The ChatGPT Experiment - Ep 78: Automating AI Workflows With Greg Howe

Release Date: July 22, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 78 of "The ChatGPT Experiment - Simplifying Chat GPT For Curious Beginners," host Cary Weston delves into the realm of automating AI workflows with special guest Greg Howe, founder of Gimme Info. This episode, titled "Automating AI Workflows," explores how integrating AI tools like ChatGPT with workflow automation platforms can significantly enhance productivity and streamline daily operations for individuals and businesses alike.

Listener Insights: The Demand for Automation

Cary opens the episode by highlighting feedback from a recent listener survey, emphasizing that many subscribers are eager to learn about automating workflows. Listeners expressed a strong interest in understanding how to connect various tools with ChatGPT to make their lives more efficient and productive. This sets the stage for an in-depth conversation with Greg Howe, who specializes in helping small businesses and solopreneurs harness the power of AI for everyday tasks.

Guest Introduction: Greg Howe and Gimme Info

[04:35] Cary Weston: "I'm welcoming back Greg Howe. Greg's the founder of Gimme Info. Greg has been spending some time literally doing what it is that you were asking for more information on – connecting the dots, simplifying workflows, understanding what people need, and then putting together some automations to make it happen."

Greg introduces himself and his mission:

[04:44] Greg Howe: "I'm the founder of Gimme Info. One of the things I've been working hard on is making data accessible to people. I'm helping small businesses and high-end solopreneurs get AI into their operations, focusing on simplifying tasks and increasing effectiveness without aiming for a unicorn exit strategy."

Automating Email Management

A significant portion of the discussion centers around managing overwhelming email influx using AI. Greg shares his personal strategy for handling hundreds of daily emails:

[12:43] Greg Howe: "I have one inside Gmail itself. So I have three different folders: Research, Real Value, and Selling. All incoming emails are initially tagged and placed into the Research folder. Then, using Make.com, AI analyzes each email to categorize it into Research or Selling."

Cary probes deeper into the mechanics:

[13:03] Cary Weston: "You've identified the people that you're putting into that folder to begin with. Are you ever deleting them and saying, stop this, I don't want them any more?"

[13:38] Greg Howe: "Absolutely. It's an ever-changing process managed offline."

This method allows Greg to filter valuable information from promotional content, ensuring that only pertinent emails reach his primary folders.

Tools for Workflow Automation

Greg emphasizes the importance of choosing the right automation tools based on technical proficiency. He contrasts developer-centric platforms like n8n.io with more user-friendly options:

[10:54] Greg Howe: "Tools like Zapier or Make.com are ideal for most users. They offer drag-and-drop interfaces that simplify the connection between different software without requiring extensive technical knowledge."

He personally prefers Make.com for its flexibility and robust integration capabilities:

[11:27] Greg Howe: "Make.com allows for branching workflows, enabling more complex automation scenarios compared to Zapier."

Documenting and Analyzing Workflows

Understanding and documenting existing workflows is crucial before implementing AI automations. Greg suggests using screen recording tools to create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):

[22:44] Greg Howe: "Use ChatGPT to brain dump your processes and then create an SOP. Tools like Loom or Scribe can help record and document these workflows visually."

He shares a relatable example from his own experience:

[31:19] Greg Howe: "Think back to creating a step-by-step guide in school, like making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Documenting workflows ensures no critical steps are missed, which is essential for effective automation."

Creating SOPs with AI

Greg illustrates how AI can assist in refining and expanding SOPs:

[32:08] Greg Howe: "By feeding your documented processes into ChatGPT, you can identify gaps and enhance your instructions. This leads to more comprehensive and actionable SOPs."

He recounts an experience where ChatGPT helped him develop a detailed specification for a programmer:

[34:02] Greg Howe: "I used ChatGPT to interview myself and generate a comprehensive eight-page document outlining all necessary features and questions for a programmer. This process ensured nothing was overlooked."

Enhancing Business Processes with AI

The conversation shifts to practical applications of AI in business operations. Greg provides a concrete example of automating customer service responses:

[37:48] Greg Howe: "With Make.com and ChatGPT, you can set up workflows that automatically categorize incoming emails based on sentiment and generate appropriate responses. For instance, if a customer is upset, the system can send a tailored apology and escalate the issue to a manager."

Cary elaborates on the benefits:

[40:30] Greg Howe: "This automation frees up time for high-value tasks, allowing business owners to focus on expanding their operations rather than getting bogged down by monotonous tasks."

Greg Howe’s Offerings and Community

Towards the end of the episode, Greg introduces his AI Automation Launchpad, a free community designed to help individuals implement AI automations in their businesses. He highlights available resources, including templates for Make.com and integrations with chatbots:

[41:22] Greg Howe: "Our community offers free templates and guides to help you get started with AI automations. You can find me on LinkedIn by searching 'Greg Howe Gimme Info,' and I'm always open to collaboration and ideas."

He also hints at future interactive workshops:

[43:11] Greg Howe: "We're planning to conduct workshops where we can demonstrate these automation techniques in real-time, providing hands-on learning opportunities for our members."

Conclusion and Future Plans

Cary wraps up the episode by acknowledging the transformative potential of automating AI workflows:

[43:39] Cary Weston: "Greg, thanks for joining. You've opened both my eyes and the listeners' to a number of new possibilities. We're looking forward to scheduling that workshop and continuing this valuable conversation."

Greg echoes the sentiment, encouraging listeners to explore and experiment with AI tools:

[43:53] Greg Howe: "Keep getting your hands dirty. It'll pay off. Stay curious."

Key Takeaways

1. Workflow Automation Tools: Platforms like Make.com and Zapier offer user-friendly interfaces for connecting various software applications, enabling complex automations without deep technical expertise.

2. Email Management: Utilizing AI to categorize and manage emails based on sentiment can drastically reduce inbox clutter and ensure timely and appropriate responses to important messages.

3. Documenting Processes: Tools like Loom and Scribe are invaluable for creating comprehensive SOPs, which serve as the foundation for effective automation.

4. AI-Assisted Documentation: Leveraging ChatGPT to refine and expand process documentation ensures thoroughness and minimizes the risk of overlooking critical steps.

5. Community and Learning: Engaging with communities like AI Automation Launchpad and participating in workshops can accelerate the learning curve and provide practical, hands-on experience with AI tools.

6. Focus on High-Value Tasks: By automating repetitive and administrative tasks, individuals and businesses can redirect their efforts towards more strategic and impactful activities.

Notable Quotes

• Greg Howe [04:59]: "AI is everywhere, whether it's a GPT or whatever. What I've been doing is helping small businesses and high-end solopreneurs get AI into their business."

• Greg Howe [12:43]: "I have three different folders: Research, Real Value, and Selling. All incoming emails are initially tagged and placed into the Research folder."

• Greg Howe [22:44]: "Use ChatGPT to brain dump your processes and then create an SOP."

• Greg Howe [37:48]: "With Make.com and ChatGPT, you can set up workflows that automatically categorize incoming emails based on sentiment and generate appropriate responses."

• Greg Howe [41:22]: "Our community offers free templates and guides to help you get started with AI automations."

Further Resources

• AI Automation Launchpad: https://gimmeinfo.com/ai-automation-launchpad
• Greg Howe on LinkedIn: LinkedIn Profile

Embark on your journey to streamline and enhance your workflows with AI by tuning into this insightful episode. Stay curious and transform your productivity with the expert guidance of Cary Weston and Greg Howe.