written by If you’re a creator or influencer on TikTok, you know that the goal is to log as many views as possible. Doing so will earn you some cold, hard cash ($0.02 to $0.04 per 1,000 views to be exact). That number may not seem significant, but if you go viral, the funds will flow into your bank account easily over time.
You don’t have to rely on pay-per-view through the TikTok Creator Rewards Program to solely earn money, though. You can actually utilize monetization by participating in live videos, which also positively boosts engagement amongst other things.
At this point in the introduction, you’re probably wondering how? Luckily, we’re here to explain it to you, step-by-step. Throughout the remainder of this article, you’ll come face-to-face with strategies that actually work. Once you implement them, your $$$ success will rise. If you need help along the way, you can reach out to our TikTok organic growth service for further assistance. Our representatives will guide you through the process with zero confusion. Ready to chase that dollar bill?
How to Monetize Your Live Streams on TikTok
As many of you may already know, the TikTok Creator Fund ended in December 2023. In its place came the Rewards Program that creators and influencers use to monetize their content. The process looks like this:
Users upload videos → Followers scroll → Views get logged → Money comes in
Instead of always preparing topics, recording yourself, editing footage, and posting regularly, there is another route you can take: TikTok live streams. This feature requires you to sit in front of the camera in real-time, interacting on a more personal level with your TikTok audience.
During these minutes or hours on camera, users can ask you questions, give you compliments, or request changes. It’s up to you whether you answer, accept praise, and implement modifications.
If you authentically participate in the live streams wholeheartedly, you’ll almost automatically get TikTok users to send virtual gifts to your account so that you can earn money on the social media app. But just in case followers don’t instinctively contribute, here are some appropriate ways to inspire these live gifts submissions.
TikTok Gifts
Followers can give virtual gifts to their favorite TikTok influencers via standard videos, but they can also show appreciation for your hard work on a live stream. This type of monetary contribution can synonymilly be considered a way to collect tips for your creative efforts.
The next question you should be asking is how can you receive Live gifts? The process works like this:
- Viewers first have to buy TikTok coins with real money; use of a credit or debit card is accepted on TikTok.
- Once bought, coins can be exchanged for “gifts.”
- If “gifts” are given to you, a conversion from coins to TikTok diamonds will occur.
- Then, diamonds can be redeemed for cash that’s directly deposited into your Paypal account.
If you’re curious about the price breakdown, look at these facts:
- $1 grants viewers 100 coins;
- 2 coins is equal to 1 diamond;
- 200 diamonds converts back to $1 in redeemable cash.
You’ll need $100 USD in your account before you’re able to make a withdrawal to your Paypal account. And of that hundred bucks, TikTok will take a 50% cut.
To participate in gifts, you need to have at least 1000 followers and operate an account in good standing that’s at least 30 days old.
You can encourage people to make direct donations to your business or specific cause through diamonds; just be blatantly honest with your reason for asking. For example, you could say that you’re expanding your company line. Or you need to raise awareness on a specific issue through external marketing efforts that cost additional money.
Brand Sponsorships
Brand deals and partnerships are great for monetary value growth. Why? Because if you sign a contract with a trusted influencer, they’ll pay you to host TikTok lives and publish sponsored posts. All you have to do is mention their brand in whatever way applicable. Some examples include:
- Tutorials → If you show your viewers how to use a product from your sponsor, they’ll look to you as a reputable source for trusted information. Not only will they rely on you credibly, but they’ll also look at the other videos you post. If done properly, you can earn money from the sponsorship AND the brand’s clientele.
- Shopping → Take it one step further and sign a deal with your sponsor where you can provide exclusive content and sell unique items that can only be found on TikTok live streams. Before exiting the video, urge followers to shop standard products through your affiliate link which can be found directly under your profile image on your account.
- Q&A’s → To feel more authentic, request that a member from the brand’s team accompany you on a live stream. You’ll likely get more viewers, and the opportunity to talk about topics that the audience is curious about.
If you don’t have any current contracts, here’s how you reach out to start a partnership:
- Create a list of brands that you’d want to work with. Their goals should align with your profile.
- Check the brand’s existing influencer marketing campaigns. Ask yourself how many TikTok followers they have and if the team up is worth the research and dedication.
- If all answers point to positivity, prepare a media kit highlighting your account. Include professional statistics showcasing your performance, the amount of followers you currently have, the average amount of live viewers you get, and what your engagement rate typically is.
Merchandise Sales & Affiliate Products
What better way is there to increase revenue than to sell your own merch? None we can think of.
Luckily, live videos give you the opportunity to show off exclusive clothing with a company logo or original catchphrase (that only live stream viewers get access to!). All you have to do is sit there and wear the shirt or hat you’re trying to sell! And, while talking directly to the audience in one-on-one fashion, you can also encourage them to wander over to your TikTok shop to check out additional offerings.
Designing and selling your own merchandise sounds like fun, we’re sure. But it can also be a lot of work. Don’t worry, there’s a way around that.
If you don’t want to sell personal creations, you can sell TikTok accounts affiliate products instead. All you have to do is sign up with an affiliate marketing program that best suits your needs, and you’ll earn a commission everytime someone uses your affiliate link. Some percentage points are set in stone, others can be negotiated. Either way, give it some time and you’ll see the cash add up quickly.
To start finding affiliate products, follow these instructions:
- Do a quick Google search of the best affiliate marketing programs in your industry.
- Sign up for the program – you’ll need some personal information and social media handles ready for the paperwork.
- Wait for approval.
Subscriptions
A new feature that TikTok offers is curated subscriptions. While you’re live, you can easily monetize your offerings by telling followers about your subscribe feature. Now, this monthly cost can range anywhere from $2.99 to $99.99. Just make sure that you offer exclusivity and insider perks that are worthy of the cost you’re charging.
Good examples of offerings can include badges, stickers, private videos, and subscriber-only lives.
Engagement & Community Building
Genuine engagement is what the people want. You’re not just in this to earn money (though that is a bonus you’ll achieve in due time). Your goals far exceed that statement! But how do you show your target audience that?
By building a loyal community. Effort and attention will get customers to flock to you and to stay by your side. The best way to show people that they can trust you is to show personable skills.
Host a live Q&A session so that followers can inquire and know they’ll hear an answer back. Show a tutorial in your niche that will prove you’re credible, like a cooking class to showcase a new recipe. Or an at-home gym workout with dumbbells to demonstrate the movements and range of motion necessary to build muscle. Either of these suggestions can be considered community building, and viewers will want to come back for more if they see you personally contributing to their growth in real-time.
Cross-Promotion
Expanding outside of TikTok doesn’t ensure that you’ll earn more money; but what it does do is earn you more prospective followers.
Let’s take a quick look: If you edit a video and draw out of it a 5-10 second snippet of a previous TikTok post, you can use it as a teaser on other social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X. Make it intriguing enough and crowds will want to finish watching the recording on your TikTok profile. So, they’ll reroute their phones or computers using the link provided by you, and they’ll finish the video to the end.
You can also promote a commercial advertising a future live stream that you’ll have. With a call to action mentioning the date and time you’re going live, people may want to arrange their schedules so that they can see what you’re all about!
With luck, you’ll earn new followers by this free cross-promotion tactic. Once you establish rapport, then you’ll likely start earning gifts to turn them into diamonds and convert them into cash.
Tips for Succeeding as a Live Streamer
One thing we want to advise against: Do not set the webcam up to go live and completely go blank. You have to be prepared ahead of time. The best way to do that is to follow these three easy suggestions.
Engage with Your Audience
The process may look like a one-way street because you’re talking to the camera and no one is responding out loud, but we assure you, it’s not. Those comments that are coming up on your screen are the audience members’ way of saying something back. But the only way to get sentences and comments out of them is if you have a conversation. So be engaging.
If you have trouble the first time, jot some notes down. Prepare topics in advance so the live stream isn’t silent.
Produce Quality Content
When you’re on live, you want to give followers a reason to stick around. If they’re scrolling through and come across your live video, or if they’ve set aside time to watch you in their schedule, you want to make sure the information you’re providing is of high quality.
So just like our previous suggestion, make sure you devise a strategic and structured plan to execute as soon as the video hits users’ screens. Our suggestion? Follow an outline for your first few tries and leave room for inquiries throughout.
Maintain Consistency
There’s nothing a loyal following loves more than consistency. That’s why we recommend sticking to a schedule for your live streams.
If you start on a Sunday, try to maintain that pattern and personally interact with your audience every Sunday. It’s easier for people to get used to – and making yourself follow a routine is all around beneficial.
FAQ
How Do You Get Paid on TikTok Live?
Please revisit our “TikTok Gifts” section above for more information.
Viewers start by buying coins on the app with real money to exchange for “gifts” on the app. If they appreciate the information, comedic relief, or entertainment you provide, they can give you these “gifts.” Once in your account, you can convert coins to diamonds, which can then be redeemed as cash in your PayPal account.
How Many Views Do You Need on TikTok Live to Get Paid?
Views are only applicable to posted videos; if you’re on Live, you can receive virtual gifts from viewers in small or large amounts. Which means even with a small audience, you can still make a hefty buck.
How Much Money Do You Get From TikTok Live Gifts?
As previously stated in the “TT Gifts” section, every two coins equals one diamond. Two hundred diamonds converts back to $1 in redeemable cash. Different gift options will carry different coin values.
Is Going Live on TikTok Worth It?
Yes, absolutely. Having a personal conversation with your audience can make them feel special, heard, and valued. Live streams are much more intimate when compared to regular videos. Why? Because through the webcam, you can answer questions in real-time; a video is only pre-recorded with no possible way to interact with followers in the moment.
Conclusion
That’s a wrap! Today, you read and learnt about TikTok live monetization. Through avenues like gifts, sponsorships, subscriptions, engagement, and cross-promotion that you can utilize on live, you’re able to earn money and increase overall brand revenue. You don’t have to solely lean into features like pay-per-view and TikTok shop. Isn’t that neat?
Just make sure you speak to your audience, produce good content on webcam, and maintain a consistent schedule. If you have any questions or thoughts that jump out at you, please reach out to us and we’ll help assist in the best way we can. Per usual, we’ll see you next time! Good luck on your endeavors.
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