🔄 Everything You Need to Automate Daily Works and Get Them Done with Just 1 Click

Introduction: Why AI Automations Matter?

Today, to the AI Mastermind Challenge League (AMCL) - where we’re helping you master AI step by step, turning complex concepts into simple, actionable tips you can use right away, we’re diving into a game-changer: AI automation. If you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck doing the same boring tasks over and over again, this post is for you.

AI automation is about using technology to handle repetitive tasks for you. Let’s imagine this: you wake up, grab your coffee, and instead of spending your morning sorting emails, scheduling meetings, or following up with customers, it’s all already done. Sounds like a dream, right? That’s the magic of AI automation - it’s like having a reliable assistant working 24/7 without the need for coffee breaks.

Why should you care about AI automations?

1. It saves time:

   • “Remember that time you spent hours copying data from one place to another? AI can do it in seconds.”

   • For example, instead of manually sending follow-up emails to 100 people, an AI tool can send personalized ones for you instantly.

2. It boosts productivity:

   • “Imagine getting twice as much done in the same amount of time—no, you don’t need superpowers, just the right tools!”

   • AI automation lets you focus on big-picture tasks while it handles the small stuff.

3. It reduces mistakes:

   • “Ever sent an email with a typo and wished you could undo it? AI tools don’t get tired or distracted, so errors are far less likely.”

   • For example, they can log data perfectly, every single time.

4. It makes you look professional:

   • Consistency is key, and AI automation ensures things like responses, reports, or posts are timely and polished.

Who is it for?

• If you’re someone who has too much to do and not enough time, this is for you.

• If you run a small business, manage projects, or create content, AI automation is like hiring an assistant without the paycheck.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to make AI automation work for you even if you’re a total beginner. Say goodbye to boring tasks and hello to more free time! Let’s go!

I. What is AI Automation and How It Work (No Jargon!)

Let’s start with the basics: AI automation is like setting up a "helper" that works in the background to take care of repetitive tasks for you. But unlike a human assistant, this helper doesn’t sleep, doesn’t forget, and doesn’t complain!

1. What exactly is AI automation?

It’s using tools powered by artificial intelligence to make tasks happen automatically. You tell the AI what needs to be done, set the rules, and let it run. Instead of doing everything yourself, you tell the system what you want done, and it works in the background, like an invisible assistant.

A funny way to think about it: AI automation is like training a dog to fetch your slippers. Traditional automation is the dog fetching them every time you point at the door. AI automation is the dog learning when you’re about to get up and bringing the slippers before you even ask.

Think of it like this: Imagine you’re running a small café. Every day, customers come in and leave their email addresses on a sign-up sheet for your newsletter. Normally, you’d sit down at the end of the day, type those emails into your list, and send a welcome message to each one. Tedious, right?

With AI automation, here’s what happens instead:

1. You set up a system that notices every time a customer submits their email.

2. The AI automatically adds the email to your newsletter list.

3. The AI sends a pre-written welcome email instantly, without you lifting a finger.

You just set the rules once, and the AI takes over from there.

Why is it called "automation"?

The key word here is automatic. Once the system is in place, it runs on its own. You don’t need to press a button or remember to check in. The AI handles it all, based on the rules you’ve set up. At its core, AI automation is about saving time and effort while getting tasks done faster, smarter, and more consistently.

Everyday examples of AI automation:

1. Automatically sorting emails into folders based on their content.

2. Scheduling social media posts to go live at specific times.

3. Sending personalized birthday discounts to your customers.

2. How does it work?

AI automation works by following a simple process: trigger → action → result. Let’s break it down step by step in plain language so you can picture how it actually operates.

Step 1: Trigger – The Starting Point: The trigger is what kicks off the automation. It’s the “when” or “if” part of the process. Think of it as the spark that tells the AI, “Okay, it’s time to get to work.” The trigger is like a wake-up call for the AI. Until something happens, it’s just sitting there, waiting patiently.

• Example 1: A new email arrives in your inbox.

• Example 2: A customer fills out a form on your website.

• Example 3: It’s 9:00 AM on Monday (time-based trigger).

Step 2: Action – What the AI Does: Once the trigger happens, the AI performs an action. This is the “then” part of the process - what you’ve told it to do next. Examples of actions:

• Replying to an email automatically with a pre-written response.

• Logging customer information into a spreadsheet.

• Sending a “thank you” message to someone who makes a purchase.

AI automation doesn’t stop at one action, it can chain multiple actions together. For example:

1. Receive a customer’s email (trigger).

2. Send a reply (action 1).

3. Add their info to a database (action 2).

4. Schedule a follow-up reminder for later (action 3).

Step 3: Result – The Final Outcome: The result is the end goal, the thing you wanted to accomplish without doing the work yourself. Examples of results:

• Your inbox stays organized without lifting a finger.

• A customer gets a professional, timely response without waiting.

• Data gets sorted and saved, ready for analysis.

In short, the result is the peace of mind that comes from knowing a task is done—and done right—without you having to check in.

II. Zapier vs Make: Which No-Code Platform is Best for Your Business?

Choosing the right no-code automation platform can feel like picking between two amazing desserts, you can’t go wrong, but one might suit your taste better. Zapier and Make are the most popular platforms for automating tasks, and here’s quick overview you need to know to decide which one works best for you.

1. Understand Each Platform

a. Zapier

Zapier is a platform that connects all your favorite apps and makes them work together automatically. Think of it as the “middleman” between apps like Gmail, Slack, Google Sheets, and thousands more - it helps these apps talk to each other without you needing to manually move data or take action.

Zapier operates on a simple workflow system it calls Zaps. Here’s how it works:

1. Trigger: Something happens in one app (e.g., you get a new email).

   

2. Action: Zapier tells another app to do something based on that trigger (e.g., add the email details to a Google Sheet).

   

b. Make.com

Make is a powerful no-code platform designed to connect apps and automate workflows. It’s like building a custom system where multiple apps and tasks work together seamlessly, handling everything from simple automations to complex, multi-step processes.

Make operates on a visual builder interface, which makes it unique compared to most automation tools. Here’s how it works:

• Modules:

  • Apps or services you want to connect (e.g., Gmail, Google Sheets, Slack).

    

  • Each module represents a step in the workflow, such as sending an email or updating a database.

• Triggers:

  • Define the starting point, such as "A new row is added to a spreadsheet" or "A customer places an order."

    

• Actions:

  • Specify what happens next. For example, "Send a confirmation email," "Add the data to a CRM," or "Notify the sales team."

    

• Logic and Conditions:

  • You can set rules to handle different scenarios. For example:

    • If the email contains "urgent," send a Slack notification.

    • If the purchase amount is above $500, notify the manager.

• Flowchart Visualization:

  • Unlike traditional list-based setups, Make lets you see your entire workflow as a visual diagram. You can see how data flows from one step to another, making it easier to manage complex automations.

2. Key Differences Between Zapier and Make

When comparing Zapier and Make.com, the key differences lie in their approach to automation, pricing structure, features, and overall user experience. Let’s break it down in detail so you can clearly see what sets them apart.

3. Which Platform is Right for You?

Choose Zapier if:

• You’re just starting out with automations.

• Your workflows are simple, like sending welcome emails, adding contacts to a CRM, or updating spreadsheets.

• You don’t want to spend much time learning a tool.

Choose Make if:

• You need advanced workflows that involve logic and conditions (e.g., “If X happens, do Y. If not, do Z”).

• You want full control over how data is handled between apps.

• You’re comfortable experimenting with a visual, flowchart-style builder.

Pro Tip: Try Both!

• Both platforms offer free trials or plans.

• Use Zapier for quick wins and simpler tasks, then explore Make for more advanced automations as your needs grow.

III. Step-by-step Guide: Automate a Simple Task with Make

Let’s walk through how to automate a simple task using Make. This guide is beginner-friendly, and you’ll see how easy it is to get started even if you’ve never used an automation tool before.

Scenario: Automatically Add New Email Subscribers to Google Sheets

Here’s what we’ll do:

1. When someone subscribes to your newsletter via a form (Trigger),

2. Make will automatically add their information (email, name, etc.) to a Google Sheet (Action).

This is a common task for business owners, marketers, or anyone building a mailing list.

Step 1: Create a Free Account on Make

Getting started with Make is super simple, and you can try it for free.

• Visit Make.com: Open your browser and go to the website. This is the official site where you’ll create and manage all your automations (called “scenarios” in Make).

• Sign Up for a Free Account: On the homepage, look for the Sign Up button at the top right corner of the page. Click it to start creating your account. You can use your email address to create a new account. Using a Google account can save you time since you won’t have to create and remember a new password.

  

• Explore the Dashboard: Once your account is created and verified, you’ll be taken to the Make dashboard. Here you’ll see a clean interface with options to create your first scenario, tutorials and guides for beginners.

Step 2: Add Your First App (Trigger)

In this step, you’ll set up the trigger—the starting point of your automation. The trigger is what tells Make, “Hey, it’s time to get to work!” This could be something like a new form submission, an email, or a new entry in a database. Let’s go step by step.

• Open Your Scenario Canvas: Once you click "Create a New Scenario" in the dashboard, you’ll be taken to a blank canvas. This is where you’ll build your automation by adding and connecting modules (apps and actions).

  

• Add Your Trigger App: You’ll see a “+” icon. This is where you’ll add your first app, which will act as the trigger for your automation. Click the “+”, and a search bar will appear. Type the name of the app you’re using to collect data or perform the action you want to automate. Examples:

  • Google Forms: If you’re collecting form responses.

    

  • Typeform: If you’re using a sleek online form builder.

  • Gmail: If you want to automate tasks based on incoming emails.
    

• Select the Trigger Module: After selecting your app, you’ll see a list of trigger actions specific to that app. For Google Forms: Select “Watch Responses” to trigger an automation whenever someone fills out a form.

  

• Connect Your Google Account to Make: Click Add Connection when prompted. Approve the connection by granting Make permission to access your app data. Make uses industry-standard encryption to ensure your data is safe. You can revoke access at any time in your app settings.

  

• Set Trigger Settings: Depending on the app, you might need to configure additional settings. If your app has multiple forms, select the one you want to use. For some apps, Make checks for updates at regular intervals. You can set how often this happens (e.g., every 5 minutes, 15 minutes, etc.).

  

⚠ Note: If you don’t know how to configure each module, visit AI Fire community. Use the Search bar to type the module name, and you’ll find everything you need to get started.

Step 3: Add Your Second App (Action)

Now that you’ve set up your trigger in Step 2, it’s time to add your action. The action is what Make does after the trigger happens—it’s the “then” in your workflow. For example, if a new email subscriber (trigger) is added, Make can save their details to a Google Sheet (action).

• Add Your Action Module: On your scenario canvas, click the "+" button next to the trigger module. This opens the module search box, where you’ll choose the app that will perform the action.

• Search for and Select Your Action App: Search for Google Sheets and select it. Choose “Add a Row” to add new data to your spreadsheet.

  

• Authenticate Your Action App: Just like in Step 2, Make will ask you to connect your action app. This step ensures Make can perform tasks on your behalf. If you’ve already connected the app in a previous step, you can simply select the existing connection.
  

• Configure the Action Module: Now it’s time to tell Make exactly what to do with the data. Depending on the app and action, you’ll need to set a few options:

  • Select a File or Location: Choose the spreadsheet and sheet tab where you want the data to be added.

    

  • Map Data from the Trigger: Link the fields from your trigger (Step 2) to the fields in your action. Map the “Email” field from your form to the “Email” column in the spreadsheet. Map the “Name” field to the corresponding column.

    

Step 4: Test Your Automation

Testing your automation is one of the most important steps to ensure everything works as planned. In this step, we’ll test both the trigger (starting point) and the action (what happens next) in your Make scenario.

At the bottom of your scenario canvas, you’ll see the Run Once button. This temporarily activates your scenario, allowing you to simulate the automation with real data. Click “Run Once”:

• Make will start listening for the trigger event (e.g., a new form submission).

• You’ll see a status indicator next to your trigger module that shows whether Make has detected data.

But you need to trigger manually to check. To test the scenario, perform the action in your trigger app. Submit a test form response. Enter fake data like “Test User” and “[email protected].” As you do this, Make will detect the event and show the captured data.

Once the trigger runs, Make will display the data it pulled in from the app. This is your chance to verify that the data matches your expectations. If everything looks good, you’re ready to go!

Check for the Following:

• Are all the fields present? (e.g., name, email, etc.)

• Is the data formatted correctly? (e.g., date formats, capitalization, etc.)

• Does the trigger meet your intended conditions?

If the data looks incorrect or incomplete:

• Double-check your trigger settings in Step 2.

• Ensure the app is connected properly, and the correct form, email, or data source is selected.

If you face any problems, we already have this step-by-step guide on troubleshooting and fixing errors on Make.com scenarios so that your automations run smoothly.

Step 5: Activate Your Scenario

Once your test is successful, click the “On” button to activate the scenario.

From now on, every time someone subscribes, their details will automatically show up in your Google Sheet.

What’s Great About This Workflow?

• Saves Time: No more manual copying and pasting subscriber details.

• Reduces Errors: Automating ensures all data is recorded accurately.

• Scalable: Works for 1 or 1,000 subscribers—just set it up once.

🎁 BONUS SECTION 1: AI Automation for All Kinds of Work:

• How AI Can Explore and Summarize Websites for You: Save Hours and Get Instant Insights on New Products!

• Use AI Automation to Tag, Search, and Repurpose Your Content Without Wasting Time

• Automate LinkedIn Engagement with AI Using Your Own Tone of Voice

• Build a Micro AI SaaS in Hours: Automate Custom Reports with Images and Voice Notes***

• Get Unlimited Free Leads: Build an AI-Powered Google Maps Scraper That Works for You

• 10 AI Automations That Will Supercharge Your Workflow

🎁 BONUS SECTION 2 FOR ADVANCED USERS: AI Automation to Streamline Complex Tasks and Make More Money

• Want to Automate Your Real Estate Marketing? AI Automation Can Do It—For Free!***

• Find and Create Viral Reels for You in Minutes!

• How to Make Money with AI Automation: Earn $1,000 a Day Using Simple Google Tricks – No Special Skills Needed***

• Automating YouTube Comments and Earning Money Online with AI Tools

• Transform Client Info into Insightful Reports with AI Research Automation

• The Simple Guide to Setting Up Automated Calls for Customer Success

Conclusion: Take Your First Step

Congratulations! You’ve just learned the essentials of setting up an automation with Make, and now it’s time to put what you’ve learned into action. Don’t worry about creating the perfect automation from the get-go. Start with a basic task, like:

• Adding form responses to a spreadsheet.

• Sending automated “thank you” emails.

• Notifying your team when a new order comes in.

Once you see how much time and effort even one automation can save, you’ll naturally want to explore more. If you’re wondering what else you can automate, here are some ideas:

• Personal Life: Set reminders, organize files, or track expenses.

• Business Needs: Automate sales follow-ups, manage customer data, or schedule social media posts.

• Team Collaboration: Create workflows to streamline communication and share updates instantly.

Taking the first step is always the hardest, but once you’ve completed your first automation, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. Remember, even the smallest automation can make a big difference. So, go ahead, set up that workflow, and let AI take care of the repetitive stuff while you focus on what really matters. Your time is valuable, use it wisely! See you next time🚀