Workflow Automation Software and Zapier
Workflow automation is defined as a series of automated processes that a business implements to carry out everyday tasks. Software tools, such as Zapier, help in automating some of these tasks. If used correctly, workflow automation software can make a business much more efficient.
During this past week, I learned the ins-and-outs of Zapier. This tool allows you to integrate thousands of different SaaS tools, and automate workflows between them. These workflows, known as “zaps”, can merge anything from Slack and Microsoft Teams to Salesforce and Hubspot.
If this sounds a little confusing, don’t worry. I’m going to break down ways to automate your workflow with Zapier so simply that anyone will understand it. Additionally, you can check out my Zapier tutorial video.
What’s in a Zap?
A “zap” is the process you create when you automate workflow with Zapier. You start creating one by selecting a “trigger event” that will set your zap off and then choose what happens when this trigger event happens. Here’s an example:
Let’s say you want to Slack DM yourself every time you get a new email. This would be integrating Slack and Gmail. You would tell Zapier to look at Gmail, and select the trigger event of “receive new email.” Then select the next platform, Slack, and tell Zapier to DM yourself on Slack every time you receive a new email.
Other Workflow Automations with Zapier
Keep in mind, Zapier has thousands of different platforms that can be integrated, and even more unique ways to interact with them. These are just a few:
Hunter.io + Google Sheets
Sales reps spend a good portion of time seeking out new leads and their contact info. If they’re using Google Sheets to track these leads, they’re going to need to copy and paste contact info from Hunter.io to Google Sheets each time they find a new lead.
Instead of doing this, use Zapier to save yourself the hassle. Put together a workflow that automatically imports new Hunter.io leads into a Google spreadsheet of your choice.
Zoom + Google Calendar
Zoom is a remote meeting platform that tons of businesses and schools have started to use over the past years. Zapier can be set up to automatically import new Zoom meetings into your Google calendar.
Twitter + Hubspot
If you’re a customer service rep, a big part of your job is managing your company’s PR. Generally, this is done through a CRM like Hubspot.
Over the past decade, it’s become more common for big enterprises to run a Twitter account to build up their brand with the public. Well, you’re not going to want to check your company’s Twitter constantly at work. Instead, set up a zap to help you out.
Tell Zapier to create a new Hubspot ticket for any new Tweet that mentions your company. This way, you’ll know as soon you get a new Tweet, and you can view it from the same platform you interact with all your customers from.
Conclusion
Those are just a select few of thousands, if not millions, of different ways you can use Zapier. If you’re interested in making your company more efficient and automating routine tasks, I’d highly recommend giving Zapier a try.
If you haven’t read my post last week, this is week 2 of a month-long project I’ve created for myself. Next week I’m going to teach myself Airtable, and create a product write-up for them.
