A Handy Dandy Guide to Sending Avails.

We’ve talked previously about how to get booked, how to set up your own independent comedy show, and how to baby proof your house.  But somehow until today we had overlooked the critical issue of how to send avails.

It’s actually a quite simple process, you’ve done the hard work already you’ve written and performed jokes and now someone is willing to put you on something other than an open mic (hooray!).  Now all you have to do is send an email with your availability.  The subject line of that email could even be “Avails”, although if you want to be sure it is read immediately you may want to go with something more urgent like “Discount Boner Pills: LIMITED TIME OFFER”.  That way they know they need to read it soon in order to save on pharmaceuticals.

The body of the email should be, you guessed it, the dates you are available to perform.

You need only include the dates which may be relevant to the booker.  For example if that booker only books shows on Saturdays there is no need to send them all of your Mon-Fri avails. However, you should send the booker ALL of the dates you are available on the upcoming Saturdays for the next few months.  Don’t just send the Saturday you would most like to perform or works best for you because that show might already be full.

You may ask “But shouldn’t I hold back a few dates so that it looks like I’m booked some Saturdays” and I answer “No”, the more dates you have available the easier it will be for the booker to find a date that works for both of you.

Below I will provide two examples of how to send avails.  One is acceptable and the other is… well you probably won’t get booked.

ACCEPTABLE

Subject:  Re: Avails Comedy.

Hi (Name), I hope you’re well.  Here are my updated Saturday avails:

Feb 17, 24
March 3, 10, 31
April 7, 28
May 5, 12, 19, 26

Thanks for your time,
Shawn.

UNLIKELY TO GET YOU BOOKED

Subject: Hey there fcukface!

Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.

I can do March 3.  See you then.

You’re fiend,
Sean.

Well, I hope this has been helpful and make sure to check out our other “How To” articles as well as our ridiculous podcast “Pick a Side Stupid



Shawn is the owner and creator of UnSceneComedy.com


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