Running a podcast can be a lot of work. Research, guests, recording, editing, creating artwork, publishing, promoting, and more - there's a lot of spinning wheels!
With Captivate's integration with Zapier, though, you can automate some of this process. Questions about Zapier and Captivate? We got you covered!
So what is Zapier?
Think of Zapier as your robot friend to help you automate some of your podcasting workflow. From automatically uploading episodes to sending emails to your subscribers when a new episode is published, Zapier helps you do this.
So Zapier is an editing tool for podcasts?
No, but it will help you published upload your edited episodes ready for publication. All you need is a free Zapier account, and connect it to your Captivate account.
Okay, so it's like a robot that helps me with my show. How does it do this?
When you create an account at Zapier, you connect your Zapier account with Captivate. You then create a "Zap", which is simply an automated workflow for passing information between your connected apps - in this case, Captivate and Zapier. Once you've created your Zap, you can then create Triggers for it.
Triggers? Sounds complicated - what's a Trigger?
Think of a trigger as something that happens as a result of something else taking place first. So, when someone completes an action to start the Zap you've created, a Trigger will start the process to do that.
What kind of Zaps can I create?
You can either use already published Zaps, or create your own (as long as the workflow is supported by the apps you're using). So, for example:
You connect Google Drive or Dropbox folder for your episode
You create a Zap to automatically upload an audio file to Captivate
When you edit an episode and upload to that folder, a Trigger automatically collects the mp3 file and uploads it to Captivate
Once you format and publish that episode, this Triggers another Zap that will send an email to your newsletter subscribers to advise an episode has been created, or post an update to your social media accounts
There are a variety of Zaps you can create to make your podcasting flow more automated, and we'll be adding our own Zaps for you to use too!
What's a single-step Zap?
Depending on your Zapier account, you can create Zaps that have either a single-step, or multiple-steps. So, for using the example above with regards to what kind of Zaps you can create, a single-step Zap would be uploading your audio file from Google Drive or Dropbox to Captivate.
A multiple-step Zap would be uploading your file, then sending an email when published, then posting to your social media accounts, then creating an analytics report for that episode.
When do the triggers happen?
As soon as the condition is met. So if you have an Episode Status trigger set to activate on ‘Published’, then as soon as one of your Episodes is published, it will activate whatever Zapier Actions that are connected to it. If you want to add a delay, or run it on a schedule Zapier provides some basic Triggers and Actions that can enable this. Check out some of our examples for some ideas!
Can I create my own Zaps and share them?
Indeed you can! In fact, if you create a really cool Zap, we'd love for your to share it in our exclusive Rebel Base Media Podcaster Support and Experience Facebook group for Captivate users!
How much does Zapier cost?
You can start a free account with Zapier, and that allows for 5 Zaps with a single step for each Zap. There are also premium plans for more Zaps, features, users, etc. You can find out more on the Zapier pricing page.
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