How to Go Live on TikTok

Going LIVE on TikTok is one of the most authentic ways to connect with your followers, build a genuine community, and grow your brand in real-time. This guide walks you through everything from the basic requirements to step-by-step instructions and pro tips for hosting an engaging and successful live stream that people will actually want to watch.

First Things First: Who Can Go LIVE on TikTok?

Before you get started, it’s good to know if you even have the LIVE feature. TikTok has a few non-negotiable requirements in place, which are designed to keep the platform safe for its users. Here’s what you need:

• Follower Count: You must have at least 1,000 followers. This is the biggest hurdle for new creators. The platform wants to see that you've already built a small community before handing you the keys to live broadcasting.
• Age Requirements: You need to be at least 16 years old to host your own LIVE.
• For Gifts & Monetization: If you want to send or receive virtual Gifts (a way for viewers to support creators), you must be 18 years or older.

If you meet these criteria, the LIVE feature should automatically appear in your creator tools. If you don't see it, double-check that your app is updated to the latest version. Trying to find a workaround for the follower count isn't recommended, as it can be against TikTok's terms of service.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Going LIVE

Once you’ve confirmed you have access, starting a live stream is pretty straightforward. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be broadcasting to your audience in minutes.

Step 1: Open the Create Screen

Tap the plus (+) button at the bottom center of your screen, just like you would to create a regular TikTok video.

Step 2: Swipe to the LIVE Option

At the bottom of the camera screen, you’ll see several options like “Camera,” “Story,” and “Templates.” Swipe right until you see the LIVE option. This is your main control panel for setting up the stream.

Step 3: Add a Title and a Cover Photo

Before you hit go, you need to tell people what your stream is about. Add a short, punchy title that grabs attention and clearly explains what viewers can expect. Is it a Q&A? A product unboxing? A casual chat? Let them know.

Example Titles:

• "Finishing this painting &, answering your Qs!"
• "BTS of my Small Business Packaging"
• "Gaming Session: Can we beat this level?"

You can also add a cover photo to make your stream stand out in the feed. This can be your profile picture or a custom image you upload.

Step 4: Customize Your LIVE Settings

Tap on the Settings icon (usually a small gear) to adjust who can interact with your stream and how. This is an important step for maintaining a positive and safe environment.

• Moderators: This is huge. You can assign trusted followers as moderators before or during your stream. They can help you by muting or blocking disruptive viewers, leaving you free to focus on your content.
• Comment Filtering: You can automatically filter out spammy or offensive comments by turning on the “Filter Comments” toggle and adding keywords you want to block.
• Gifts: If you're 18 or older, you can choose whether or not to allow viewers to send virtual Gifts, which you can later convert into real money (called Diamonds).

Step 5: Pre-Frame Your Shot

Use this time to get your camera just right. You can switch between your front-facing and back-facing camera using the “Flip” icon. Now is also the time to add any effects or filters from the Enhance tab. Good lighting and a clean background go a long way.

Step 6: Hit "Go LIVE"

Once you’re happy with your title, settings, and camera setup, take a deep breath and tap the big red "Go LIVE" button. A 3-2-1 countdown will appear, and then you’ll be broadcasting live to your followers!

Secrets to a Killer LIVE: What to Do Before You Hit the Button

Just showing up and hitting "Go LIVE" is an option, but a little prep work can make the difference between a stream that gets a handful of viewers and one that fosters a truly engaged community.

1. Have a Plan (Even a Loose One)

You don't need a formal script, but you should have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish. Having a purpose keeps the stream focused and gives viewers a reason to stick around. Some popular formats include:

• AMA / Q&,A: Let your followers ask you anything about a specific topic or about yourself.
• Tutorial or How-To: Teach your audience a skill, whether it’s a makeup look, a recipe, or a business tip.
• Behind-the-Scenes: Show people what goes on in your workspace, your creative process, or a day in your life.
• Product Demos: A perfect format for businesses to show off a new product, explain its features, and answer customer questions in real-time.
• Just Chatting: Sometimes, the goal is just to hang out with your community. This works particularly well once you have an established audience.

2. Promote, Promote, Promote

Don't expect your followers to magically know you're going live. Tell them ahead of time! Build anticipation by promoting your upcoming stream across your channels:

• Post a TikTok video: Announce the date, time, and topic of your upcoming LIVE in a short video a day or two before.
• Use the LIVE Event feature: This lets you schedule your LIVE in advance. Followers can register to receive a notification when you're about to start.
• Tell other channels: Let your Instagram followers or email subscribers know you’ll be live on TikTok.

3. Dial-In Your Tech Setup

A poor connection or bad audio can ruin a stream. Do a quick tech check before you go live:

• Connection: A stable Wi-Fi connection is always better than cellular data for streaming.
• Audio: Test your microphone. For clearer audio, consider using headphones with a built-in mic or a small external microphone.
• Lighting: Face a window for natural light, or use a ring light. Good lighting makes you look more professional and keeps viewers engaged.
• Positioning: Mount your phone on a tripod or prop it up so it’s stable and you can be hands-free. Remember, TikTok is a vertical platform, so keep your phone upright.

You're LIVE! How to Keep People Watching

The first few minutes of your LIVE are the most important for hooking viewers. Here’s how to create an interactive experience that makes people want to stay.

Welcome Newcomers by Name

As people join your stream, their usernames will pop up. A simple, "Hey [Username], thanks for joining!" makes people feel seen and welcomed. It immediately turns a passive viewing experience into a two-way conversation.

Read and Respond to Comments

The comment feed is your direct line to your audience. Acknowledge what people are saying, answer their questions, and let their feedback guide the conversation. If a great question comes up, you can pin it to the top so everyone knows what topic you’re addressing.

Give Your Audience Something to Do

Direct engagement prompts are a great way to boost interaction. Ask viewers to:

• "Tap the screen if you agree!"
• "Let me know in the comments where you're watching from."
• "What topic should we cover next?"

Use Moderators Effectively

If you assigned moderators, trust them to handle any trolls or spam. This lets you stay focused on creating great content without getting bogged down by distractions in the comment section.

Host a Multi-Guest LIVE

Feeling adventurous? You can invite another creator to join your live stream using the Multi-Guest feature. This is a fantastic way to cross-promote your accounts, introduce your audience to someone new, and have a more dynamic, interview-style conversation.

The Stream Is Over - Now What?

Your work isn't done when you hit the "End LIVE" button. Leveraging your broadcast afterward is a smart move for long-term growth.

Check Your LIVE Analytics

After your stream ends, TikTok gives you a summary with useful data, including total unique viewers, new followers gained during the LIVE, and the total number of Diamonds (from Gifts) you received. Pay attention to these numbers to see what resonated with your audience and what you can improve for next time.

Save and Repurpose Your Content

This is one of the most underrated strategies. Your live stream can be a goldmine of content. TikTok live streams are saved in the LIVE Replay center for 90 days. You can download your stream and edit it into several smaller pieces of content. For example, clip a great 30-second answer you gave to a viewer's question and post it as a standalone TikTok video or YouTube Short the next day. This maximizes your effort and exposes your best moments to a wider audience.

Final Thoughts

Going LIVE on TikTok is more than just a feature, it's a powerful tool for community building. By preparing ahead of time, engaging directly with your audience during the broadcast, and repurposing your content afterward, you can turn simple live streams into a cornerstone of your social media strategy.

Promoting your upcoming streams with scheduled posts and visual reminders is a massive part of getting people to actually show up. We built Postbase specifically for modern, video-first content creators who need to plan their entire strategy in one place. Using our visual calendar, you can map out and schedule all your promotional content for TikToks, Reels, and Stories in advance, so you can focus on creating an amazing LIVE experience instead of scrambling to get the word out at the last minute.