By Admin
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How To Actually Get Booked (spoiler alert, sliding into our DMs ain't it)
Here are some easy to follow guidelines for contacting bookers. We even included a copy and paste template for you to use in your emails.
Hey comics—this is your friendly comedy club owner and part-time booking gremlin with a big ol’ brain dump of tough love on how to actually get booked. If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I submit my avails?” or “Why don’t they answer my DMs?” or “Do all bookers hate social media?”—read on and let’s make your next booking actually happen.
Step 1: FIND & USE THE OFFICIAL BOOKING EMAIL
This is the Golden Rule:
The club has a booking email. That address is the only way to get booked. It’s listed on our website, probably in our Instagram bio, and maybe on the Facebook page too. If you can’t find it, ask once, politely—then stick to using it!
The club has a booking email. That address is the only way to get booked. It’s listed on our website, probably in our Instagram bio, and maybe on the Facebook page too. If you can’t find it, ask once, politely—then stick to using it!
Do NOT:
Drop your avails in comments on our posts (“Got any guest spots open Friday?” will just get you ghosted).
Send your EPK in Facebook or Instagram DMs (seriously… those go into the internet void).
Call the club and treat the person who answers (me, on my lunch break from my day job) like a receptionist and demand the booker. Do this, and your booking karma will be shot for eternity.
Slide into our DMs with a “Yo, put me up!” (again: internet void).
If you don’t email the official booking email, YOU ARE NOT IN THE BOOKING QUEUE. No exceptions. DMs, comments, and phone calls will not get you a spot—they may get you quietly written off the list.
Step 2: WHAT TO SUBMIT (Spoiler: Only What We Actually Need)
Frequency
Once or twice a month. Not daily, not “just circling back” every few days. If you don’t hear back, keep submitting each month. That’s not annoying. That’s what pros do.
Body of the Email (Easy to Copy-Paste Template)
Paste this info right in the email—don’t make us open five attachments or chase details on your website. This is your EPK, but simple:
Name: [Your Name]
Base: [City, State]
Roles: Host (5), Feature (20–30), Headliner (45–60) — whatever you’re prepared for
Avails: (Type the DATES you can do, clear as day: “Sep 6–8, Sep 20–22, Oct 3–6…”). WE SEARCH EMAILS BY DATE when we’re filling holes. If your date is hidden, you’re invisible!
Bio: (3–4 sentences, highlight style, relevant credits, “voice”)
Credits/Reviews: (List a few real credits—TV/radio/press, or a legit pull-quote)
Video Links:
Host/Guest: 5 minutes
Feature: 20–30 minutes
Headliner: 45–60 minutes
(Put one Youtube unlisted link per set length—no password-protected Dropbox/Google Drive links, no login walls, no “ask for access.” We want to click and watch, period.)
(Put one Youtube unlisted link per set length—no password-protected Dropbox/Google Drive links, no login walls, no “ask for access.” We want to click and watch, period.)
Videos MUST be one-take, the length of the spot you want. No reels, montages, or crowd work compilations. We need to see you do the thing we might actually book you for.
Headshot: Attach a clean, well-lit headshot (not you mid-blur holding a mic in front of a brick wall). This is for promos. It does not need pro lighting, just a nice phone shot with your face and good lighting will do. No sunglasses. No car. No weird filters.
Website/EPK Link: (Optional, if you have a site with all the above. Still paste your avails and video in the body.)
Socials: Handles/links if you want ‘em.
Close politely: “Thanks for your time—happy to fill short-notice dates.”
Why So Detailed?
We get hundreds of submissions, even as a small club. Bookers can’t reply to everyone (don’t take this personally!). Silence doesn’t mean rejection—it means try again next month. We also literally use Gmail’s search to fill spots, so the more clear, searchable, and complete your email is, the better your odds.
Step 3: Make The Booker’s Job Freaking Easy
Dates go in the body of the email. Text format, not an attachment. The easier you make it, the higher your chances.
Everything bookers need is in one place—don’t make us go hunting for details.
One simple, accessible YouTube link per video.
No messaging the club for spots outside the booking email.
The more hoops you add, the worse your chances are.
Step 4: Set Expectations (aka: Don’t Get Discouraged)
Clubs get massive amounts of submissions, even small clubs like ours. Even if you’re good, you may not hear back right away. This isn’t a comment on your talent.
Branding yourself and your materials well (clear video, clean headshot, searchable dates) helps you jump the line.
If you’re offered a feature/guest spot, take it—don’t “hold out” for the headline gig straight away.
If you’re within driving distance, come to an open mic—many clubs (like ours) film sets for comics and charge just $10 for an edited, professional 5-minute tape you can submit everywhere.
Your EPK does not need to be expensive. Can’t afford a fancy headshot? Get a friend, find some light, use a current phone, boom.
Persistence, patience, and professionalism get noticed! Keep submitting monthly and update your avails.
TL;DR
Only submit by email. (Comments, DMs, and phone calls = never booked)
Fill your avails email with ALL the needed info, in the body.
Clean headshot, real video, no sizzle reels, real credits, and searchable dates.
Keep at it—persistence works.
Make the booker’s life easier and you WILL get more spots.
Now go write the perfect avails email and crush your next set! If you actually read this whole thing, you’re already ahead of the game.