CB Comedy Booker

Templates

Comedy Booking Email Templates (For Comics, Bookers, and Venues)

· 6 min read

Most comedy booking happens by email. The same five or six emails get written by both sides over and over. Here's the working version of each one — copy, paste, adapt.

For comics

1. Cold pitch to a booker (you've never met)

Subject: Available [month] — [your name], [strongest credit]

Hi [first name],

I'm a comic based in [city]. I've been working steadily at [room A] 
and [room B], and recently featured at [room C]. I'm available for 
guest spots or feature work in [month range].

Tape (3 mins, clean, recent): [link]
Credits: [3–5 short]
[website or socials]

Happy to send a longer set if useful. Thanks for the read.

[your name]
[phone]

2. Follow-up (10–14 days after no reply)

Subject: Re: Available [month] — [your name]

Hi [name],

Bumping this in case it got buried. Tape and dates above. No worries 
if it's not a fit right now — happy to be on the radar later in the 
year.

[your name]

3. Thank-you after a guest spot

Subject: Thanks for tonight

Hi [name],

Thanks for putting me up tonight. Loved the room — would happily be 
back. I have [date range] open if you're booking that ahead.

[your name]

4. Quoting a corporate / private fee

Subject: Quote: [event name], [date]

Hi [first name],

Thanks for reaching out. For a [length] clean set at your [event 
type] on [date] in [city], my fee is $[amount] plus travel 
(estimated $[amount]). That includes [meet-and-greet / Q&A / 
soundcheck — list extras].

50% deposit holds the date. Once you're ready to move forward, I'll 
send a contract.

Happy to discuss any of this.

[your name]
[phone]

5. Polite decline of a low-budget gig

Subject: Re: [event] inquiry

Hi [name],

Thanks for reaching out. The fee you've mentioned is below my 
working rate, so I'm going to pass — but I appreciate you thinking 
of me. If your budget shifts up to the $[X]–$[Y] range later, I'd 
love to revisit.

In the meantime, you might try [Open Comedy](https://opencomedy.com) 
or a local comedy producer for a comic at the right level for the 
event.

Thanks again,
[your name]

For bookers

6. Initial outreach to a comic

Subject: Booking inquiry: [event type], [date], [city]

Hi [comic],

I'm organizing a [event type] on [date] in [city] for approximately 
[number] guests — [short audience description]. We're looking for a 
[length] [content rating] set.

Budget is $[range], plus travel.

Would you be available and interested? Happy to share more on a 
quick call.

[your name]
[your role]
[your phone]

7. Asking for a tape and references

Subject: Re: [event] — a few follow-ups

Hi [comic],

Thanks for the quick reply. Before we move forward, could you send:

- A 5–15 minute tape of a recent set (not a clipped highlight reel)
- One reference from a similar event in the past year (corporate / 
  wedding / non-profit, depending)
- Your tech rider

Looking to confirm by [date].

Thanks,
[your name]

8. Sending the contract

Subject: Contract for [event date]

Hi [comic],

Attached is the contract for [date]. Please review, sign, and 
return at your convenience. Once we have it back, I'll send the 
deposit invoice.

Let me know if you'd like to adjust anything before signing.

Thanks,
[your name]

9. Polite pass after a tape

Subject: Re: [event] — update

Hi [comic],

Thanks for sending the tape. After reviewing, we've decided to go 
in a different direction for this event — but really appreciate you 
taking the time. We'll keep your details for future bookings.

Best,
[your name]

For venue managers (running a comedy night)

10. Booking your monthly lineup

Subject: [Venue] Comedy Night — [month] lineup

Hi [comic],

Hope you're well. I'm booking the [month] lineup for our weekly 
comedy night at [venue] — [day] nights, doors 7pm, show 8pm.

We're paying:
  - MC: $[amount]
  - Feature (15 min): $[amount]
  - Headliner (25 min): $[amount]

Available dates this month: [list]

Would any of those work for you? Happy to send a contract once 
we've confirmed.

[your name]
[venue]

11. Day-of confirmation (sent 24 hours before)

Subject: Tomorrow — [show name] at [venue]

Hi [comic],

Quick day-before confirmation:

  - Doors: 7:00 PM
  - Sound check: 7:15 PM
  - You're on at: [time]
  - Set length: [minutes]
  - Stage door at the back, I'll meet you there
  - Green room is the back booth on the left
  - Pay (cash) at end of night

Forecast looks [weather]. Drive safe / see you on the train.

[your name]
[your phone]

12. Post-show thank-you (re-book the good ones)

Subject: Last night — thanks

Hi [comic],

Last night was great — really enjoyed your set, audience clearly 
did too. Would love to have you back. We have [date range] open 
for [feature / headline] spots — let me know what works.

[your name]

A few rules behind all of these

  1. Subject lines are scannable. Always include the date or month, the venue or your role, and a one-word identifier. Bookers triage by subject.
  2. One paragraph per email. Two if you must. Long emails get archived.
  3. Always state the next action. "I'll send the contract." "Let me know if [date] works." "If we don't connect, I'll re-send in two weeks."
  4. Numbers in the email body, not in attachments. Pricing, dates, set length — make them scannable. Most bookers read on phones.
  5. No emoji, no signatures with five social media icons, no quotes from comedians at the bottom. Plain is professional.

The single biggest improvement for most comedy emails: shortening them by half. Whatever draft you've written, delete the first sentence and the last sentence. The remaining email is almost always better.

Related guides