Some big news dropped here today from Zapier as they announced they are unveiling Multi-Step Zaps. This addition really can be a game changer for users of Zapier (as users ourselves we are excited for this new power feature).
Here’s a highlight on the announcement:
Starting now, Zaps don’t stop at two steps. They can expand to four steps, or 14 steps, or more. You can string all of your apps together so they work in harmony. And with each connection, you’ll save more time, get more done, and wield more power…
… Here’s the gist: Multi-Step Zaps let you chain as many Actions as you want to a single Trigger. You’re no longer limited to one-to-one connections. Now you can automate complete workflows—3 steps, 5 steps, 20 steps—with one Zap.
This is a feature that any Zapier power user or user of a similar service have really wanted.
The ability to essentially create a chain of events from one event. Being able to update your email provider, add a line to a spreadsheet, notify slack, create a Trello board from one single action. For instance, this type of multi-zap could fire when some become a customer- this one simple addition makes Zapier that much more powerful.
This brings us closer to the world as it currently exists — the seamless connection of single point solutions.
The All in One Solution Doesn’t Exist
During a recent meeting one of our clients asked me what all in one marketing solution we recommend. My answer was simple- none.
There has not been an all-in-one marketing solution we have used, demo’d or looked at that does not seem to make things more confusing or cumbersome in our business. We resolved long ago that we would focus on using single point solutions- that is services/products that do one of two things best.
For instance, we use ActiveCampaign for our email and marketing automation. Sure they have a CRM element but we tried the system for a bit and found it simply wasn’t a fit for what we wanted.
This challenge is familiar to anybody marketing in today’s environment. How do I get the data (email address, name, etc). from my email provider to my chosen CRM system?
Here is where platforms like Zapier shined. But what if you wanted to create a chain of events based on one action?
For instance we have one solution for email, a CRM system, a membership site plugin, licensing system, and on and on. All of these individual solutions do a good job in their primary role. It’s when you want to connect these system where you fall into the trap of looking for a “all in one” solution.
This is where we use a combination of Zaps from Zapier and our own customized API solutions. But this solution was still cumbersome.
Single Point Solutions Become More Viable
With the addition of chaining or multi-zaps it means you can confidently use single point solutions and ensure our data is where we want it.
That’s the promise anyway especially with these details:
Multi-Step Zaps work like waterfalls: all the data flows down.
You can even mix-and-match data from multiple apps to pass all the essentials to a dedicated hub, like routing all customer information from emails and forms into your CRM or tracking spreadsheet.
Cross the Streams: Route Updates to Multiple Platforms
Pass your data to every app in a workflow with one fell swoop. If you’re using multiple to-do, cloud storage, CRM or sales apps, you can update all of them with a single Trigger. We even support multiple accounts for the same app.
The ability to stream data to different end points is powerful and one that has been needed in today’s modern digital marketing environment.
I’ll end with one thought.
When we resolved that we would not be able to find a “all-in-one” solution for our marketing needs it actually gave us a freeing feeling. We then focused on choosing the best solutions for a single challenge or workflow. Sure this opened up additional issues and frustrations but ultimately it allows us to focus on what is important. Creating, marketing, supporting and running our business.
Then our focus was how do we connect these systems so that we have a full picture of our customer or potential customer? We always used Zapier to play this role and the addition with multi-step zaps makes this a single point solution setup not only viable but the preferred way to structure your marketing and customer data.
If you’re struggling to find a true marketing/customer/CRM solution I’d suggest resolving that a single point mindset is the way to go. It’s done wonders for our marketing and focus.
