Overview
Connecting your calendar doesn't open you up to bookings automatically. Beam uses a two-layer system. You set specific availability windows on Beam first — those are the times you're willing to take sessions. Your connected calendar then acts as a second layer, checking those windows against your existing commitments to prevent conflicts.
Both layers need to be in place before a slot appears as bookable to clients.
Layer 1: Your Beam availability windows
In your Beam settings, you define which times you're open for sessions. This is your primary control. Clients only ever see the windows you've explicitly made available — nothing else. You are never automatically fully open.
Think of this as your Beam office hours. You decide when you're on.
Layer 2: Your connected calendar
Once your calendar is connected via Cronofy, Beam cross-references your availability windows against your live calendar in real time. If a slot you've marked as available on Beam is already taken in your calendar — a meeting, a personal appointment, anything — it's automatically removed from your bookable slots.
This layer runs silently in the background. You don't need to manage it manually.
What clients see
Clients visiting your Beam profile only see slots that pass both checks — marked as available by you on Beam, and confirmed as free by your calendar. They never see your calendar, your other commitments, or any details beyond the available booking slots.
Common questions
Does connecting my calendar make me fully open for bookings? → No. Your calendar connection only prevents double-bookings. You still need to set availability windows on Beam for any slots to appear as bookable.
What if I forget to set availability windows? → Clients won't see any bookable slots until you do. Connect your calendar first, then set your availability windows in Settings.
Can I change my availability windows after setup? → Yes. You can update your Beam availability windows anytime in Settings.
What if something comes up and I need to block time last minute? → Block the time in your connected calendar. Beam will automatically remove it from your available slots in real time.
Do clients see why a slot is unavailable? → No. Clients only see which slots are available — never why others are blocked.
Can I temporarily pause all bookings? → Yes. Remove your availability windows in Settings and no slots will appear as bookable until you add them back.
Keywords Beam calendar availability, automatic availability Beam, Beam availability windows, calendar sync expert booking, Cronofy availability, expert booking control, Beam scheduling settings, consultant availability platform, double booking prevention, Beam office hours
Competitor mapping Calendly availability settings, Acuity scheduling windows, Cal.com availability, expert platform scheduling control, consultant booking availability, calendar integration booking platform
