TikTok Live: Your Business’s Best Marketing Hack of the Year

TikTok is continuing its astronomical growth. And, truthfully, it's easy to understand why. The app is fun, easy to use, and perfect for consuming short videos. This last point is extremely important, given the fact that our attention span has shrunken to a measly 8.25 seconds.

However, short form video is not the only way to be successful on TikTok. You can run TikTok ads, partner with influencers, or tap into one of the lesser know strategies that TikTok tends to favor in the algorithmic pushing of content, the "go live feature". This feature will help you to extend audiences' attention span by engaging them in real time and further embedding your message into their daily lives.

If you have no idea how to go live on TikTok, no worries. We'll cover the ins and outs of the why this feature is beneficial and how to do it.

Why go live on TikTok?

Nothing captures attention more than live streaming. In fact, viewers tend to engage with content 10 to 20 times longer when watching a live stream compared to "on-demand" video.

The ability to engage with your favorite actor, spokesperson, influencer, or brand is almost too much to resist for many would be consumers.

This is the reason that Twitch was acquired by Amazon for $1 Billion in 2014.

This is why both Amazon and Wal-Mart have built their own versions of a live commerce functionality. They're chasing the success of Viya's billions of dollars in livestreaming sales in China.

Who's chasing the $14 Billion+ that QVC does annually in live sales.

But, how does your mother's late night habit of ordering goat milk soap while having a glass of wine have to do with your TikTok?

Attention equals sales.

It's not enough to put dozens, hundreds, or thousands of videos out. Like going live on instagram, TikTok is going to reward you if you keep your audience engaged. And if you actually want to engage your followers in the TikTok app, you need to go live.

What should I do to prepare to go live on TikTok?

If you don't know what TikTok is and how to go live...it's time to get educated! When thinking about how to optimize the live option of TikTok, here are some helpful tips for success:

Plan Out Your Schedule

TikTok promotion and live streams should be treated like a regularly scheduled program. The more consistent you are, the more likely your audience is to keep tuning in. Think about who your audience and what their schedules are like (or even better, look at your analytics to see when they engage) and plan accordingly.

Plan Each Live Session's Duration

Typically, users aim for about 30 minutes. However, make sure that you can keep up with the schedule and expectation of your followers. When in doubt, keep it short.

Invest in Good Lighting

This doesn't need to be anything complex, but you want to ensure that your followers can see what's happening. Proper lighting can be the difference between someone quickly swiping past your content or engaging with what you have to say.

Ensure You Have a Solid Internet Connection

The last thing you want is for the work to be done on planning appropriately and your many followers to start interacting with you, only to find that your internet caused a poor experience.

How do I go live on TikTok?

Going live on TikTok is actually easy. Live is one of the best ways to grow your following on TikTok today. However, there are two criteria that you'll need to meet in order to go live.

The first is that you'll need to have at least 1,000 followers (note: there are lots of claims that there are workarounds for this, but I've not been able to find any that actually work. Just do the leg work and create content that is engaging for your viewers).

The second is that you'll need to be 18 years old. This shouldn't be an issue, as we're using TikTok for our businesses.

If you have 1,000 followers or more and are age 18 or older, then you'll simply want to:

Open the app and on your home screen you'll want to click the center "+" button.

From there, scroll to the right and select "Live". Give your livestream a title (i.e. bored in the office, behind the scenes, a great way to 'X'... make it human).

Your ring light is on. You're in frame on your camera. You're ready to engage your community. Simply tap "Go Live" to start streaming.

I'm live on TikTok, now what???

Live video is the best way to interact with your followers in real time. And TikTok will reward you.

But, what should you do once you go live?

TikTok Lives are the part of social media, that actually make it social media. By going live, you have the opportunity to be social. To actually engage with your audience.

People typically watch video for one of three reasons:

To be educated
To be entertained
To be inspired

Plan your content around this insight.

Do Q&A content on your business, so your followers can join in
Use TikTok's "duet" feature to go live with another user
Collaborate with other businesses or brands in your industry to do a joint live stream
Offer exclusive deals, gifts, or free access to viewers who are watching your live stream
Show what the process looks like behind the scenes
Show how-to content
Give in-depth product reviews
Tell your story and allow the audience to ask questions
Give people a reason to sign upon your email list or to visit your website

The options are endless.

TikTok's go live feature is an underutilized tool that can help you to capture more attention and engagement from your followers. If you're not using it, you're missing out on a major opportunity to connect with your audience in a more personal and authentic way.

In fact, 50% of consumers have bought something after watching a brand live on TikTok. The most important thing is to just get started and try different ways to make money through TikTok.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go live on TikTok without 1000 followers?

es, you need 1000 followers to go live. TikTok only allows users with at least 1000 followers to go live. This is because going live on TikTok is a great way to get more exposure for your account and grow your following. And if you don't have 1000 followers, get working on expanding your social profile!

Do you get paid for TikTok live?

Yes, you can be paid for your live videos on TikTok. You can earn Diamonds by going live and then exchanging them for cash through the app. Fans and followers will send gifts as payment to support their favorite content creators.

How much money do you get from TikTok Live gifts?

You get 5 cents for every diamond that someone sends you as a gift on TikTok Live. Work hard and build your fan & audience base!

Final Thoughts

By now you know that TikTok Live is an innovative and powerful marketing tool that can help businesses of all sizes reach a wider audience and drive more sales. It is worth taking our tips and utilizing TikTok live the right way!

By leveraging the platform's features and best practices, businesses can effectively promote their products and services, build stronger relationships with customers, and ultimately drive more revenue. Whether you're a small startup or a large corporation, TikTok Live should be a key part of your marketing strategy in the year to come.