Scheduling Ads with PostEngine for Desktop

Before you start: Installing PostEngine for Desktop

Overview

PostEngine's scheduling feature lets you queue up ads in advance instead of manually posting each one, saving you time and helping keep your listings consistent throughout the week. PostEngine for Desktop can schedule posts up to 7 days ahead, so you can plan out your posting calendar and let the app handle the rest.

Scheduling a post

1. Open PostEngine for Desktop and click Floorplans in the sidebar.  

2. Find the unit you'd like to post for and click Post Now.

   

   
   
3. Scroll to the bottom of the Ad Preview and use the calendar to select a date for your post. Posts can be scheduled up to 7 days in advance.
4. Use the drop-down menu to select an available time slot for your scheduled post (only one post per time slot). 

5. Click OK. The ad has now been scheduled and will be auto-posted at the time you selected. 

   

   

Managing scheduled posts

1. Click Scheduled Posts to view the status of the posts you've scheduled. 

2. You can edit the content of your Scheduled Posts while they are in the Scheduled state. To edit, click the pencil icon. 

   

   
   

3. The Preview form will open. You can now make changes to the content of the post. When you're done, scroll to the bottom and click Save Changes. 

   

   
   

4. You can also delete your Scheduled Posts while they are in the Scheduled state. To delete, click the trash can icon next to the post. Click Remove Post to confirm.

   

   
   

Once a scheduled ad has been successfully published, the status will update to "Posted." If the ad has failed, it will also note that. See Troubleshooting Failed Scheduled Posts

When PostEngine for Desktop is running 

• You'll see the PostEngine for Desktop icon displayed in the toolbar on your desktop. In order for the software to complete its automated tasks, it's important that it's left open and running on your computer. 
• You may see a series of small pop-up boxes appear in the lower, right-hand corner of your screen indicating tasks that are in progress or have been completed.

Tutorial Video

Troubleshooting

The PostEngine icon isn't in my toolbar.

If you haven't uninstalled the PostEngine app but can't see the icon, it may just be closed! Search for it in your Windows start menu and click to open. If you do need to install the app, you can find everything you need here

I can't find my Post Now buttons.

Make sure you're on the Floorplans page by clicking Floorplans in the upper left corner of the window, then click the circular arrow to refresh the page. If you don't see Post Now buttons next to each available unit on the page, please reach out to us at help@rooof.com.

All the time slots are greyed out, and I can't schedule my post.

You can schedule only one post per hour, and the time slots are shared by everyone posting to your Craigslist account. If the timeslot is greyed out, someone else has scheduled an ad in that spot! 

Can I schedule the same ad in more than one time slot? 

No, you need to create a new ad for each time slot. This is because Craigslist will start to flag and delete your ads from the listings page if you post the exact same ad more than once. For more info: Craigslist flagging

Can I use the Post Now option? 

Yes, if you'd like to post the ad to Craigslist right away, you can select the "Post this ad immediately" option at the end of the Ad Preview instead of scheduling. If you're using this option, be careful not to overpost! 

My scheduled posts are failing. 

Make sure PostEngine for Desktop is left running on your computer throughout the day so that the program can post your scheduled ads. If you are leaving it running and posts are still failing, please reach out to us at help@rooof.com.