> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://adly-news.gitbook.io/adly.news-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://adly-news.gitbook.io/adly.news-docs/03-businesses/02-booking-ad-slots.md).

# Booking Ad Slots

This guide walks you through the complete process of booking an ad slot in a newsletter, from submitting a request to completing payment.

## How Booking Works

There are three main paths to booking a newsletter ad:

### Booking Request

When you submit a booking request at the asking price:

1. You submit a request with your details and preferred date
2. The newsletter owner reviews and accepts or declines
3. If accepted, you have 48 hours to complete the booking
4. You provide creative assets and payment to confirm

### Booking from an Accepted Offer

When you make an offer and it's accepted:

* You have 48 hours to complete the booking
* The negotiated price applies
* Same booking completion process

### Booking from a Campaign

When a newsletter applies to your campaign and you approve:

* The booking is created from the application
* Campaign creative (if provided) is used
* The newsletter may have proposed their own rate
* Less manual setup required on your end

This guide focuses primarily on the booking request flow. Offer-based and campaign bookings follow a similar completion process.

## Overview of the Booking Process

Booking an ad slot involves four main steps:

1. **Contact Details** — Provide your business information
2. **Schedule** — Select your preferred date
3. **Creative Assets** — Upload your ad content
4. **Payment** — Complete your purchase

## Starting a Booking

### Submitting a Booking Request

1. Navigate to **Browse Newsletters**
2. Click on a newsletter to view its profile
3. Find the ad slot you want
4. Click **Request Booking at $X**
5. Fill in the required information:
   * Your name
   * Company website
   * Brief campaign description
   * Preferred date
6. Submit your request
7. Wait for the newsletter owner to accept

### From an Accepted Offer

If you submitted an offer that was accepted:

1. Go to **My Requests & Offers**
2. Find your accepted offer
3. Click **Complete Booking**
4. You'll have 48 hours to complete this process

## Completing Your Booking

Once your booking request or offer is accepted, you'll complete these steps:

## Step 1: Contact Details

### Business Information

Confirm or update your business details:

| Field                   | Description                        | Example                           |
| ----------------------- | ---------------------------------- | --------------------------------- |
| **Contact Name**        | Your name                          | Jane Smith                        |
| **Company Name**        | Your business name                 | Acme Inc.                         |
| **Company Website**     | Your website URL                   | <https://acme.com>                |
| **Company Description** | Brief description of your business | B2B software for small businesses |
| **Location**            | City, State, Country               | San Francisco, CA, US             |

### Business Logo

Upload your business logo:

* Used for your ad if the format includes a logo
* Recommended size varies by ad format
* Accepted formats: JPG, PNG

### Why This Matters

Newsletter owners see this information:

* It helps them understand your business
* It may appear in the ad placement
* Complete information builds trust

## Step 2: Select a Date

### Viewing Available Dates

The calendar shows:

* **Available dates** — Selectable, matches newsletter's publishing days
* **Unavailable dates** — Already booked or non-publishing days
* **Today's date** — Highlighted for reference

### Choosing Your Date

1. Review the calendar
2. Click on an available date
3. The date is selected for your booking

### Considerations

When selecting a date:

| Factor              | Recommendation                                   |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| **Lead time**       | Book at least a few days out to prepare creative |
| **Campaign timing** | Align with product launches, promotions          |
| **Day of week**     | Consider when your audience is most active       |

### Publishing Days

Newsletters only publish on certain days. The calendar only shows dates when:

* The newsletter publishes
* No existing booking conflicts

## Step 3: Creative Assets

### What You'll Provide

Depending on the ad format, you'll need to provide:

#### Title/Headline

* Your ad headline
* Keep it compelling and clear
* Check the character limit

#### Image

Upload your ad image:

| Requirement    | What to Check                            |
| -------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| **Dimensions** | Match the specified size (e.g., 600x300) |
| **Format**     | JPG, PNG, or GIF as specified            |
| **File size**  | Keep reasonable for email                |
| **Quality**    | Clear, professional appearance           |

**Tips for great images:**

* Use high contrast for email viewing
* Include your logo subtly
* Make the image self-explanatory

#### Copy (Body Text)

Write your ad copy:

| Aspect      | Best Practice                   |
| ----------- | ------------------------------- |
| **Length**  | Stay within character limits    |
| **Tone**    | Match the newsletter's style    |
| **Value**   | Focus on benefits to the reader |
| **Clarity** | One clear message               |

**Example structure:**

1. Hook — Grab attention
2. Value — What's in it for them
3. Proof — Why trust you
4. CTA — What to do next

#### CTA (Call-to-Action)

Configure your call-to-action:

| Field        | Description       | Example                  |
| ------------ | ----------------- | ------------------------ |
| **CTA Text** | Button text       | "Try Free for 14 Days"   |
| **CTA URL**  | Landing page link | <https://acme.com/trial> |

**CTA best practices:**

* Use action verbs (Get, Try, Start, Learn)
* Keep it short (2-5 words)
* Match the landing page to the promise
* Use UTM parameters for tracking

#### Campaign Goals (Optional)

Describe what you hope to achieve:

* Helps the newsletter owner understand your goals
* May influence how they present your ad

### Previewing Your Ad

After entering your creative:

1. Review the preview on the right side
2. Check how your ad will appear
3. Make adjustments as needed
4. Ensure all elements look correct

## Step 4: Payment

### Reviewing Your Order

Before payment, confirm:

| Detail         | What to Check              |
| -------------- | -------------------------- |
| **Newsletter** | Correct publication        |
| **Ad Slot**    | Right format and placement |
| **Date**       | Your selected date         |
| **Price**      | Expected amount            |

### Entering Payment Information

Provide your payment details:

1. Enter credit/debit card number
2. Add expiration date and CVC
3. Enter billing address if required

### Completing Payment

1. Review the total amount
2. Click **Complete Booking** or **Pay Now**
3. Wait for payment processing
4. You'll see a confirmation when successful

### Payment Security

* Payments are processed securely through Stripe
* Card details are never stored on adly.news
* You'll receive an email receipt

## After Booking

### Confirmation

After successful payment:

* You'll see a booking confirmation page
* An email confirmation is sent
* The booking appears in **My Bookings**

### What Happens Next

1. **Newsletter owner notified** — They receive your booking details
2. **Creative reviewed** — They prepare to include your ad
3. **Ad published** — Your ad goes out on the scheduled date
4. **Booking completed** — The booking is automatically marked complete after the scheduled date

### Communicating with Newsletter Owner

After booking, you can message the newsletter owner:

1. Go to **Messages**
2. Find the conversation
3. Discuss any questions or changes

## Modifying a Booking

### Before Publication

If you need changes:

1. Contact the newsletter owner via messaging
2. Discuss the needed changes
3. Work together on a solution

### Changes That May Be Possible

* Updated creative assets
* Minor copy adjustments
* Image replacements

### Changes That May Not Be Possible

* Date changes (depends on availability)
* Cancellations (check cancellation policy)
* Format changes after booking

## Tips for Successful Bookings

### Prepare Creative in Advance

* Have assets ready before booking
* Match dimensions to specifications
* Proofread all copy

### Book Ahead

* Give yourself time to prepare
* Allows for any needed revisions
* Better date availability

### Track Your Campaigns

* Use UTM parameters in CTA URLs
* Monitor your landing page analytics
* Measure results by newsletter

### Provide Complete Information

* Fill in all required fields
* Be thorough in descriptions
* Professional presentation builds trust

## Common Questions

### What if my image is the wrong size?

Resize your image before uploading. Most image editors can crop or resize to match the specifications.

### Can I book the same newsletter multiple times?

Yes, you can book multiple dates. Each booking is separate.

### What happens if I don't complete a booking from an accepted request/offer?

If you don't complete within 48 hours, the request/offer expires and the date becomes available again.

### Can I use the same creative for different newsletters?

You can, but consider customizing for each audience. Tailored creative often performs better.

### How do I know when my ad was published?

The booking is automatically marked complete after the scheduled publication date. You'll receive a notification.

## Next Steps

* Track your bookings in [Managing Bookings](/adly.news-docs/03-businesses/05-managing-bookings.md)
* Communicate with newsletter owners via [Messages](/adly.news-docs/03-businesses/06-messages.md)
* View scheduled bookings in your [Calendar](/adly.news-docs/03-businesses/07-calendar.md)


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