You’re in the right place if you’re curious about AI agents but aren’t a coding expert. In this guide, we’ll show you how to create a Content Generator AI agent using Make.com—no coding required. With clear steps and visual guides, you’ll build your first AI agent and be up and running in minutes.
What we’ll be using in this how-to guide:
- Make.com – a very easy to use “no-code” platform for creating automations.
- Google Sheets – a simple place to store our data
- OpenAI’s API – allows you to access ChatGPT via another application (in this case, Make.com). Haven’t worked with APIs before? Don’t worry! We’ll guide you through it.
Step 1: Prepare Your Google Sheet
What You’ll Do:
Create a simple spreadsheet that will serve as your database for ideas.
How To:
- Set Up Columns:
- Idea: Where you list your prompts (e.g. “Launch of new feature X” or “CEO’s quote on trends”). For now, fill out 3-4 ideas. Any idea will do.
- Generated Post: This will later hold the AI’s output. Leave it empty for now.
Tip: Keep your sheet organized. Consistent formatting helps the AI generate better outputs.
Step 2: Create a New Scenario on Make.com
What You’ll Do:
Set up a scenario (a workflow) on Make.com that links your Google Sheet with the AI.
New to Make.com? You’ll need to create an account first. Don’t worry. It’s quick and painless. Just click the Get started free button to set up your account under the free plan, where you can make simple automations like this one at no charge.
How To:
- Log In & Create:
Sign into Make.com and click on Create a New Scenario.
- Add a Google Sheets Trigger:
- Choose “Watch Rows” (or “Watch New Row”).
- Connect your Google account and select your prepared spreadsheet and sheet.
- Since this is your first time accessing your Google account from Make.com, you’ll need to log in and authorize access. You only need to do this once.
Remember: This trigger activates the workflow each time you add a new idea to the Google Sheet.
Step 3: Configure Your Google Sheets Module Settings
What You’ll Do:
Link your scenario to the correct spreadsheet and specify how Make.com should watch for new rows.
How To:
- Spreadsheet ID:
In the module settings, select the appropriate Google Drive and spreadsheet. In the example screenshot, we’ve chosen My Drive and a spreadsheet titled Ideas to Social Posts. - Sheet Name:
Pick the tab you want Make.com to monitor. In the screenshot, it’s Sheet1. - Table Contains Headers:
Make sure this is turned on if your first row has column headers (like “Idea” and “Generated Post”). - Range:
Define which cells to monitor for new data. Here, we’ve used A1:Z1 to indicate the header row, allowing Make.com to detect when new rows are added below it. - Limit:
Decide how many new rows to process per scenario run. In the screenshot, we set it to 1 so the scenario processes one row at a time.
Tip: If you anticipate multiple new rows at once, increase the “Limit.” But for testing or smaller-scale workflows, keeping it at 1 can help you troubleshoot more easily.
Tip: Double-check your settings to avoid missing any data. A misconfigured trigger can lead to skipped entries.
Step 4: Add the OpenAI (ChatGPT) Module
What You’ll Do:
Integrate OpenAI to process the ideas from your sheet.
First Things First:
OK, one tiny complication (that’s all, I promise!) You’ll need to have an OpenAI API account and create an API key. Don’t know what that means? Don’t sweat it! Just follow these instructions or watch the video at the end of this guide, and you’ll be up and running quickly. Note: you’ll need to fund your API account with a credit card and a minimum purchase of $5.00. Even if you’re doing a lot of automation work, that $5 should last you a very long time.
How To:
- Insert Module:
Click the plus (+) icon and add the OpenAI module. - Select Action:
Choose “Create a Completion” to send your prompt to the AI. - API Connection:
When prompted, set up your OpenAI connection and enter your OpenAI API key.
- Configure the Prompt:
Write a prompt that includes data from your sheet. For example:"Generate a friendly 2-sentence LinkedIn post announcing: {Idea}."
Note: The placeholder{Idea}dynamically inserts your sheet’s content.
Tip: Experiment with your prompt wording in the Text Content field. Slight tweaks can lead to more engaging content.
Step 5: Save the AI Output Back to Google Sheets
What You’ll Do:
Capture the AI-generated text and store it in your spreadsheet.
How To:
- Add an Output Module:
Click the plus (+) again and add a second Google Sheets module. - Choose the Action:
Select “Update a Row” (or “Add a Row”) to write the AI’s output (the “Result”) into the “Generated Post” column. - Map the Fields:
Connect the AI’s response to the correct cell in your sheet. Make sure to use the Row Number from the first Google Sheets module and the Result from the OpenAI module, which gets placed in Column B – Generated Post.
Tip: Ensure that the row updated is the one that triggered the scenario. This keeps your data organized.
Step 6: Test and Activate Your AI Agent
What You’ll Do:
Make sure everything works smoothly before going live.
How To:
- Run a Test:
Add a new idea (e.g., “Our app just hit 10,000 users!”) to your Google Sheet. - Observe the Workflow:
Click on the Run once button in the bottom left, and the scenario will trigger.
- Check that the AI generates a post like:
“We’re thrilled to announce we just hit 10,000 users! 🎉 Thank you all for being part of this journey – we’re just getting started. #10kUsers #StartupGrowth.”
- Activate the Scenario:
If the output meets your expectations, enable scheduling/monitoring so the scenario runs automatically.
Tip: Run a couple of tests with different prompts to get comfortable with how your AI agent responds.
Build Your First AI Agent: Beyond the Basics
This simple three-module workflow is just the beginning. Once you’re comfortable with the basics, consider these enhancements:
- Multi-Step Workflows:
Automatically post content to social channels like Slack or Twitter. - Email Notifications:
Receive an email with each generated post. - Advanced Prompts:
Customize prompts to tailor the tone and style of your content further.
By following these steps, you’ve created a functional AI agent that turns ideas in a Google Sheet into ready-to-use content—all in under 20 minutes. Enjoy your new AI-powered workflow, and feel free to experiment further!
Additional Resources
- Getting Started with Make.com
- What are AI Agents? – A Guide for Beginners
- OpenAI API Documentation
- Tips for Crafting Effective Prompts
- Get your OpenAI API Key (video)