guide to help you get started:
- Open the TikTok App: Launch the TikTok app on your mobile device and log in to your account.
- Access the Camera Screen: Tap on the “+” icon located at the bottom center of the screen to access the camera screen for creating new content.
- Select “Live” Option: Swipe left on the camera screen until you see the “Live” option. Tap on it to begin setting up your live stream.
- Add a Title: Before going live, add an engaging title to your live stream to capture the attention of potential viewers. Your title should be descriptive and compelling.
- Adjust Privacy Settings: Choose your privacy settings based on your preferences. You can opt to make your live stream visible to everyone, your followers only, or specific friends.
- Set Up Filters and Effects: Customize your live stream by applying filters, effects, and other enhancements to make your content more visually appealing.
- Prepare Your Content: Plan ahead and prepare any content or topics you want to cover during your live stream. This can include Q&A sessions, tutorials, behind-the-scenes glimpses, or just casual conversations with your audience.
- Go Live: Once you’re ready, tap the “Go Live” button to start broadcasting. TikTok will initiate a countdown, giving you a few seconds to prepare before your live stream begins.
Earning Potential on TikTok LIVE
Your potential earnings from TikTok LIVE streams can vary based on factors such as audience size, content type, and engagement levels. Let’s explore some examples of TikTok creators and their earnings to give you an idea of the revenue you can generate from live streaming on TikTok:
1. Pinkydoll’s NPC Live Streams:
- Earnings: Pinkydoll, known for her viral “NPC live streams,” reportedly earns up to $3,000 per TikTok LIVE session, as reported by the New York Times.
- Example: Another creator, Kai Cenat, who joined the trend, made over $6,000 from a single live broadcast, demonstrating the revenue potential of engaging content.
2. Lucy Davis’s ASMR Content:
- Earnings: Lucy Davis, a full-time ASMR creator, earns between $20 and $300 per TikTok LIVE session.
- Example: While individual earnings may vary, consistent streaming and engagement with viewers contribute to a steady income stream for ASMR creators like Lucy Davis.
3. Jakey Boehm’s Interactive “Sleep Streams”:
- Earnings: Jakey Boehm made an impressive $34,000 in his first month of hosting interactive “sleep streams,” where viewers have the power to disrupt his sleep with loud music and neon lights.
- Example: While extreme, Jakey’s success highlights the potential for innovative and interactive content to capture viewers’ attention and drive significant earnings on TikTok LIVE.
How to Make Money on TikTok LIVE?
Now that you’ve mastered the art of going live on TikTok, let’s explore how you can turn your live streams into a source of income. Here’s a guide to monetizing your TikTok LIVE sessions:
1. LIVE Gifts:
- What it is: One of the most popular ways to earn money from TikTok LIVE is through virtual gifts. When you’re live, your audience can purchase Diamonds, TikTok’s digital currency, to send you virtual gifts as a way of showing appreciation for your content.
- How it works: As viewers send you gifts during your live stream, you accumulate Diamonds, which can be converted into real money. It’s important to note that TikTok shares 50% of the net revenue from gifts with creators, making it a lucrative opportunity to earn income directly from your audience’s support.
2. LIVE Subscriptions:
- What it is: Another avenue for monetization on TikTok LIVE is through subscriptions. Your most dedicated followers have the option to subscribe to your live streams by purchasing a paid subscription, granting them access to exclusive perks and content.
- Subscriber Benefits: Subscribers enjoy benefits such as badges, custom emotes, and access to subscriber-only TikTok LIVE sessions. This creates a sense of exclusivity and fosters a deeper connection between you and your most loyal fans.
3. Receiving Donations:
- Using Tools like Checkya: To receive donations from your audience during live streams, you can utilize external tools like Checkya. Checkya allows you to share a donation link during your live stream and in your TikTok bio, enabling your audience to support you financially.
- Customizable Donation Button: With Checkya, you can customize the donation button text, such as “Buy Me a Protein Bar,” as a fun way to solicit your audience for donations..
- Selling Digital Downloads: Additionally, Checkya provides a platform for selling digital downloads. You can route your live video audience to purchase your digital products, such as e-books, courses, or exclusive content, directly from your bio link.
Conclusion:
By following the steps outlined in this blog, you can easily start live streaming on TikTok and begin earning money. From setting up your live sessions to exploring different ways to make money like receiving donations and offering subscriptions, TikTok offers various opportunities for income generation.
