? This is the first in a series of tutorials on “Automating No-Code Tools”, similar to the one published.
This is a series of teaching and knowledge content for non-engineers to share by re-editing and organizing my scattered learning notes on “automation technology”, with n8n as the primary and Zapier as the secondary.
The series will continue to be updated through 2025, and new articles will gradually be summarized in this article.
The purpose of writing this is to urge myself to take a little time each day to play and study automated workflows.
If I had seen this series a year ago, it would have saved me dozens of hours of time to get up to speed, understand the underlying logic, and master the “The Risks of Being an Elderly Man”.The Magic of Modern Workers” – Automate workflows and even integrate AI to achieve results with less work and more productivity.
Hou Zhi Xun (Raymond) wrote on 2024.11.24 01:05
Mastering No-Code Tools + Automated Workflows = Modern Day Magic
If 3D printing is the “democratization of the production process”1The No-Code tool is a tool that allows people who don’t have a programming background to “build a set of apps according to their needs”.
Whether it’s a team project management, knowledge management system, or subscription service payment reminder and tracking system …….
In all of these cases, I usedNotionPracticed it. That’s right, Notion is a No-Code tool that can be quickly customized to design individual or team applications. Unlike in the past, when you have to find a professional development team, the initial cost is high, and when you want to add or remove features later on, you need additional development time and cost.
n8n Left: Notion buildsSubscription Management System｜Right: Automated AI Response to Collaborative Solicitation Letter Workflow
However, in the 2 years since the launch of ChatGPT, automation tools that used to be complicated and overwhelming for the average person are getting better and better.
“You can configure a “work assistant that can do things by itself” by simply asking questions.
If you’re a longtime reader, you’ll know that what I mean by “productivity upgrade” is not blindly using a bunch of tools, but rather how to utilize them to help us cut down on meaningless chores and free up our time to focus on, and enjoy, the work that’s really worthwhile.
“AI doesn’t eliminate people, it just eliminates those who don’t think about how to use it.
If you want AI to become a real assistant, not just a robot that can chat, learn No-Code and automation tools, help it build “two hands”, connect AI to various APPs you use every day, and automate your simple, repetitive and annoying tasks.
Are you ready? Get started now ⬇️
⚙️ 底層邏輯：if this then that
I started using automation when I started taking cases as a freelancer in 2015.
At that time, IFTTT was the main service used, and the name of the service was the “underlying logic” of the automation tool:
When application A has done “Task 1”, then “Task 2” of application B is executed.
You can replace A and B apps with your daily apps, such as Notion, Google Sheet, Gmail; and tasks with: updating a certain status of the database, inputting data to a certain field, sending a letter to so-and-so ……, and so on.
That is to say, when you can clarify your own work and draw a flowchart, you will more or less be able to find out that there are certain things that you don’t need to do at all, and let the tool do it on its own. For example, the screenshot below shows that when you receive a response to a Notion Form, a notification will only be sent to your team’s Discord channel if the form has “Project Task Management Requirements” checked:
Zapier Simple Automation Case? Simply calculate together how many hours of work automation will save you!
First of all, could you please do some simple math on how much time we spend on “simple, repetitive tasks” a day?
Example:
- Customer letters or questionnaires → manually organize the contents and record them in the customer database.
- Re-adjusting the status of user data in Excel
- Open Google Doc to create minutes
- Daily repetitive tasks such as sending messages and documents to the company’s LINE group …….
With the automated workflow I’m currently running, it’s about 6,000 Tasks a month (automated email replies, order analysis, customer database import, e-newsletter subscription, reading compilation ……, etc.), which saves me an average of 90 ~ 120 minutes of work time per day.
※ In 90 minutes, by configuring the automated workflows，I’m saving 540 hours a year.。
Even more, not just in terms of time saved, but because we’ve handed over the irritating, tedious tasks to tools that allow theWe are less stressed and can do our work and life “enjoying and styling”.。
❌ Work hard → ✅ Work Smart
If you used to rely on “hard work and diligence” to get things done faster, from now on, you need to think about “how to make these repetitive and unfulfilling tasks automatically disposed of”, so that you can put your energy and time into things that are really worthwhile and truly enjoyable.
Your goal for the year and mine should be to start practicing “How to minimize workload & increase performance and happiness“I wrote this series of teaching articles to record my learning output and to push myself to continue researching & practicing.
Image Source:NoTime NoCode? When you learn the automation tools, the initial configuration usually takes only 2 hours!2This can save you 250-500 hours a year, and if you would otherwise need to hire someone to do this, it can be a direct savings in personnel costs!
What are the work situations that are appropriate and need to be automated?
(? This section will be the subject of a future article dedicated to development, with specific practical examples)
- Repetitive, mindless tasks: data scraping, copy and paste; data and data migration across digital tools.
- Performs fairly routine tasks: sending mail with redemption codes, archiving and backing up files, responding to partnership invitations.
- Time-consuming, lengthy tasks: administrative processes such as leave, write-offs, analyzing monthly income and expense statements
What are the No-Code automated tools and which one is more suitable for you, Zapier, n8n or Make?
The most familiar automated chemicals today areZapier、Make、n8nThe terminology is slightly different in the interface, but the essence is the same.
Source:
In my latestIntroduction to Automation ToolsThe application scenarios of these three tools are analyzed in detail in the following section
- If you’re new to automation and want to try it out first, you can sign up & try it out!Zapier3。
- Zapier is a well-established platform with over 6,000 “packaged” apps, making it the easiest platform to get started.
- If the amount of automation is large, or if a more flexible and free configuration is required, it is recommended to use theMake.com& Deploymentn8n。
- The advantage of Make and n8n is the whiteboard workspace, which can integrate multiple Zaps on the same page without having to open a bunch of them on separate pages, and can be exported for download & imported into other people’s designed workflows (template free).
- To summarize, my current setup: “Zapier quick setup for simple, low volume” & “n8n for complex, high volume, free”.
- Because n8n can do everything Make can do, with more flexibility and functionality.
※ Packaging means the platform has already been set up for you, you only need to log in to the authorized APP, there is no need to set up additional API manually.
Most of the creators on the web push Make because it’s easier to set up and there is affiliate marketing to share the profits, and it must be said that Make is very smart and successful in its business strategy.
(? This section will be the subject of a future post dedicated to how to get unlimited traffic with the n8n self-deployment tutorial)
How to start building your first automated workflow?
? My last class of 2024.Live Classes（It’s officially online, you can learn it now!Inside, there are resources that directly demonstrate, deconstruct & provide template samples for various automation applications, as well as a resource for mySelf-made “Automation Tools AI Assistant Teacher” Robot GPTsIt’s a great place to ask questions about Zapier, Make, and n8n, and you should be able to get answers to more than 80% of your questions!
There’s even an after-school community, so if you run into automation problems, you can ask questions directly and we’ll exchange solutions together. ??
Regardless of what kind of APPs you use in your daily life, or if you are a novice or have already started to step into automated applications, this class will let you see a different world.
Automation Tools Application Library (Continuously Updated)
My own automation tool, AI Assistant Teacher.
? This is what you’ll learn when you join the “Automation Tools, A Complete Application Guide Teaching” course
- ✅ Understand the underlying logic of No-Code automation tools: how to choose which tasks, are suitable for automation?
- ✅ Choosing the right tool: Mastering the interface features and selection strategies of Zapier, Make, n8n & n8n Deployment Tutorials
- ✅ Mastering the operation and core functions of Zapier: a case study to deconstruct the interface, key functions and operating logic of the automation tool
- ✅ Build Your First Automation Workflow: Design Your Own Automation Process From Scratch
- ✅ Automation Use Case Deconstruction: Hands-on Live Build Automation Workflow from 0 to 1 and Integrate AI Applications
- ✅ Take an in-depth look at personal and business automation cases and join the after-school community to enjoy continually updated supplemental resources!
? As is the old custom, this lesson is related to myOther CoursesI will also be able to join the after-school community to discuss with other students.Continuing supplemental instruction, the sooner you buy, the more benefits you’ll receive!
??♂️ Tips from students who have taken the courseRating
- Thank you Ramon for using the entry point angle for the viewer who has been trying to step in andThere are more practical cases to refer to, especially after hearing that physical workshops may be organized in the future, with course contents and practical groups to catalyze our learning.We are able to automate our processes and make them truly our own!
- I can really feel that you are very attentive in the preparation, and the supplementary information is also very rich, very super value for money!Now, after finishing the class, I feel like watching Ramon’s demonstration of very powerful and dazzling magic, and I want to learn every move, but the biggest lesson is to think about what situations are suitable for me to use it.
- Being a total automation nerd before class doesn’t hinder the reception of new knowledge.Although I hadn’t touched Zapier or n8n before the course, the content was really good! Lots of life-like applications, push push push.In the past, when I was interested in this kind of new information, I would think “the process should be complicated” and just give up on receiving new information. After listening to it today, I think I can give it a try, but I’m not sure.The most rewarding part is to start to see “what processes have the opportunity to be automated”!。
Thank you to these students for sharing and recommending the class. Together, we can make this class seen by more people who need it, as well as make more people work smarter and free up their time!
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- Shared in Ramon Weekly, Issue 143.A movie.In the past, when we wanted to make things, we had to make molds, so we had to make a large number of things before the cost could be amortized; now through 3D printing machines, we can print out all kinds of weird and wacky things and souvenirs that we need to personalize ourselves.↩︎
- The actual time depends on each individual’s situation and the size of the task.↩︎
- Zapier can be tried for free for 14 days, after which it will drop back to the free version with a simple quota; if you find it really helpful, you can evaluate the least amount of programs to help you save time, and whether it’s worth USD19.99.↩︎