Genius Guide: How to Create a Potluck Sign Up

Plan the perfect potluck with SignUpGenius. Follow our Genius Guide to create your online sign up sheet in just minutes to help keep your potluck organized.

1) Start your sign up

• Sign in or Sign Up for a free account
• Click Create a Sign Up

2) Design Tab

• Add Title: “Neighborhood Potluck” or “Office Summer Potluck.”
• Add Group: Create your list of recipients
• Categorize: Select the type of event you are hosting and the category (cause) for the event.
• Customize: Choose theme like Thanksgiving or Education and select a fun design to go along with the sign up.

Looking for potluck theme ideas? Check out our

Potluck Ideas Guide

3) Slots Tab

• Choose Format: Most potlucks are one-off events which would be Slots Only Format. Check other options though to make sure its the one you need.
• Choose End Date: Select a date before your event when you want to close the sign up.
• Add Slots: This is where you will add the items you want for the potluck.
  • Click Add Slots
  • Add Slot Title: e.g. "Dessert" or "Pumpkin Pie"
  • Number Wanted: Select how many of that item do you need
  • ℹ️ Check out options for Hide Number Wanted and Waitlist for additional customization options. Available on paid plans only. See Pricing
  • Collect Money: Check this box if you want to request money or donations from people who sign up. Great for fundraisers!
• Click Save and Add Another to keep adding items
• Click Save to go back to the sign up page.
• Click Save and Continue to move to Settings.

4) Settings Tab

• All participants will be required to enter their name
• Decide if you want the following info to be required or optional:
  • Email
  • Comments
  • Phone Number
  • Address

🧠 Genius Tip: Add customer questions to your sign up to gather more information. Available on paid plans only. See Pricing

Need help organizing your potluck and removing stress? See our:

Potluck Planning Guide

5) Preferences

• General
  • Choose whether to allow participants to swap items with each other.
  • ℹ️ Remove ads and SignUpGenius branding with paid plans.
• Notifications
  • Choose whether to receive email notifications when particpants take an action in the sign up
• Restrictions
  • Click Enhanced Security to add options like
  • Require a SignUpGenius account for participants
  • Require an access code
  • Reject sign ups from people not in your Group (contact list)
  • ℹ️ Additional features like Quantity Limits and Start/Stop Dates are available on paid plans.
• Integrations
  • Optional: Connect your sign up to a Donations Campaign.
• Click Save and Continue

👉 Learn more about SignUpGeniusDonations

6) Preview Your Sign Up

• See what your sign up page will looks like when participants land on the page and when they choose to sign up for a slot.
• Click Save Draft if you want to come back later for more edits.
• Click Publish when you are done and ready to go live!

🧠 Genius Tip: Use the two icons on the top right to toggle between previews on desktop and mobile.

7) Share Tab

• Share Link
  • Use the link provided to send the sign up to anyone you like via any method you like
  • ℹ️ QR code generator and the ability to customize or shorten links are available on paid plans.
• Email: Send an email straight from SignUpGenius to you group (contacts) to let them know it's ready. Click Compose Message to customize your email.
  • ℹ️ Invite by text is available for paid plans members.
• Embed the link on your website: Paid plan members only
• Create a Portal Page: Paid plan members only
• Click View anytime to check our your newly made sign up

Manage responses in real time

• Watch slot counts so you do not end up with ten brownies and no mains.
• Use Edit to add or cap slots as the list fills.
• If needed, Message Participants with updates or a callout for what is still needed.

Reuse for next time

• Click Duplicate to copy the set-up for your next Friendsgiving, church lunch, or team banquet.

FAQ: Potlucks with SignUpGenius

How do I prevent duplicate dishes?
Create specific slots and set Quantity limits. Use the Comment Field so people name their dish.

What if I need RSVPs and food sign ups?
Use RSVP for headcount on a single date, then include slots under that date for dishes. If you are running monthly potlucks, choose non-RSVP and add multiple dates.

How do reminders work?
Enable Automatic Reminders so each participant gets a nudge before the event with their item and instructions.

Can I edit the sign up after publishing?
Yes. You can add slots, adjust quantities, or update details. Participants will see changes right away.

Can I track dietary restrictions?
Add custom questions and require the Comment Field. Encourage labels like “contains nuts” or “vegetarian.”