In today's digital content landscape, streamlining the approval process is essential for maintaining quality and efficiency. Combining Make (formerly Integromat) with Google Drive offers a powerful way to automate content approval workflows, saving time and reducing errors.

Understanding the Tools

Make is an automation platform that connects various apps and services, enabling seamless workflows without coding. Google Drive is a widely used cloud storage service that allows file sharing and collaboration. Integrating these tools creates a dynamic system for managing content approval processes.

Designing the Workflow

The goal is to automate the process where content is uploaded, reviewed, and approved, with notifications sent at each stage. The workflow involves:

  • Content creator uploads a draft to Google Drive
  • Make detects the new file and notifies reviewers
  • Reviewers approve or request changes
  • Final approval triggers publishing or further editing

Step 1: Setting Up Google Drive

Create a dedicated folder in Google Drive for drafts. Share this folder with your team, assigning appropriate permissions. This folder will serve as the trigger point for your automation.

Step 2: Connecting Make to Google Drive

In Make, create a new scenario. Add the Google Drive module and set it to watch for new files in your designated folder. This step ensures that any new draft automatically initiates the workflow.

Step 3: Sending Notifications to Reviewers

Next, add an email module in Make to notify reviewers when a new file is uploaded. Include links to the document and instructions for review. You can also set up Slack notifications if preferred.

Step 4: Handling Reviewer Feedback

Reviewers can update the document or add comments directly in Google Drive. To automate feedback collection, consider using Google Forms linked to the document or setting up email responses that trigger further actions in Make.

Step 5: Final Approval and Publishing

Once content is approved, set Make to move the file to a 'Published' folder or trigger a publishing process via your CMS. Notifications can be sent to confirm the publication.

Benefits of This Workflow

Implementing a content approval workflow with Make and Google Drive offers several advantages:

  • Automates repetitive tasks, saving time
  • Ensures consistent review procedures
  • Provides clear notifications and accountability
  • Facilitates collaboration among team members

Conclusion

Creating a content approval workflow with Make and Google Drive streamlines your publishing process, reduces errors, and enhances team collaboration. By automating notifications and file management, your team can focus more on creating quality content and less on administrative tasks.