TikTok‘s live streaming feature has exploded in popularity, with the number of accounts going live increasing by 155% from 2020 to 2021 alone. On average, TikTok users spend 30 minutes per day watching live content on the app. With 68% of TikTok users viewing live streams regularly, mastering this format is key for creators looking to grow their presence.
One of the most engaging aspects of TikTok live is the ability to invite guests to join your stream or hop on someone else‘s broadcast. Going live together creates a fun, collaborative experience for both creators and viewers. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to join a TikTok live stream as a guest or host a live stream and invite others.
TikTok Live Eligibility Requirements
Before attempting to go live on TikTok, you need to check that your account meets the platform‘s eligibility criteria:
- Minimum age of 16 years old
- At least 1,000 followers
- Account in good standing (no violations of Community Guidelines)
If you don‘t meet the follower requirement yet, focus on posting high-quality content consistently, hopping on trends, and engaging with other users‘ content. On average, TikTok accounts that post 1-2 videos per day gain followers 2x faster than those that post less frequently.
You‘ll also need to enable live streaming permissions in your account settings:
- Go to your TikTok profile and tap the 3-line menu icon
- Tap "Settings and privacy"
- Under "Account", select "Live"
- Toggle on "Allow live streaming"
How to Join Someone‘s TikTok Live Stream as a Guest
Joining another creator‘s live stream is a great way to introduce yourself to their audience, showcase your personality, and potentially gain new followers. Here‘s how to join a live stream on TikTok:
- Open the TikTok app and tap the "Discover" magnifying glass icon
- In the search bar, type in "LIVE" to see a list of currently active live streams
- Tap on the live stream you want to join as a viewer
- Once in the stream, tap the double avatar "Multi-guest" icon
- Tap "Request" to ask the host to invite you as a guest
- If the host accepts, you‘ll see a "Joining" message followed by a split-screen view with you and the host
Keep in mind that the stream host may not see your join request immediately or may decline, so it‘s best to coordinate appearances in advance when possible. 78% of TikTok users say they prefer live streams that bring on relevant guest speakers.
How to Invite Guests to Join Your TikTok Live Stream
As a TikTok live stream host, bringing on guests is an exciting way to keep your viewers engaged, tap into new audiences, and co-create content. To invite someone to join your live:
- While hosting your live stream, tap the double avatar icon labeled "Add Co-host"
- Select "Invite" next to the username of a viewer you want to bring on
- If they accept, the stream will enter split-screen mode with you and the guest
- To remove a guest, tap their username icon and select "Remove Co-host"
You can only invite TikTok users who are currently viewing your live stream. Aim to bring on guests who are relevant to your content and audience for maximum engagement. For example, if you‘re hosting a live makeup tutorial, inviting a well-known beauty influencer would likely drive tune-in.
Rotating between multiple guests throughout your stream is a good way to keep things exciting. On average, TikTok live streams that feature 3+ guests have a 32% higher average view duration than those with a single host.
Expert Tips for Engaging TikTok Live Streams
Going live on TikTok involves more than just the technical steps. Thoughtful planning and engaging hosting will help you attract viewers, drive interaction, and potentially earn money through virtual gifting. Here are some pro tips:
1. Promote your live stream in advance
Let your followers know the date and time you plan to go live and tease what you‘ll be doing in the stream. Post a "See you tonight at 7pm for my live Q&A with special mystery guest!" video. Create an eye-catching thumbnail image. Share the live stream link on your other social media profiles to draw in viewers.
2. Have a plan but embrace spontaneity
While you don‘t need a rigid script, it helps to outline talking points, segments, guest appearances, etc. Let your co-host(s) know the general run of show. That said, be open to spontaneous moments and pay attention to what your viewers are responding to in real-time.
3. Introduce yourself and your guest(s)
Not everyone tuning into your stream may be familiar with you or your featured guests. Kick things off with a brief introduction covering who you are, what you do on TikTok, and why you‘re going live. Have your guests do the same. Make everyone feel welcome!
4. Interact with viewers
Acknowledge viewers by name, respond to their comments and questions, and encourage them to tap the screen and send hearts. The more you engage, the longer they‘ll stick around. Streams with 1,000+ comments have an 85% higher average watch time than those with fewer than 100.
5. Be visually engaging
Use body language, gestures, and facial expressions to communicate energy. Experiment with different camera angles and backgrounds. If you‘re demonstrating something or unboxing a product, make sure your lighting and framing shows clear detail. Poor video quality is the #1 reason viewers drop off live streams.
6. Treat your guests like co-hosts
When you bring someone onto your live stream, make them feel like a valued collaborator, not just a brief cameo. Ask them questions, give them space to share thoughts, and play off their energy. The more at ease they feel, the more entertaining the stream will be.
7. Tease exclusive content
Keep viewers hooked by alluding to exciting things to come if they stick around, like a special guest, giveaway, announcement, tutorial, or Q&A session. Build suspense and reward those who watch the whole stream.
8. Integrate calls to action
Encourage viewers to follow you and your guest(s), check out your other content, visit a link, etc. On average, live streams with 3+ verbal calls to action see a 48% lift in engagement rate. Make these CTAs natural, not forced.
9. Study your stream analytics
After going live, dig into TikTok‘s analytics to evaluate stream performance. Track metrics like total/unique/peak viewers, new followers, average watch time, engagement rate, and lost viewers by segment. See which streams performed best to replicate that success.
Going live on TikTok is a powerful way to build deeper connections with your followers and reach new audiences through guest appearances. Whether you‘re joining someone else‘s stream or hosting your own, focus on providing valuable, entertaining content that educates, inspires, or makes viewers laugh.
By following the steps and tips in this guide, you‘ll be well equipped to create engaging TikTok live streams that drive real results for your brand or business. Happy streaming!
