What Does "Notify a Small Group First" Mean?
What Does "Notify a Small Group First" Mean?
By default, FullSlot notifies everyone on your waitlist at the same time when a slot opens. `Notify a small group first` changes that. FullSlot starts with a smaller group from the top of your waitlist, waits to see if anyone claims the opening, then expands to the next group if the slot is still open.
Notify everyone vs. notify a small group first
Notify everyone at once Every eligible client gets notified at the same moment. It's fair, fast, and fills slots quickly. First to respond wins.
Notify a small group first FullSlot starts with a smaller group of clients from the top of your waitlist. If the slot goes unclaimed, it notifies the next group. After that, it can send the opening to everyone still waiting.
How it works
When a slot opens and this mode is enabled:
First group — FullSlot notifies the first set of clients and waits for the amount of time you configured in Settings.
Next groups — If no one claims it, FullSlot notifies the next group and waits again.
Final send — After the number of groups you configured, FullSlot can send the opening to everyone still waiting.
The slot stays open throughout. Each group gets a fresh chance to claim it.
Exception: If the slot is starting soon, FullSlot shortens the wait time automatically so there is still time to fill it before the appointment begins.
When should I use this mode?
This mode works best when:
- Your waitlist is large and you want to reward long-waiting or high-value clients before opening to everyone.
- You want VIPs to always get first access to openings without manually notifying them.
- Your appointment slots are in high demand and you'd rather give your best clients a head start than have it be pure first-come, first-served.
Broadcast mode is usually better when:
- Your waitlist is small (under 10 people) and speed matters more than rank.
- You want the slot filled as fast as possible and don't mind it going to whoever responds quickest.
How FullSlot decides who goes first
FullSlot chooses clients from the top of your waitlist. Priority is influenced by:
- Wait time — How long they've been on the waitlist. Longer = higher score.
- VIP status — Clients marked as VIP get a significant score boost.
- Existing booking — Clients who already have a future appointment on the same schedule get a bump, since claiming this slot would free their current spot (cascade rebooking).
- Responsiveness — Clients who have claimed or responded to past notifications score higher than those who consistently miss them.
You don't need to manage scores manually. They update automatically as your waitlist activity changes.
How to turn it on
Go to Settings in your dashboard and find the Notification Strategy section. Select Notify a small group first and save.
You can also configure:
- how many clients are in the first group
- how long to wait before the next group
- how long to wait for later groups
- when to send it to everyone still waiting
New slots will use this strategy from that point forward. Existing open slots are not affected.
Can I switch back?
Yes. Go to Settings → Notification Strategy and switch back to Notify everyone at once. There is no data loss; your waitlist and ranking history stay intact.