WHY MUSIC MATTERS FOR TIKTOK 'LIVE'

According to AdSamurai, TikTok Lives are viewed for 70% longer than other edited video formats on the platform.

Brands have also proven that, when combined with TikTok Shop, TikTok Lives have the potential to increase sales by 200% compared to regular ads.

It's a highly lucrative format and audiences that flock there seem to be sticking around. So it's essential to make your TikTok Lives the best they can be. No muffled audio, awkward silences, and meandering themes.

 

What is TikTok Live?

TikTok Live is the platform's live broadcasting function. Like Instagram Live, people use the immediacy and interactivity of it to connect with their audience in a way that feels more personal. You can answer questions your audience poses in real time, and launch, demo and sell products from your broadcast by setting up a TikTok shop.

 

Why is your music choice for TikTok Live so important?

The reasons for going live on TikTok are compelling but before you jump into your first broadcast, consider the power music could have on the viewing experience.

 

1. It adds a polished layer while remaining authentic

A major draw for the Live function is the fact it's more natural. When you're Live, the idea is that the content is less rehearsed. The lack of polished editing makes it feel more authentic and personal to the audience, which is a key differentiator between Live and other content on the platform.

However, a live broadcast without background audio can, itself, feel awkwardly unnatural, as if you're talking in a vacuum. A backing track can create the necessary audio filler to relax your audience's ears as they settle in to listen to your broadcast.

 

2. It's more immersive

If you're hosting a summer holiday, Halloween or Christmas live broadcast, for example, music is a great way to create a more immersive experience for those who tune in.

It sets the tone and the more engaging the audio, the longer the watch time. Best of all, TikTok boosts the visibility of content with proven engagement levels.

 

3. It creates a consistent atmosphere

There's a reason lounge bars play smooth jazz and atmospheric instrumental music. It's easy on the ears and doesn't interfere with people's conversation going on in the foreground.

It's also consistent and predictable. We're actually biologically conditioned to notice sudden changes in the sound levels of our surroundings. These changes could signal danger so it's part of our survival toolkit to tune in if there's a sudden silence or a loud bang.

Consistent audio creates a calming atmosphere that is more likely to put your listeners at ease and keep them engaged for longer. It's also great at filling any sudden awkward silences and regulating the perceived energy of the broadcast.

What's more, if your content is more about showing than telling, consistent audio will smooth over any jumps in audio from your live demo.

 

4. It can contribute to your sonic identity

A highly specific sonic identity can make your content recognizably yours across different videos and even different platforms.

You might create niche content that lends itself to a hyper specific style of music. Or, perhaps you've made a name for yourself for choosing super eclectic music that you know your community of followers loves (and trusts you to curate alongside your content).

 

5. It's an extra opportunity to engage your audience

Your music choices should not only align with your brand and content but also your target audience.

The combination of great content and a great choice of music offers you two opportunities to appeal to them. So why wouldn't you take them, if it means your audience likes your style enough to return and even share your profile with their followers and friends.

Part of the beauty of going live on TikTok is also the direct audience interaction. Considered music choices could encourage users to comment on your live stream. You could even invite them to suggest tracks they like listening to.
 

6. It's a fundamental part of the platform

Music is inherently part of the TikTok experience. After all, the app was born from the lip-syncing, dancing social medium Musical.ly, and so all TikTok users naturally expect a good audio experience.

 

How to go live on TikTok and add music

To add music to your TikTok Live broadcast, you'll need to follow these steps:

• Open the TikTok app
• From the bottom center panel, click the + Button (this is the normal route for adding any type of new content)
• Slide the bottom panel of buttons across until you see the Live option
• Enter a title, topic and goal for your Live stream so people know what they're about to watch
• Play around with the camera settings, filters and effects until you're happy with the visual for your Live. You can even select a green screen and completely change your background.
• Tap "Go live"
• Tap "Enhance" or the pencil icon associated with it
• Tap "Music". This will take you to TikTok's approved music library
• Choose from a genre and select the track you want to play
• Start broadcasting!

If you'd prefer to add your own licensed music to your TikTok Live stream, you can either play the track through your device speakers from wherever your music is stored (or from any device that's close enough to be picked up by your live stream.

Or, you can add your music to TikTok as a sound first, by tapping the + button, then "Add Sound" and importing from your file location.

 

The rules of using music in livestream

There are some pretty strict rules around the music you can play on TikTok, which extends to the Live Stream function.

You can't use commercial sounds or recorded music without a licence. This includes playing it in the app and through other devices in the background.

Also, you can't sing or perform music in your live stream that you don't own unless you have the necessary permissions and performance rights

Even if you own the rights to the music you intend to use, there's always a chance TikTok could flag it. So make sure you have the necessary paperwork to prove your permission to use the song before you start your video.

Get TikTok Live approved music with Universal Music for Creators

Get licensed music and sound FX for your TikTok Lives from our music library for creators. Search by theme, mood or original song to find the perfect fit for your next post.