How to Get Live Rewards on TikTok

Earning real rewards directly from your audience during a TikTok LIVE is one of the most powerful ways to monetize your content on the platform. This guide breaks down exactly how to get started, from meeting the eligibility requirements to implementing strategies that encourage your viewers to send Gifts. We'll cover everything you need to know to turn your LIVE streams into a genuine source of income.

What Are TikTok LIVE Rewards? The Basics Explained

Before diving into the "how," let's quickly clarify what we mean by "rewards." The entire system is built on a simple, three-part virtual economy: Coins, Gifts, and Diamonds.

• Coins: This is the virtual currency that your viewers purchase with real money through the TikTok app. They use these Coins to buy Gifts to send you during your LIVE stream.
• Gifts: These are the animated icons that pop up on the screen when a viewer sends one to you - think of everything from a simple Rose to a flashy TikTok Universe. Each Gift costs a different amount of Coins. For you, the creator, these Gifts are more than just animated praise, they are your path to earning.
• Diamonds: When a viewer sends you a Gift, TikTok converts it into Diamonds on your end. Diamonds are virtual credits that accumulate in your account. Once you have enough, you can convert these Diamonds into actual money and withdraw them.

So, the path to payment looks like this: Viewers buy Coins ➔ They use Coins to send you Gifts ➔ You receive Gifts, which are converted into Diamonds ➔ You cash out your Diamonds for real money.

It’s important to know that TikTok takes a commission on these earnings. While the exact percentage can vary, creators typically receive about 50% of the value of the Gifts sent to them. The Diamonds have a specific monetary value, so you’ll see the cash equivalent in your dashboard before you withdraw.

First Things First: Are You Eligible for LIVE Gifting?

Not everyone can receive Gifts on their LIVE streams right away. TikTok has a set of requirements you must meet to unlock this feature. It's their way of making sure the monetization tools are available to established and responsible creators.

Here are the official criteria you need to meet:

• You Must Be 18 Years or Older: This is a strict, non-negotiable rule. You may be asked to verify your age to enable monetization features.
• You Need at Least 1,000 Followers: Gifting is not available for new accounts. Reaching the 1,000-follower milestone is the first major step to unlocking most of TikTok's creator tools, including the ability to go LIVE and receive Gifts.
• You Must Be in a Region Where LIVE Gifting is Available: The feature isn't global yet. It’s available in most major regions like the US, UK, Canada, and much of Europe and Asia, but you should check if it's supported in your specific country.
• Your Account Must Be in Good Standing: This means you have not had any recent or repeated violations of TikTok's Community Guidelines. If your account is flagged, monetization features may be temporarily or permanently disabled.
• You Must Have a Personal Account: Here's a common stumbling block - Business Accounts on TikTok are currently not eligible to receive LIVE Gifts. If your goal is to monetize through Presents, you'll need to switch back to a Personal (or Creator) Account in your settings.

A Step-By-Step Guide to Turning On LIVE Gifts

Once you’ve met the eligibility requirements, turning on the LIVE Gifts feature is straightforward. You can enable it directly from the "Go LIVE" screen.

Follow these simple steps:

1. Open the TikTok app and tap the "+" create button at the bottom of the screen.
2. Swipe to the right on the bottom menu until you find the "LIVE" option.
3. Before you start your broadcast, tap on the "Settings" icon (it usually looks like a small gear or three dots).
4. Inside the settings menu, you should see an option labeled "LIVE Gifts" with a toggle switch next to it.
5. Tap the toggle to turn it on. It should turn green or a highlight color to indicate it’s active.
6. If prompted, confirm that you are over 18 years of age.
7. Exit the settings, set up your LIVE title and cover photo, and you're ready to start your stream with Gifts enabled!

You can turn this feature on or off each time you go LIVE, giving you control over when you're open to receiving financial support from your audience.

The Creator's Playbook: Strategies to Encourage Gifts (Without Begging)

Simply turning on the LIVE Gifts feature isn't enough. The most successful creators build a community that wants to support them. Your focus should be on creating an experience so valuable and engaging that sending a Gift becomes a natural way for viewers to show their appreciation. Here are some proven strategies.

Create a Great Viewing Experience

Your production quality matters. You don't need a Hollywood studio, but a few small adjustments can make a huge difference.

• Good Lighting: Face a window for natural light or use an inexpensive ring light. A well-lit face helps people connect with you.
• Clear Audio: Avoid noisy backgrounds. Your phone’s built-in microphone can work well in a quiet room, but a simple external microphone can drastically improve sound quality.
• Stable Connection: A choppy, lagging stream is frustrating to watch. Position yourself close to your Wi-Fi router for the most stable connection.

Engage Directly with Your Audience

A LIVE stream is a two-way conversation, not a broadcast. People stay because they feel seen and heard. Read comments out loud, answer questions, and refer to viewers by their usernames. When someone joins, greet them. This personal touch fosters a sense of community and makes people feel like they're part of something special.

Acknowledge and Celebrate Every Gift

This is the most important rule. When someone sends you a Gift, verbally thank them by their username. "Thank you so much for the Rose, Sarah! I really appreciate your support." Your acknowledgment shows that you see their contribution and you're grateful. Many big streamers develop signature sounds, gestures, or catchphrases to celebrate larger Gifts, turning the moment into a fun experience for the entire stream.

Run Interactive LIVE Streams

Don’t just sit and talk - give people a reason to engage. Interactive streams make viewers active participants rather than passive observers.

• Q&As or AMAs (Ask Me Anything): A classic format that always works. Let your personality shine as you answer questions from the comments.
• Tutorials or Live Demos: Teach your audience something valuable. This could be a makeup tutorial, a recipe, a gaming strategy, or a quick lesson on your area of expertise.
• Themed Streams: Centre your LIVE around a specific topic, like a movie review night, a crafting session, or a discussion about a trending topic in your niche.
• Creative Challenges: Let Gifts influence what you do. For example: "For every 'Ice Cream Cone' Gift, I'll add an ingredient to this mystery smoothie." This gamifies the experience and makes gifting more fun and interactive.

Set and Use LIVE Goals

TikTok has a built-in "Goal" feature that lets you set a target for a specific type of Gift. This is a powerful, non-aggressive way to encourage gifting. Instead of just asking for Gifts, you can set a tangible outcome. A great goal states what the support will help you achieve. For example:

• "Goal: 10 'Concert' Gifts to Fund My Next Music Video!"
• "Goal: Help me get a new ring light!"
• "Goal: Help support our animal shelter fundraiser."

A progress bar appears on the screen, creating a shared objective for the entire community to work towards. It feels collaborative rather than transactional.

Collaborate with Other Creators using LIVE Battles

A LIVE Battle pits you against another creator in a friendly, 5-minute competition to see who can get more Gifts from their respective audiences. The competitive nature of battles drastically increases viewer engagement and gifting. It's a win-win: you both get exposure to each other's audiences and the friendly rivalry often leads to a major boost in Diamonds.

Be Consistent With Your LIVE Schedule

Consistency builds anticipation and establishes a habit. A dedicated weekly time slot (e.g., "Every Tuesday at 8 PM EST") trains your audience to tune in. Announce your schedule in your bio and regularly remind your followers. When you treat your LIVE like a must-see event, your followers will too.

Understanding Your Earnings: Cashing Out Diamonds

Tracking and withdrawing your hard-earned money is a simple process.

Here’s how it works:

1. Check Your Balance: To see how many Diamonds you have, go to your Profile, tap the three lines in the top-right corner to open "Settings and privacy," and select "Balance." Here, you'll see your Coin balance (currency you can spend) and your LIVE Rewards (Diamonds available for withdrawal).
2. Withdraw Your Earnings: From the "Balance" screen, tap on "LIVE Rewards," and you will see the withdraw option. You'll need to link a payment method, such as a verified PayPal account or bank account.
3. Understand the Limits: There are often daily and weekly limits on how much money you can withdraw from your TikTok account. There is also a minimum withdrawal amount (for instance, you may need at least $10 in value to cash out, and this minimum can vary by country). TikTok will show these limits clearly in the withdrawal section.

Once you request a withdrawal, the funds are usually transferred within a few business days, though sometimes it can take a bit longer. Just be patient, and soon enough, your virtual Diamonds will become real cash in your account.

Final Thoughts

Getting live rewards on TikTok goes far beyond just turning a feature on. It starts with meeting the requirements, but true success comes from building a genuine community that is excited to support you because you provide them with valuable, entertaining, and interactive content.

As your presence grows and you start scheduling more consistent LIVE streams, a little bit of planning can make a world of difference. To keep our audience in the loop about when we’re going live, we use Postbase to schedule all of our promotional videos and social posts ahead of time. Being able to visually map out our "going LIVE soon" announcements on a calendar helps us stay organized and ensures we never miss an opportunity to drive traffic to our streams.