FastDraft and Zapier

Using FastDraft and Zapier

Zapier is an automation platform that makes connecting the different software products you use easier. Use Zapier to automate repetitive tasks, or to trigger changes in one platform based on new information in another.

Before we get started and build our first "zap" i.e. automation, we first need to configure FastDraft Broadcast service with Zapier.

Configure FastDraft with Zapier

1. Log in to your Zapier account or create a new one. You will need a paid plan with Zapier to make use of Zapier after the trial period.
2. Navigate to "My Apps" in the menu bar.
3. Enter "FastDraft" in the search bar, then select it to start the connection process.
4. Use your credentials to connect your FastDraft account to Zapier.
   1. Your FastDraft account ID can be found within connector settings.
   2. You will also need to create a new API Key and Secret from the API Keys page. At a minimum, you'll need to select Editor Permissions for that API Key. Note that your "Legacy API Key" will not work here. Talk to your account manager to upgrade and get access to Public API keys.
5. Once that's done you can start creating an automation! Use a pre-made Zap or create your own with the Zap Editor. Creating a Zap requires no coding knowledge and you'll be walked step-by-step through the setup.

Create Zaps

A Zap is an automated workflow that connects your apps together. Every Zap consists of a trigger step and one or more action steps. When you publish your Zap, it will run the action steps every time the trigger event occurs.

To create a new Zap, you can use:

• An AI-powered Zap builder
• Pre-built Zap templates
• Blank Zaps

Build Zaps using AI (Beta)

You can describe the workflow you want in plain language and let AI suggest a trigger step and one or more action steps for you. Learn more about using AI to build your Zap.

Beta

The AI-powered Zap builder is a beta feature. It's available for use, but still in active development and may change.

Create Zaps from templates

Zap templates are pre-built Zaps (Zap templates) that already include a trigger and action to get you started. You can find Zap templates on your Dashboard, the Zapier Explore page, the Zapier blog, and individual app pages. You can also create your own templates or use templates created by other Zapiers.

To use a Zap template, click Try It.

Use a blank Zap

You can also create your Zap from scratch. In your Zapier account, hover over the left sidebar menu and click Create a Zap.

Note

If you need to leave the Zap editor at any time, your progress will be saved as a draft. 

1. Add a trigger

First, add a trigger:

1. Choose your trigger app: the Zap will be triggered by an event that occurs in this app.
2. Select your event: this will be the event that occurs in the selected app that triggers the Zap.
3. Select your app account: select or connect the specific app account to use in the Zap trigger.
4. Set up your trigger: set up your trigger options to fit your needs.
5. Test your trigger: test your trigger to see if it pulls in the right data.

Learn more about how to set up your Zap trigger.

2. Add an action

Next, add an action:

1. Choose your action app: the Zap will perform an action in this app when it's triggered.
2. Select your event: this will be the event that the Zap performs in the selected app when it's triggered.
3. Select your app account: select or connect the specific app account to use in the Zap action.
4. Set up your action: set up the data that you want to send over to your action app.
5. Test your action: test your action to see if it's working as expected.

Learn more about setting up your Zap action.

3. (Optional) Add more actions

If you're on a free trial or paid Zapier plan, you can add multiple actions to your Zaps. You can customise your Zap further with any of the following:

• Additional action steps: to add more actions, click the plus icon after a step.
• Search steps: use a search step to find existing data in your apps.
• Filters: add filters to restrict your Zap from running unless certain conditions are met.
• Formatter: add Formatter steps to format data in a Zap, such as editing text or changing a date format.
• Delay: add a delay between Zap steps.
• Paths: add paths to perform different actions in your Zap based on different conditions (Professional plans and above).

Note

• Zaps are limited to 100 steps, including all steps within paths. If you need more than 100 steps, you can separate your Zap into multiple Zaps. You can also use paths, create a lookup table with Formatter, or pick from a list with Formatter.
• During a free trial, only the first 30 steps of a Zap will run.

4. Name your Zap

Next, give your Zap a name so you can easily identify it on your dashboard.

1. In the upper left, click Untitled Zap.
2. Enter a name for your Zap.

5. (Optional) Adjust your Zap advanced settings

You must have a Company plan to change your advanced settings:

• Auto replay override
• Error ratio override
• Flood protection limit
• Polling interval

6. (Optional) Adjust your Zap details

1. In the left sidebar, click the details icon
2. Click the Folder field, then select a folder to store your Zap.
3. Click the Timezone field to select a new timezone for the Zap. All schedules and times for this Zap will be calculated relative to this timezone.
4. Click Create Template to share a template of your Zap.

7. Publish your Zap

After you set up and name your Zap, you're ready to publish it.

In the upper right, click Publish.

Once your Zap is published, Zapier will run your action steps each time your trigger event occurs. You can view a log of all your Zap activity, including all the data that goes in and out of each of your Zap steps, in your Zap History.