How not to be ‘that’ comic. Because the only thing worse than bombing is being banned.
Open mics are the comedy world’s gym. It’s where you work out new material, test timing, and build confidence—often in front of five other comics, a bartender, and someone doodling on a bar napkin. It’s a sacred and chaotic space. And like any shared space, it runs smoother when everyone knows the unspoken rules.
Whether it’s your first mic or your fiftieth—onstage or online—here’s how to be a solid community member (and not the person everyone quietly mutes).
1. Sign Up Honestly
If it’s a first-come-first-served list, don’t sneak your friend’s name on it. If it’s a lottery, don’t beg the host to move you up. If it’s booked ahead of time, don’t pretend you thought you were on the list “because you DM’d someone once in 2021.”
🎤 Golden Rule: Respect the mic. Respect the list. Respect the host.
🎧 Online Open Mic Tip: Sign up properly through the posted link or form. Don't just show up mid-show demanding a slot in the chat box. Hosts can see everything—and yes, they remember.
2. Stick to Your Time
Got five minutes? Take five minutes. Not six. Not “five-ish.” Definitely not “I just have one more quick story—"
Every comic needs stage time. Hogging it doesn’t make you look like a pro—it makes you look like a mic squatter.
💡 Pro Tip: Get a light? That’s your friendly “wrap it up” warning. Finish strong, not awkward.
🎧 Online Open Mic Tip: Keep an eye on the host’s time cues (they might be using the chat or a visual signal). Don’t pretend your Wi-Fi froze just to squeeze in a bonus joke. Yep, we've seen that one before.
3. Pay Attention (Even When You're Not On Stage)
We get it—some mics are long. But don’t ghost the room the moment your set is over (unless you have a legit reason). Support your fellow comics. Laugh. Clap. Be a warm body in a sea of folding chairs.
🙃 Secret bonus: People remember who listens and who vanishes. Comedy karma is real.
🎧 Online Open Mic Tip: Keep your camera ON unless you’ve let the host know otherwise. Lurking in the shadows with your mic muted and camera off makes it feel like you’re texting during someone’s set—because you probably are.
4. Don’t Heckle or Be Distracting
Yes, even if it’s a “fun” heckle. Even if you think you’re helping. You’re not.
Also, don’t loudly whisper punch-up ideas to your friend during someone else’s set. Don’t talk over bits. Don’t text with your phone at full brightness like you’re signaling Batman.
🚫 Open mics are not group chat IRL.
🎧 Online Open Mic Tip: Mute yourself unless you’re laughing or interacting. Background noise from your roommate reheating leftovers is not a helpful punchline. And no, typing loudly isn’t silent support. Yep, we can hear you typing.
5. Keep Your Props, Pets, and Entourage to a Minimum
Unless your act involves a puppet, ferret, or folding table on purpose, leave it at home. An open mic stage is not a storage unit. Keep your gear minimal, your movement intentional, and your dog with your roommate.
🧳 One bag rule: If you can’t carry it all in one trip, it’s probably too much.
🎧 Online Open Mic Tip: Yes, your cat is cute. No, it shouldn’t crawl across your laptop mid-set and put its butt in the camera. Yep, we saw that, too. Also, your camera background shouldn’t be your laundry pile or a blaring TV. Be as intentional online as you are in person.
6. Don’t Film Other Comics Without Permission
This should go without saying—but here we are. Only film your own set unless someone asks you to capture theirs. Don’t post someone’s unfinished joke online. That’s like posting a photo of someone mid-blink with the caption “headshot!”
📸 Be cool. Ask first.
🎧 Online Open Mic Tip: Hosts and co-hosts have a record button on Plauzzable—and everyone can see when you’re using it. If you’re a host wanting to record, add that info in the event description so comics can decide in advance. Never record without permission. And attendees –definitely don’t screen-record the chat without everyone’s permission. Nobody wants their work-in-progress TikTok’d out of context.
7. Ask for Feedback… Wisely
Open mics are great for feedback. But if you ask another comic for notes, don’t argue with everything they say. You don’t have to agree—but say thank you and move on.
🧠 Take what you like, leave the rest.
🗣️ And if you’re constantly asking but never changing your set—people notice.
🎧 Online Open Mic Tip: Online mics sometimes have feedback sessions or hangouts afterward—join them! But don’t hijack the chat mid-show with “thoughts on my set?” Save it for after the mic or a direct message. Some open mics allow time for feedback between sets and others do not. Listen for ques and respect the host.
8. Be Kind to the Host
Hosting a mic is like herding caffeinated cats. The host deserves your thanks, your respect, and zero backtalk when they bump you for a paying customer or need to cut someone short.
🧤 Remember: the host controls the list and the vibe.
🎧 Online Open Mic Tip: If your tech goes haywire, don’t blame the host. And for the love of Wi-Fi, don’t try to troubleshoot your audio mid-set during the show. It throws everything off. Test your tech ahead of time. If you haven’t been there before, be sure to arrive early.
9. Clean Up After Yourself
Don’t leave drink cups, napkins, or emotional baggage at the mic. Pick up after yourself. If you bombed, take the L and your banana peel with you.
🎧 Online Open Mic Tip: “Clean up” means keeping your background neat, your lighting clear, and your mic not covered in Cheeto dust. Also, don’t bounce early unless you’ve told the host. It’s still a shared space—even if it’s virtual.
10. Be Cool. Don’t Be Creepy.
It’s not a dating event. It’s not your therapy group. Be funny, be polite, and don’t make people uncomfortable. That vibe gets around faster than your tight five.
🎧 Online Open Mic Tip: Same rules apply. Don’t DM comics weird stuff mid-mic. Hold off on DM’ing someone "just to say hi" while they’re performing. It throws everyone -the performing comic stops to read chats, the host and everyone else stops listening to read them, too. It’s another distraction –similar to someone having a side conversation in the room.
Final Thought: Mics Are Practice, Not Netflix Specials
Open mics—onstage or online—are where you grow. They’re where you bomb, improve, experiment, and connect. Respect the space and the people in it, and you’ll become not only a better comic—but someone people want to work with.
Because honestly? Talent is great. But being respectful, kind, and funny? That’s the real triple threat.
Written by
Plauzzable