Live streaming on TikTok is a popular trend, with some creators continuing their streams for 24 hours straight. You might guess or hope such streams offer some exquisite content, like people filming their trips or engaging in other extraordinary activities.
Yet, many creators simply sit in front of the camera, talking or showing the details of their mundane lives. Regardless, viewers tune in, drop gifts, and continue supporting the person on their screen. But how do TikTok influencers make money by dedicating such long periods to filming themselves?
Introducing TikTok Live
Regardless of people’s opinions on TikTok or its content, it’s a tremendous platform with diverse people and opinions. And TikTok Live has become a feature that viewers feel intrigued to join. For one, it enables the creator to build a stronger bond with their audience.
Viewers likely rarely suspect live streams to be highly curated and generally believe them to be more genuine content. Hence, they feel a stronger connection and, in turn, are motivated to support such creators.
This is the moment when the other TikTok Live features come into play.
Ways creators make money during live streams
Of course, if you need money now and wish to make money online through things like TikTok gifts, check whether your account is eligible to receive them. Additionally, you need at least 1,000 followers to start a live stream.
Gifts during live streams
One of the most obvious ways a creator generates money is by receiving gifts during their live streams. Of course, these gifts are virtual, and viewers only need to tap their screen to show appreciation, such as a teddy bear or a rose.
Before sending them, viewers need to purchase TikTok Coins to have the funds to buy the gifts. Each gift has a different value; the higher the price, the more the creator receives. Of course, TikTok does take a fee, meaning the creator does not receive the total cost of the gift.
Of course, the gifts creators receive take time to turn into cash. Instead, TikTok turns them into Diamonds, which is another TikTok currency. When the creator wishes to cash out, they can exchange the Diamonds for real money.
Battles with other streamers
Content creators can allow other people to join their lives. One clever way to motivate your audience to give gifts is through the Battles option. Two creators compete against each other, which gets more engagement from viewers, including likes, gifts, and comments. Furthermore, the battle has a real-time scoreboard, giving people a thrill when supporting their favorite streamer.
Partnerships with companies
Another way to generate money online is to use TikTok live streams to promote products or services. For instance, you might partner with a brand to give users a tour of a particular facility, inviting others to book their stay. Additionally, it could relate to more mundane objects, like makeup, mops, or kitchen gadgets.
Direct selling
In some countries, creators can sell products during their live streams. This is thanks to the live shopping feature TikTok introduced. How could that work realistically? Well, a content streamer promotes or reviews a product during their performance.
Thanks to the e-commerce integration, the viewer can add the product to the cart and pay without leaving TikTok. The creator receives a commission based on the number of products sold during the live.
Special shoutouts during lives
Content creators can use their live streams to promote other ways of supporting them. For example, they could have a Patreon or another similar account. During live streams, they might give shoutouts to their subscribers, making donors feel appreciated for their efforts.
Less noticeable way to earn money
Besides gifts or discussing products during live streams, creators can be more secretive about their earning strategies. For instance, they might partner with different brands or companies, including their products in their lives. A book or a drink could be placed in the background of the video. How do creators make money this way? The brand or company pays them to use or include their products during live streams.
Conclusion
TikTok’s live streaming feature can be lucrative for content creators to generate more income. Besides the financial perks, it lets you build a closer bond with your audience and explore content somewhat different from your usual posts.
