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Meet the most important AI tool that no one is talking about – but everyone needs

Stop me if this sounds familiar. π
You’ve got ChatGPT open and working on a project, along with a few more tabs with different AI tools.
One for writing. One for design. One for some automation. And so on.
Each of them promises to save you time, but they never do. Rather than having your time back, you want your sanity back because keeping up with all these tools has left you Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. π₯²
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All this leads to several subscriptions that are milking you dry, a disjointed workflow, and you spend more time managing tools than doing work.
Wouldn’t it be great if everything worked together?
What if I told you there’s a tool that can connect all your AI tools and even your non-AI tools, like Google Sheets, Docs, and pretty much every tool you use, so they talk to each other and work seamlessly? This would allow you to not only get your time back but also help you be more productive, focused, and in control.
Enter Zapier. Yes, that Zapier. πͺ
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Zapier now connects AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Midjourney with everyday apps like Google Sheets, Gmail, and Slack, so your tools work together without you having to babysit them.
In today’s article, I’ll break down how Zapier is quietly becoming the glue that holds the AI chaos together. You’ll learn what it gets right, the one thing I really, really, really don’t like, and practical ways to use it in your workflow starting today.
If you’re new to my work, my name is Les. I’m a founder and award-winning performance marketer, now focused on helping everyday people make sense of the chaos around AI that’s changing everything. π₯΄
If you like unique marketing insights and want to stay up to date with practical ways to use AI, check out my free newsletter, No Fluff Just Facts.I break down what’s working in marketing and the AI tools worth paying attention to.
But enough about me. Let’s talk about why Zapier might be the most important AI product no one is talking about.
How Zapier connects your workflow
It’s easy to get lost in the sauce of AI tools. Trust me, I get it. They spawn faster than fruit flies. Some are useful, but the bigger problem is that they don’t work together.
As AI continues to evolve, having an integrated workflow isn’t just a nice feature but a necessity.
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That’s why I’m a fan of Zapier. π
Instead of copy-pasting and bouncing from one tab to the next, downloading and uploading files, Zapier lets you build automated workflows that do the work for you with no code required.
Zapier works by setting up “Zaps,” which are simple rules you create to automate tasks. Each Zap has a trigger, like a new lead, and an action, like sending a message or generating a reply using ChatGPT. You stack these triggers and actions to create workflows across multiple tools automatically.
Think, IFTTT (If This Then That) π―
Here’s a practical example of how it all works together.
Sales is a big part of any business. Getting leads and responding to them promptly is the difference between closing your doors forever or shopping for Lambos.
The challenge is that even though it’s important, it doesn’t always get done the way it should. Enter Zapier.
- Step 1: Your marketing efforts pay off, and leads go into your CRM or Google Sheets.
- Step 2: Zapier spots you have a new lead and sends the details to ChatGPT.
- Step 3: ChatGPT crafts a personalized cold email using your collected data.
- Step 4: Zapier automatically saves the message as a draft in Gmail, ready for you to review and send, or it can send it for you.
My friend, this isn’t a theory. You can do this right now.
Here’s why it matters. β οΈ
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In that one workflow, you connected AI tools like ChatGPT with non-AI tools like Google Sheets and Gmail and didn’t have to touch a thing.
This is a game changer because it gives everyday operators the power to automate high-impact work.
- No devs
- No code
- No jumping back and forth between apps
10 practical ways to use Zapier in your workflow
This is one of the rare cases where the limitation isn’t the software itself but your imagination.
That’s because Zapier automates over 8,000 apps in millions of ways. π€―
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Here are 10 practical ways to integrate AI and your other tools into one cohesive workflow.
- Add new leads from forms or ads straight to your list so no one slips through the cracks.
- Automatically save email attachments to the cloud so you’re not digging through your inbox later.
- Post new content to your socials without lifting a finger to connect with your audience.
- Send appointment reminders and update your calendar so you never miss a meeting.
- Send welcome or follow-up messages after someone signs up or buys something, so they feel valued.
- Create and send invoices when a sale is made so you get paid faster.
- Track expenses from emails so you always know where your money goes.
- Send notifications to your team for new support tickets or sales so everyone stays informed.
- Add tasks from emails or forms to your to-do list so you never forget what to do.
- Send out-of-office replies when you’re unavailable so people know when to expect a response.
These are just a few ideas, but the best automation really depends on your specific workflow and the tools you use. You can always ask ChatGPT for suggestions on what to connect and automate. It’s a great way to get personalized ideas for your needs. π
The one thing I really, really, really don’t like
I’ll give Zapier credit. It’s one of the most useful tools in the AI space right now. But there’s one thing I really don’t like.
Its pricing model can be frustrating. Costs can escalate quickly since Zapier bills you per Zap (i.e., task). What starts as a handful of simple automations can quickly become a surprisingly large monthly bill.
And this isn’t just me being cheap. Many users online say the same thing: Zapier’s pricing can jump fast, and it’s not always friendly for small businesses or anyone running a lot of automations. Some have reported price hikes of 400% or more, with task limits dropping at the same time. π€§
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To its credit, Zapier remains best in class for reliability and features. But you need to be mindful of the automations you run and do a quick cost analysis to make sure it’s worth it.
Remember, never use Zapier when a direct integration is available and meets your needs.
My two cents
Zapier is undeniably powerful and, for many, a gateway to automation without code. It’s easy to start, reliable, and connects almost any tool you use.
While Zapier is powerful, you still have to “do the work.” Automation can save you time and cut out the busywork, but it won’t replace creativity, strategy, discipline, etc. π
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My other recommendation? Keep your tech stack simple. Don’t let it get so minimal it holds you back, but don’t end up with several tools that do the same thing. Streamline, automate, and focus on what moves you forward.
π Hope this helps. I’m rooting for you.
P.S. If you want more easy and helpful AI tips and marketing insights, sign up for my free newsletter, No Fluff Just Facts.
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