The automated Reddit workflow that replaced thousands in ad spend

The tool combines proprietary databases of labor costs and zip code-level market rates with outside research using LLMs like Perplexity.

“Service Buddy checks the latest prices of parts every time a quote is processed,” he explains. ​“Labor prices aren’t changing so fast, but with the help of partners we monitor prices at a zip code level.”

But in addition to offering an AI-powered consumer service, Fawkes is using artificial intelligence behind the scenes to build and refine the product itself with an autonomous marketing approach.

The strategic framework for autonomous marketing

Autonomous marketing operates on a high-performance marketing triad–imagine, activate, and validate–and the most effective marketers know that skipping any one of the three doesn’t just slow results, it breaks the entire cycle. 

How Fawkes built a Reddit monitoring pipeline with Feedly and Zapier

To get a handle on the needs of his customers, Fawkes uses Zapier to monitor Reddit threads related to car repairs and identify people asking for help.

The process starts with the Feedly bookmark tool, which actually finds noted target keywords on Reddit. Fawkes then employs ChatGPT Analyze Data in Zapier to classify the post.

Fawkes explains that Zapier’s ​“trigger” is a new post appearing on Reddit that mentions specific keywords or verticals. The system then analyzes the post by a series of categories and directs the output.

Piers follows this flow:

1. Feedly RSS feed of Reddit search
2. Sends to ChatGPT to analyze and suggest a response via email
3. Fawkes manually responds
4. Commenter clicks through to learn more about Service Buddy

“I use a mix of Perplexity and Service Buddy data,” says Fawkes. ​“A recommendation is provided, and I use a Reddit Zap to auto-post the findings on the original post.”

Say the post involves the review of an auto shop quote, for example, then a separate process kicks off, involving the analysis of the quote and its transfer to the Service Buddy tool to provide a recommendation.

“Then the Zapier flow waits for a response and emails me a suggested comment to make on the post,” he says. ​“At first, I was auto-posting, but I started to get flagged by the moderators, so it is best to take the copy and adapt it on the page.”

If a post involves a callout for a mechanic, for example, it follows a specific workflow.

Finally, if the identified post is about a repair but not a quote, the system queries Service Buddy data held in Airtable about repairs, and then a ChatGPT zap takes that information, crafts a thoughtful comment that is then sent to Fawkes.

Why community monitoring beats paid ads

Reddit’s open API, which can be easily accessed via Zapier here, allows for this kind of real-time community monitoring, and Fawkes has found it more effective, and dramatically more efficient than traditional advertising.

It’s a sharp contrast to ​“spray-and-pray” style marketing that demonstrates the potential of combining AI with real-time user intent.

If there’s skepticism in the space, Fawkes thinks it’s less about the use of AI and more about whether machines can truly interpret dense, highly variable documents.

“Most people who get a car quote turn to their uncle and ask for some advice, and everyone is sort of in the dark,” he says. ​“They don’t realize that AI systems, LLMs, have an amazing amount of data that you can tap into for advice. LLMs win every time.”