--- title: "How to Get Feature Bookings: A Comic's Roadmap | D.O.C." description: "A step-by-step roadmap to feature bookings: when you" url: https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-feature-bookings.html updated: 2026-11-10 --- The Career Atlas · Club circuit · stop 3 of 5 # Feature bookings: your roadmap Start the playbook → Your proof The short answer The feature holds the middle of the show, between the host and the headliner, and it’s often the first job where a set has to last for strangers night after night. Build the set at the length rooms ask for, tape it whole, send it the way each room asks, and keep the proof that you delivered. - **21** steps, each with its “done when” - **3** buyers, in their own words - **2** places to send it - **4** notes ready to send By D.O.C. Editorial · [The Career Atlas](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html) ## This roadmap, in five parts Your roadmap ## From here to headline a full show Where you are, the tests for the next stop, and the steps between, in the order most comics take them. The steps are the Career Field Manual's; mark each one as you go, and the day goes in your passport. You’re here if… ### Feature act: the middle of the show - You’ve hosted or done guest spots, and a booker has seen you work a real room. - You can hold an audience past the short spots: a feature set runs longer than a guest spot, and the length is the room’s own call. - You have clean minutes ready for the nights a room asks for them. - The next booking you want is the middle slot, after the host and before the headliner. You’re ready to move on when… ### …to [headline a full show](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-comedy-headliner.html) These are the tests the next stop’s buyers set in their own published rules. Tick each one when it’s true for you. You can run a headline-length set that holds a paying room: the Loony Bin in Tulsa asks for 45 minutes for headline consideration, Funny Girl Events for 45, and Lafayette Comedy’s own example of a headline set runs 40–60. [The Loony Bin, Tulsa ↗](https://tulsa.loonybincomedy.com/FreeForm/93aaa712-52ff-47a3-9da5-36acbe85def2/bca30415-8e4e-4ec5-817d-52222ac57427/Comedian_Booking_Info) · [Funny Girl Events ↗](https://www.funnygirlevents.com/submission.html) · [Lafayette Comedy ↗](https://www.lafayettecomedy.com/submissions/comediansubmission) You have full-length, unedited footage of that set. The Loony Bin books from full-length, unedited set video. [The Loony Bin, Tulsa ↗](https://tulsa.loonybincomedy.com/FreeForm/93aaa712-52ff-47a3-9da5-36acbe85def2/bca30415-8e4e-4ec5-817d-52222ac57427/Comedian_Booking_Info) A headliner or booker you’ve featured for will vouch for you. Lafayette Comedy asks who can vouch for you, and who you’ve opened for. [Lafayette Comedy ↗](https://www.lafayettecomedy.com/submissions/comediansubmission) A room that booked you to feature has booked you again. 0 of 4 true ### The playbook 21 steps in 4 parts, from the Career Field Manual. Each has its “done when”, a D.O.C. tool for it, and your status, note and target date; star up to twelve for your 90-day plan. #### Grow the act From the Career Field Manual: Grow the act without padding and Host, feature and headline. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 51–70, 115–131 and 435–455. 1. Grow the act without padding · set-05 #### Build a flexible twenty-minute set **Done when** A recording that shows pacing across the act. [Log the set in Stage Time →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html#log) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 2. Grow the act without padding · set-06 #### Build a thirty-minute feature-length set A feature set needs more than its minutes: room to cut, replace and go clean when a night asks for it. **Done when** Material tested in several different rooms. [Log the set in Stage Time →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html#log) [The Writers’ Room →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/how-to-write-stand-up-comedy.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 3. Host, feature and headline · roles-04 #### Prepare a twenty-to-thirty-minute feature set **Done when** Dependable tested material and recording. [Read the tape in Comic Critique →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/critique.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Assemble your booking proof From the Career Field Manual: Assemble booking proof and Host, feature and headline. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 143–173, 115–131 and 435–455. 4. Assemble booking proof · package-01 #### Choose the stage name used on every booking **Done when** One consistent name across your records. [Your SUCDb record →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedian-profile.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 5. Assemble booking proof · package-02 #### Write a one-paragraph comedian bio **Done when** Current facts without inflated credits. [How to write a comedian bio →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedian-bio.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 6. Assemble booking proof · package-03 #### Prepare a clean headshot or clear performer photo **Done when** A usable portrait with permission to share. [Headshots and credits →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedian-bio.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 7. Assemble booking proof · package-04 #### Record an uninterrupted live sample set One camera, the whole set, the room’s laughs audible, no music or cuts: buyers ask for continuous, unedited footage at the slot’s length. **Done when** A clip showing what a buyer can expect. [Set up the tape: Stage Time’s Tech tab →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html#tech) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 8. Assemble booking proof · package-05 #### Prepare a separate clean clip if you sell clean work **Done when** An actual clean performance sample. [Clean vs. Dirty →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/clean-dirty.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 9. Assemble booking proof · package-06 #### List your proven set lengths accurately **Done when** Lengths you can deliver in real rooms. [Your log in Stage Time →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html#log) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 10. Assemble booking proof · package-07 #### Record recent rooms, shows and dates with references **Done when** A verifiable performance history. [Your log in Stage Time →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html#log) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 11. Assemble booking proof · package-08 #### Build a one-link electronic press kit One link that answers a booker’s basic questions without an email back. **Done when** Accessible bio, clips and contact information. [What a booker needs from an EPK →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-get-booked-at-comedy-clubs.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 12. Assemble booking proof · package-09 #### Claim or create your SUCDb record with sourced credits **Done when** Submitted or updated information that is accurate. [Claim your SUCDb record →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedian-profile.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 13. Host, feature and headline · roles-05 #### Gather two references from rooms that booked you **Done when** Permission to share each reference. The note after a weekend → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Find and pitch the right rooms From the Career Field Manual: Find and pitch the right rooms. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 143–196. 14. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-03 #### Verify the current submission route for three target rooms Start inside the distance you can drive and still keep money. Note each room’s own route: a form, an email address, a showcase night. **Done when** A dated first-party booking requirement record. Where to send it, on this page → [The Club Directory →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-clubs.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 15. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-04 #### Tailor your clip and message to each buyer Say you’re submitting as a feature, send the tape at that room’s length, give real dates, and name who you’ve worked with. **Done when** Three concise, different pitches. The submission email → [Draft the booking message →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/how-to-start-stand-up-comedy.html#tool-booking) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 16. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-07 #### Ask about the slot, audience, pay and recording rules **Done when** A specific description of the opportunity. The questions to ask → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Get paid, and keep the record From the Career Field Manual: Host, feature and headline and Get paid. Keep records.. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 115–131, 435–455 and 234–289. 17. Host, feature and headline · roles-06 #### Calculate whether a feature date actually pays after travel A feature fee isn’t income until the road costs are out: miles, nights, meals and parking. **Done when** A net-gig calculation with your expenses. [Run the Math of a Gig →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-road-maps.html#math-of-a-gig) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 18. Get paid. Keep records. · money-01 #### Confirm the buyer, slot, set length and fee in writing **Done when** A saved agreement or confirmation. [Get the deal in writing →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/get-paid.html#deal) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 19. Get paid. Keep records. · money-02 #### Verify whether lodging and travel are included **Done when** Exact terms rather than assumptions. [Get Paid: the deal →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/get-paid.html#deal) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 20. Get paid. Keep records. · money-03 #### Know the payment date, payment method and paperwork **Done when** Who owes you what and by when. [How comedians get paid →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-how-comedians-get-paid.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 21. Get paid. Keep records. · money-04 #### Calculate every gig’s expected net before accepting **Done when** Fee minus realistic expenses, before taxes. [The Math of a Gig →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-road-maps.html#math-of-a-gig) [The Tour Planner →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-tour-planner.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date ### What speeds this up - **Host the rooms you want to feature in** The booker sees you every week. [The host’s job →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-host.html) - **Keep clean minutes on hand** Clubs, corporate shows and colleges can all use them. [Clean vs. Dirty →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/clean-dirty.html) - **Be easy to book** Reply the same day, give real dates, and send links that open. [Your bio and credits →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedian-bio.html) - **Answer festival and showcase calls** A set in front of bookers and producers who are looking. [Submission Deadlines →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-festival-submissions.html) - **Travel with comics you work well with** A headliner who asks for you brings you along. [Bookers, staff and headliners →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-networking.html) - **Bring your own audience** People who come to see you make you easy to book again. [Your dates on your own site →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/tour-dates-widget.html) Each week ## Your weekly rhythm here Habits, not a timetable: the atlas has no stopwatch. Keep these going, and the proof for this stop builds up week by week. - **Get up and log it** Take every set you can, and log each one: the room, the minutes and what held. - **Run the long version** Where a room gives you the time, do the full feature set, not your best five. - **Fix one minute** Pick the weakest minute on your last tape and rewrite it before the next set. - **Send one, follow up one** Send one submission the way a room asks, and follow up on one sent earlier, on that room’s own timetable. - **Watch the middle** Watch one full set by a working feature or headliner, and note how they hold the room after the host. - **Check the dates you have** Look at each booked date’s numbers: what it leaves you after the road. What buyers check ## In their own words Each buyer's published rule, quoted from its own page, checked on 10 November 2026. They differ, so send each one what its page asks for, and read the page again before you send. A club’s published booking rules ### The Loony Bin, Tulsa Full-length, unedited video, and 30 minutes for a feature. - We book from full length, unedited set video. - 30 minute set for feature consideration [The Loony Bin, Tulsa’s page ↗](https://tulsa.loonybincomedy.com/FreeForm/93aaa712-52ff-47a3-9da5-36acbe85def2/bca30415-8e4e-4ec5-817d-52222ac57427/Comedian_Booking_Info) · checked 10 November 2026 A producer’s published submission rules ### Funny Girl Events One continuous take of the whole set: 25 minutes for a feature, 45 for a headliner, nothing explicit. Only comics who already feature or headline at clubs should submit. - Feature: 25 minutes - Make sure the video is a continuous shot - only submit if you feature or headline at comedy clubs [Funny Girl Events’s page ↗](https://www.funnygirlevents.com/submission.html) · checked 10 November 2026 A club’s published submission rules ### Lafayette Comedy A 5–10 minute video of your stand-up, the role you want and references. Its own example of a feature set runs 10–25 minutes. - Feature: this could be 10-25 min set. - Who can vouch for you? - Who have you opened for? [Lafayette Comedy’s page ↗](https://www.lafayettecomedy.com/submissions/comediansubmission) · checked 10 November 2026 ### Where to send it Places that publish how a feature gets in, each checked on 10 November 2026. Save one to your booking desk to keep its status, a follow-up date and a note. [62 places in all, on the Career Atlas →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html#ways) Published route Lafayette, LA · Club spots · Form #### Lafayette Comedy A 5–10 minute stand-up video, not set to private, the role you want (host, opener, feature, headliner) and references who can vouch for you. Its own examples of set lengths: a feature 10–25 minutes. **Worth knowing.** It mostly brings in national touring comics; the showcases are where it books others. [Its page ↗](https://www.lafayettecomedy.com/submissions/comediansubmission) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Nashville, TN · Club spots · Email #### Zanies Nashville Email a 5–10 minute clip, a paragraph about you and your comedy, and any stage references, venues played and headliners you’ve featured for. **Worth knowing.** Its booker gets in touch only if there’s an opening. [Its page ↗](https://nashville.zanies.com/general-info/) Checked 10 November 2026 The money here ### Ask, and get it in writing None of the buyers on this page publishes what it pays a feature, so this page gives no figure: ask, and get the answer in writing. **In writing, before you go** - The dates, the number of shows and your set length - The fee, and whether it’s per show or for the run - When and how you’re paid - The room or condo, and who pays for travel - What happens if a show is cancelled - Recording and merch: whether you may Questions to ask before you say yes · [Road Maps: the Math of a Gig, with your own numbers](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-road-maps.html#math-of-a-gig) · [Get Paid, Get Back: the deal in writing](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/get-paid.html#deal) · [The IRS on gig work ↗](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/manage-taxes-for-your-gig-work) Ready to copy ## The notes to send Fill in what you know once: it fills every note below and stays on this device. Anything left blank shows in [brackets], to fill in by hand. Your details Your name Your home town The club The booker’s name Your set length, in minutes Your clip’s link Your credits, as they are The dates you can do Your SUCDb record or website One line on how the weekend went ### The submission email ``` Subject: Feature submission: [Your name], [Your home town] Hi [The booker's name], I'm [Your name], a stand-up from [Your home town], submitting as a feature for [The club]. Here's a full, unedited [Your set length, in minutes]-minute set: [Your clip's link] Credits, as they are: [Your credits, as they are]. I'm available [The dates you can do]. My bio and photo: [Your SUCDb record or website] Thank you for looking, [Your name] ``` ### The note after a weekend ``` Subject: Thank you, [The club] Hi [The booker's name], Thank you for having me as the feature this weekend. [One line on how the weekend went] If you need a feature again, I'm open [The dates you can do]. The full set from the weekend: [Your clip's link] Best, [Your name] ``` ### The short bio ``` [Your name] is a stand-up comedian from [Your home town]. Credits, as they are: [Your credits, as they are]. [Your name] features in clubs and has a clean set ready for corporate and private shows. Dates and clips: [Your SUCDb record or website] ``` ### Questions to ask before you say yes ``` 1. How many shows, which nights, and how long is my set? 2. What's the fee, and is it per show or for the run? 3. When and how am I paid? 4. Is there a room or a condo, and for which nights? Who pays for travel? 5. What's the content rule for these shows? 6. May I sell merch, and may I record my set? 7. Who do I check in with, and when? 8. What happens if a show is cancelled? ``` Your proof ## Proof for your passport Tick each piece when you have it: the day goes in your passport with it. The passport keeps your whole career's record on this device, to download, print and review once a year. The evidence ### This stop is done when you have A full, unedited feature-length tape, with a link that opens for anyone A weekend booked as the feature, in your log with its dates A booker or headliner who will vouch for your feature work A room that booked you to feature, booking you again Your record current: bio, photo and credits as they are Your status ### Feature bookings A link to your proof: a tape, a booking, a review Your private note **On your record** Nothing yet: your status changes and ticks appear here, each with its day. [Your whole passport: the timeline, your booking desk, your 90-day plan, the printable career record, the yearly review and the cloud copy →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html#passport) Saved in this browser ## Next stops [Club circuit · Close the room **Headline a full show** The headline slot carries more risk and more responsibility.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-comedy-headliner.html) [Colleges & campuses · Read the campus **An act for campuses** A campus is a buyer with a job to do, not just another comedy room.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-college-ready-comedy-act.html) ## Go deeper - [What is a feature comedian, and how do you become one?](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-feature-comedian.html) The explainer, from the D.O.C. book - [Chapter 6, Host, Feature, Headliner](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html) In D.O.C.’s companion book, Stand-Up Comedy: From Writing to Touring - [Jim Gaffigan: Saying What the Room Is Thinking](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/study-jim-gaffigan.html) The comic study: clean minutes that work in any room ## Sources The buyers' rules are quoted from each buyer's own page, checked on 10 November 2026. A buyer can change its rules at any time, so read its page before you send anything. - [The Loony Bin, Tulsa: comedian booking information ↗](https://tulsa.loonybincomedy.com/FreeForm/93aaa712-52ff-47a3-9da5-36acbe85def2/bca30415-8e4e-4ec5-817d-52222ac57427/Comedian_Booking_Info) A club’s published booking rules. - [Funny Girl Events, submissions ↗](https://www.funnygirlevents.com/submission.html) A producer’s published submission rules. - [Lafayette Comedy, comedian submissions ↗](https://www.lafayettecomedy.com/submissions/comediansubmission) A club’s published submission rules. - [Zanies Nashville ↗](https://nashville.zanies.com/general-info/) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [The D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html) The playbook's book topics, matched to the book's contents on 10 November 2026. ## About this roadmap **By D.O.C. Editorial.** This is one stop of [the Stand-Up Career Atlas](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html): club circuit, stop 3 of 5. It's a way to plan, not a promise of bookings: it gives no expected years, its only figures are the ones buyers and venues publish on their own pages, and the buyers' rules are theirs. For what the feature slot is, read [What is a feature comedian, and how do you become one?](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-feature-comedian.html). Updated 10 November 2026 · [The Career Atlas](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html) · [Comic's Corner](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/tools-for-comedians.html) · [Privacy](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/privacy.html)