How to easily automate your tasks using Zapier
Step-by-step tutorial + Zapier overview
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Welcome to the wonderful world of Zapier!
What is Zapier?
Zapier is the leading “no-code” automation platform, and has helped over 2 million people scale their businesses by easily automating their processes. It’s like a marriage counselor for your software — it improves the relationship and communication between Platform X and Platform Y to make your life easier.
And it’s free! (For up to 5 Zaps, which is more than enough for most people.) Click here to sign up.
Will Zapier work for me?
Are there any tasks you forget to do, or hate doing manually? It’s likely you could use Zapier to help you.
What should I automate first?
Think about your least favorite part of your job. Then think about the least favorite part of that least favorite part. Start there.
💡 Type C Tip: Set a 3-minute timer and make a list of all the tasks you hate doing. This is the start of your “Things to Automate” wishlist. You may not be able to make all your wishes come true (unfortunately Zapier hasn’t figured out how to go to the post office for me). But this is a good start.
Words to know
Zapier is the name of the platform we’ll be using.
And a ‘Zap’ is what we call a single automation.
An App is a platform outside of Zapier, like Instagram or Gmail, that can be connected to your Zapier account in order to create a Zap.
Tasks are the actual runs of each Zap. So, if you have a Zap that creates a new spreadsheet item every time someone fills out the contact form on your website, each new item created equals one task.
How do I know if Zapier can do what I need it to?
The easiest way to answer this question is to type the task into Google, followed by the word ‘Zapier.’ For example, “uploading IG photos to Google Drive Zapier” and seeing what pops up.
You can also look at their Explore page here.
How do I build a Zap?
I built a walkthrough for you using the auto-SOP app Tango (It’s free — 10/10 recommend!!). You can view it here.
For context, the Zap I build in this tutorial is one that will automatically move new business inquires I get via email into the Sales Pipeline database I built in Notion. Normally, I’d have to copy and paste all of their information into the database manually. But with Zapier I don’t have to! I just add the “Inquiries” label to the email and Zapier takes care of the rest.
Here are some of my other favorite Zaps:
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My name is Andrea (On-Dray-Uh) Reeves (she/her), I’m the founder and systems strategist behind Type C Creative.
I’m a biracial, Black, aroace woman with ADHD and OCD. I’m an unapologetically atypical human who runs my own business on vibes, values, and good systems that meet me where I am.
I work with fellow neurodivergent, queer, and creative solopreneurs who are ready to find simpler, more compassionate and intuitive ways of running their businesses.