What Are Automations? (“Just The Basics”)

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Automation Overview

Automation is a process of setting up tools to complete repetitive tasks or workflows with minimal human intervention.
Automations can range from simple tasks (e.g., copying data from one app to another) to complex workflows (e.g., gathering leads from multiple sources and organizing them into a CRM).
Tools like Make.com, Zapier, and others make it possible to create automations without coding skills, though advanced automations often require more customization.

Time-Saving: Automations handle repetitive tasks, freeing up your time for higher-value work.
Consistency: Automations complete tasks the same way each time, reducing human error and ensuring reliable results.
Scalability: Automations enable you to handle larger volumes of work without requiring additional hands-on effort. You invest time up front into building it, and then it serves you forever with minimal maintenance. (Ideally, anyway)

I’ve used Zapier for years and was initially partial to it over Make.com, but for the purposes of $200KF, Make is a much better fit.

Zapier: Ideal for simple automations, especially those triggered by API events or basic app integrations.
- Example: “Add a new person to my Notion database when they buy an Accelerator membership in Thrivecart.”
- Best for straightforward workflows and API-triggered actions.
Make.com: Designed for more complex automations with multi-step workflows and looping capabilities, making it better suited for list-building and detailed data processing. Also MUCH better for single-run, “click a button to trigger this thing for every record in a google sheet” style automations. (Which is most of what list-building automations are)
- Example: “Click a button to iterate through my Google Sheet and perform complex actions for each item.”
- Preferred for extensive list-building automations where you need multiple steps and more control.

Triggers: The starting point of an automation, e.g., when a new email arrives, or a new entry is added to a spreadsheet, or you click the “start” button.
Actions: The tasks performed after the trigger, e.g., saving an email attachment to Google Drive or adding spreadsheet data to a CRM.
Data Flow: Automations transfer data from one app to another or within the same app, which is useful for syncing information across tools. e.g. “send data from my spreadsheet to a ChatGPT prompt to have Chap give me his take on this lead”
Loops & Iterators: Techniques that allow the automation to repeat actions for multiple items, like processing a list of leads one by one. e.g. “fire this ChatGPT prompt for every single lead, except with the website url changed for each”

Identify the Workflow: Determine a task or series of tasks that are repetitive and could be automated.
Choose a Tool: Select an automation platform (like Make.com or Zapier) that suits the complexity and requirements of your workflow. (All $200KF automation templates will be in Make.com)
Set Up a Trigger: Define the starting point of the automation, e.g., a new row in Google Sheets, a specific time interval, or you clicking the start button.
Add Actions: Outline each step the automation should perform, like transferring data, sending an email, or creating a record.
Test the Automation: Run the setup to make sure it works as expected, checking for any errors or missed steps.
Optimize and Monitor: Once running, review the automation periodically to ensure it’s functioning correctly and adjust for any changes in apps or processes.