Steps to build a Reddit-to-customer pipeline
This resource is based on The automated Reddit workflow that replaced thousands in ad spend, featuring Piers Fawkes of PFSK and Service Buddy, published on the AI Lab by ActiveCampaign.
Get the checklist
By the end of this checklist, you’ll have a working Reddit monitoring system that surfaces high-intent prospects and drafts personalized responses for you to review. It’s based on the workflow Piers Fawkes built at Service Buddy to replace thousands in ad spend with targeted community engagement. Read the full story here.
Before you start
- Create a Zapier account: you’ll need a plan that supports multi-step Zaps with ChatGPT integration
- Create a Feedly account: used to track Reddit keyword feeds via RSS
- Set up ChatGPT access in Zapier: connect your OpenAI account through Zapier’s ChatGPT integration
- Identify your target subreddits and keywords: list the communities where your potential customers ask questions relevant to your product
The workflow
Phase 1: Set up Reddit monitoring
After this phase, you’ll have: a live RSS feed that captures new Reddit posts matching your target keywords
- Open Feedly’s Reddit feed discovery: go to feedly.com/i/discover/redditFeeds and search for your target keywords
- Subscribe to relevant Reddit search feeds: add feeds for each keyword or vertical you want to monitor
- Test the feed: confirm that new posts from your target subreddits appear in Feedly within a few hours of posting
Phase 2: Build the Zapier classification flow
After this phase, you’ll have: an automated system that classifies each Reddit post and routes it to the right response workflow
- Create a new Zap with an RSS trigger: set the trigger to “New Item in Feed” using your Feedly RSS URL
- Add a ChatGPT “Analyze Data” step: configure it to classify each post into categories relevant to your business (e.g., “requesting a quote review,” “asking about a repair,” “general discussion”)
- Set up conditional paths: use Zapier’s Paths feature to route posts based on classification. Each category triggers a different response workflow.
- Add a ChatGPT response drafting step: for each path, add a step that drafts a helpful comment using your product data, relevant pricing information, or DIY recommendations
- Configure the email notification: set the Zap to email you the suggested comment rather than auto-posting directly to Reddit
“I use a mix of Perplexity and Service Buddy data. A recommendation is provided, and I use a Reddit Zap to auto-post the findings on the original post.”
Phase 3: Respond manually and track results
After this phase, you’ll have: a repeatable process for engaging prospects and driving them to your product
- Review each suggested comment before posting: adapt the AI-drafted response in your own voice before adding it to the Reddit thread
- Post the comment on the original Reddit thread: make sure it reads as genuinely helpful, not promotional
- Track click-throughs: monitor how many commenters visit your site or product after engaging with your response
- Iterate on your classification categories: add new paths as you discover recurring post types that your initial setup didn’t cover
Quick reference
- Total time: 2–3 hours for initial setup, then 15–30 minutes daily for review and posting
- Tools needed: Feedly, Zapier, ChatGPT (via Zapier), your product or data source, email
- Key output: A daily feed of pre-drafted responses to high-intent Reddit prospects, ready for your manual review and posting
Ready for the full story?
Read The automated Reddit workflow that replaced thousands in ad spend, featuring Piers Fawkes of PFSK and Service Buddy, published on the AI Lab by ActiveCampaign.
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