Zapier for Writers: Save 15+ Hours Per Week
What is Zapier?
Zapier connects your favorite apps (Google Docs, WordPress, Notion, etc.) without any coding. It automates repetitive tasks through "Zaps" - simple workflows that trigger actions.
For freelance writers, this means:
- Auto-publish blog posts from Google Docs to WordPress
- Save research articles directly to Notion
- Send client invoices and payment reminders automatically
- Back up your writing to Google Drive daily
- Post to social media on a schedule
My 10 Best Automations
1. Google Docs → WordPress (Auto-Publish)
Time saved: 2 hours/week
When you move a Google Doc to a "Published" folder, Zapier automatically publishes it to your WordPress blog with proper formatting.
2. Twitter Mentions → Notion
Time saved: 1 hour/week
Every mention on Twitter auto-saves to your Notion CRM with date, link, and follower count.
3. Client Inquiries → Spreadsheet
Time saved: 0.5 hours/week
Contact form submissions auto-log to a Google Sheet: name, email, project, date.
4. Invoice → Auto-Reminders
Time saved: 2 hours/week
When you create an invoice in Stripe, Zapier automatically sends it and reminder emails (3 days, 7 days, past due).
5. Weekly Digest → Newsletter
Time saved: 1.5 hours/week
Every Monday, Zapier pulls your latest articles and auto-sends them as a newsletter digest.
6. Podcast Upload → Notion Log
Time saved: 0.5 hours/week
New podcast uploads auto-log to Notion with title, date, and link.
7. Slack Messages → Time Tracking Sheet
Time saved: 1 hour/week
Messages in your #work channel auto-log to a spreadsheet for time tracking.
8. Form Signups → Email List
Time saved: 0.5 hours/week
Website form submissions auto-add to your Mailchimp or email platform.
9. Notion Tasks → Google Calendar
Time saved: 1 hour/week
New tasks in Notion auto-create calendar events on your Google Calendar.
10. Daily Backup
Time saved: Peace of mind
Every night at midnight, Zapier backs up important documents to Google Drive.
Total Time Saved
| Automation | Hours/Week |
|---|---|
| Google Docs → WordPress | 2 |
| Twitter → Notion | 1 |
| Client Inquiries | 0.5 |
| Invoice Reminders | 2 |
| Weekly Digest | 1.5 |
| Podcast Logging | 0.5 |
| Slack → Spreadsheet | 1 |
| Form → Email List | 0.5 |
| Notion → Calendar | 1 |
| Daily Backups | 0.5 |
| TOTAL | 10+ hours/week |
Ready to Automate Your Writing?
Start with Zapier's free plan (no credit card needed)
Start Free Trial →Getting Started
- Sign up for free at Zapier (no credit card needed)
- Start with ONE automation (Google Docs → WordPress is easiest)
- Follow Zapier's templates - most take 5-10 minutes
- Test before going live
- Add more automations weekly
FAQ
Q: How much does Zapier cost?
A: Free tier is sufficient for most writers (100 zap runs/month). Paid plans start at $29/month for more automations.
Q: Is Zapier hard to set up?
A: No. Zapier has templates for common workflows. Most take 5-10 minutes to set up.
Q: What if a Zap breaks?
A: Zapier sends email alerts. Fix usually takes 2 minutes.