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Workshop Resource: Building Automations and Agentic Workflow

MAIEW Module 6: Automation Build Lab

Goal: Provision a resilient “Speed-to-Lead” engine for your agency.

1. The Source of Truth

Before building, you must establish your database. Use the template below to track leads, timestamps, and escalation logs.

👉 Access the MAIEW Google Sheet Template

  • Action: Click File > Make a Copy.
  • Note: You must be the owner of the sheet for n8n to have write access via OAuth.

2. The Pre-Flight Checklist

Do not move your automation to “Active” until these four boxes are checked.

  • ☑ Automation First Draft Built: The D.R.I.V.E. prompt has been provisioned into the n8n canvas.
  • [ ] All Sources Connected: Authentication is green for both Google Sheets and Slack.
  • [ ] Data Trail Traceable: The Slack_ts is mapped to write back to Column I upon success.
  • [ ] Logic Paths Wired: The “Hanging Wire” on the Slack Error Port is connected to the Escalation Email node.

3. Connecting Your Agency Pipes (OAuth & APIs)

Google Sheets Connection

  1. Select Node: Click the “Google Sheets Trigger” node.
  2. Credential: Click ‘Create New Credential’.
  3. Auth Type: Select OAuth 2.0.
  4. Action: Click ‘Sign in with Google’. Select your agency account and grant permissions to “See, edit, create, and delete all your Google Sheets.”
  5. Map: Select your copied “MAIEW Leads” spreadsheet from the dropdown.

Slack Connection

  1. Select Node: Click the “Slack” node.
  2. Credential: Click ‘Create New Credential’.
  3. Auth Type: Select OAuth 2.0.
  4. Action: Grant n8n access to your Slack Workspace.
  5. Target: * Create a private channel in Slack named #sales-leads.
  • In n8n, select #sales-leads from the channel list.
  • Note: If the channel doesn’t appear, invite the n8n app to that channel by typing /invite @n8n in Slack.

4. The “Safety Net” Wiring (Escalation)

Your automation currently has a Hanging Wire. It will fail silently unless you complete the final mile:

  1. Locate the Slack Node.
  2. Identify the Red Circle (Error Port) on the right side of the node.
  3. Click and Drag the wire from that Red Circle to the ‘Log Slack Error’ node.
  4. Verify the connection is solid.

This ensures that if the Slack API is down, your VP of Client Development is notified via the Escalation Email node immediately.

5. Technical Reference

The “Digital Receipt” Timestamp:

To record the exact moment a lead was notified, use this expression in the “Mark as Notified” node:

{{ $now.toISO() }}