Getting Started

While this page has enough simple instructions for you to use Ad-Maker©, more complete instructions are available on the Ad-Maker© Help page. We suggest you start by printing out the Ad-Maker© Help page so you'll have all of the information handy as you use Ad-Maker©.

If you're an America Online user and have never uploaded files to your AOL workspace before, CLICK HERE for specific instructions on uploading files to AOL.

To create your own eBay® ad now, just follow the instructions given in the form below, completing each step in order.

1. Fill In The Ad-Maker© Form
2. Use the Preview function in Step 7 to see how the ad will look using the current settings in the Ad-Maker© form.
3. Make any changes you like to the settings in the form and repeat the Preview step until you're satisfied.
4. Press the "I Agree - Make My Ad!" button in Step 8 to have Ad-Maker© generate the HTML code for your ad in a pop-up window.
5. Copy the HTML code from the pop-up window into a text file containing all of your eBay® ads' HTML code using your favorite text file editor - OR - Proceed to Step 9 and submit your item to eBay® immediately.

Repeat items 1 through 5 above until you've created ads for all of the items you want to put up for auction. Then when you use eBay®'s form to put your item up for auction you just copy the HTML code from your text file and paste it into the eBay® form's box that holds the description for your item. Once you've submitted the item for auction, you just repeat this process until all of your items have been entered. We firmly believe that simple and attractive ads will go a long way to increasing your success on eBay®.

You can see what a sample ad would look like by pressing the "Preview Sample Ad" button below. This will fill in the form with the information for a typical eBay® ad and open Ad-Maker©'s Preview Window to show you how the ad would appear to bidders. Then you can try changing fonts and background colors until you see a combination that looks good to you. You might want to make a note of those settings so you can use them again the next time you use Ad-Maker©.

This document and the software incorporated in it is copyright © 1998-2003 by Rainbo Animation Art. Please do not make copies for others, and please don't remove the little Ad-Maker© link that gets inserted into your ads. I put a lot of time and effort into creating this, and Maggie and I depend on things like this for our income, so we appreciate your cooperation. We would also appreciate your sending me EMail telling me what you think of Ad-Maker© and how you found out about it. Click here to send me an EMail or make a note of my EMail address below.

Thank-you!
Richard L. Trethewey
Rainbo Animation Art

Step 1: Enter A Title For Your Auction Item

Enter a title for your item in the text box below. It will be inserted in your ad as a banner headline over your item's picture (if any) and description. The title will also be used as the subject for EMails sent if the user clicks on the EMail link embedded in your ad so you'll know which item they're asking about.

Step 2: Auction Item Picture Information

If you have a picture of your item (and you know you should for most items), check the box below and be sure to enter the URL (for example, "http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/rainborick/myfile.gif") for the file that holds the picture. When you check this box, Ad-Maker© will automatically insert the picture alongside the description of the item.

Step 3: Enter Your Auction Item's Description

Describe the item you are putting up for auction. Include helpful details like age, size, and model number. You will also have an opportunity to display some details in Step 4, but this is where most bidders will look first. You can insert your own HTML code in the description to enhance your ad.

Step 4: Auction Item and Transaction Details

This is where you enter details about the item in this auction ad and the transaction with the winning bidder. Describe the condition of the item(s) in your ad and set payment terms and methods.

Step 5: Enter Your EMail Address

This is where you enter your EMail address. It will let potential bidders contact you with questions about your auction item and also allows them to see any other items you have up for auction.

Enter YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS here   select a BACKGROUND COLOR FOR THE EMAIL LINK area

Check this box if you want to use one of these Mailbox Icons in your ad

Mailbox #1	Mailbox #2	Mailbox #3	Mailbox #4	Mailbox #5
Mailbox #6	Mailbox #7	Mailbox #8	Mailbox #9	Mailbox #10

Help Me With EMail Addresses, Please     Jump to Preview     Jump to Create My Ad

Step 6: Information About Your Other Auctions

If you will have more than one item up for sale when you submit this one, checking this box will create a "Click Here" link in your ad that will let bidders see all of the items you currently have up for auction on eBay®.

Step 7: Preview Your Ad

Start by pressing the "Preview Ad" button below, which will draw your ad in a pop-up window, showing what your ad will look like on eBay®. Be sure to press the button at the bottom of the page to close the Preview window.

  

Do You Need To Make Any Changes? Click On The Part of your Ad You Want To Change


Help Me With Previews, Please     Jump to Create My Ad

Step 8: Create The HTML For Your Ad

When you've completed the form and like the results shown in the Preview Window, just press the "Make My Ad!" button below. The (optional) pop-up window and the HTML Box below will contain the HTML code for your ad. Just copy and paste the HTML code into a text file using whatever editor you prefer. The "Reset" button will clear the entire form and let you start over. However, you might find it easier to just leave the form filled out and only make the changes you need to show new items.