Managing the Chaos: A Host's Guide to FireMics Lineup Tools
A paper signup sheet works until it doesn't. Names get crossed out, the order gets disputed, and you spend the first twenty minutes of your show sorting out a list instead of running one. The FireMics lineup tools handle all of that automatically so you can focus on the actual hosting.
Fixed versus flexible slots
Not every mic runs the same way, so FireMics gives you two options depending on how you like to operate.
- Fixed slots: Numbered positions that comics can claim in advance. If someone grabs slot 4, they know exactly when they are going up and can plan their night around it. This works well for busier mics where people are coming from across the city and need a reliable time.
- Flexible slots: General spots with no assigned number. You collect names and decide the order yourself on the night of the show. Good for smaller rooms or hosts who like to read the room and adjust as the show goes on.
Reserve spots with passwords
Most mics have a mix of open spots and reserved spots for comics who were specifically invited. FireMics handles both in the same signup sheet. You can password-protect individual slots and send that password directly to your booked guests so they can claim their spot online.
The rest of the list stays open for general signups. Everything lives in one place instead of being split between a digital sheet, a group chat, and three separate text conversations.
Managing the standby list
If you enable the standby list in your event settings, FireMics opens it automatically once your main list fills up. You control how many standby spots are available. Comics add themselves to the standby and hold their position in order. If someone cancels, the next person on standby gets the spot, not whoever refreshes the page fastest. This makes cancellations feel fair and keeps people from pestering you directly.
Self-cancellation
Performers can cancel their own spot directly from the event page without needing to contact you. Logged-in users can cancel with one click. People who signed up without an account can cancel by entering the email they used when they signed up. Either way, the spot opens back up and the standby list moves forward automatically.
This alone cuts down a significant amount of the day-of message traffic hosts normally deal with.
Requiring performer info at signup
One problem with open signups is not knowing who is actually on your list. FireMics lets you require an Instagram username or phone number when someone signs up. This gives you a way to reach out to performers before the show if something changes, and it cuts down on ghost signups from people who never intended to show up.
You can turn these on or off in your roster settings depending on how much information you actually need from your performers.
Automated cutoffs
Late signups create headaches. Someone shows up as you're about to start the show and asks to get on the list, which means reshuffling the order you already set. The signup cutoff feature closes the list at whatever time you choose, automatically. Set it for an hour before the show and by the time you walk in, the list is locked and you can focus on setting up.
Confirming each show date
A recurring mic on the calendar does not guarantee every date actually happens. Cancellations, venue conflicts, and slow weeks are part of hosting. FireMics lets you confirm each individual show date so performers know that specific night is on. Comics who have been burned by showing up to a cancelled mic they didn't know about will look for the confirmed flag before they commit to coming out.
You can confirm upcoming dates from your event management page. Make it a habit to confirm each show a day or two in advance and your attendance will reflect it.
Syncing settings to future dates
When you update your event settings, FireMics gives you the option to sync those changes to all upcoming unpublished show dates. This means you only have to make a change once instead of going through every future date individually. If you decide to switch from flexible to fixed slots, or change your cutoff time, one save pushes it everywhere.
Host tip: Make the list public
You can choose whether your signup list is visible only to you or to everyone. Making it public is worth it. Comics check who else is performing before they decide to come out. Seeing familiar names on the list is often what gets someone off the couch and into the room.