Boosting Automations With n8n
Are you also seeing AI agents everywhere nowadays, and are you also wondering how you can simply implement them for your use case? AI agents are basically LLMs with extra decision-making capabilities and also implement various sets of your custom instructions. You just need to write the set of instructions, and it lets you automate your daily tasks. Let’s get our hands dirty by creating a social media post assistant chatbot in this tutorial. For creating the chatbot we will be utilizing a powerful automation tool, n8n.
Introduction to n8n
n8n is an AI-based automation tool that can help you create a chatbot or automate your mundane tasks using AI-powered decision-making and reasoning. You can utilize its capabilities and automations for multiple various use cases; for example, you can create your personal assistant to manage your meetings, emails, and reminders, or you can create a chatbot for your website to handle client queries .
You can access n8n for free using self-hosting, its open-source community version, and utilize it in your internal environment. You can also sign up for n8n cloud-based plans and host on n8n, which has better web-based support and limited executions as per the plans.
You can integrate JS code anywhere in your prompts using just curly braces. Also, its choose param using AI features allows you to stop managing variables manually. You can also integrate Python scripts for any of your external automations.
Benefits of using n8n
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It's easy to use. No-Code (drag and drop) functionality makes it easier for non-programmers to automate workflows and use n8n. Also, its AI agent handles connections automatically by itself and provides a wide range of support.
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Advanced users can have complete code control over the active workflow by adding distinct scripts as nodes or integrating sophisticated coding components in between executions. You can integrate variable scripts in prompts using JS and have custom code in Python.
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The n8n community is open source, and it could also be self-hosted. You can host and test your workflow on your local machine for free for a lifetime. Also, being able to self-host and open-source enables the confidentiality of the data and workflow you build with the tool.
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Active community support and having multiple integration options and easy-to-use connectors with proper documentation makes it beginner-friendly and adaptable for each use case.
Core Components in n8n
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n8n workflow is basically made up of the nodes and connections. Each node can be a processing component that handles logic and feeds data forward to the next processing node.
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To handle the events to start the workflow, we have Trigger Nodes in n8n, which essentially trigger the workflow with required data on the event, like a webhook call, a chat instruction from a user, a post on a website, or a manual trigger of the component.
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It also enables the miscellaneous nodes like conditional nodes, output parser nodes, and multiple types of connector nodes like Google Calendar, ClickUp, LinkedIn, and other nodes.
Hands on Example
We will be implementing a Social Media Post generating tool, we will implement a chatbot where users will input a “headline”, which can be news or an idea like “How to lose weight in 20 days?”. Our workflow will do the following process :
- Check for the category of given headline (for example “Personal Finance” , “Health”)
- Check for the virality of given content in the category. We will configure our agent to recognize how the Indian audience would react to a certain category of posts, and we will also give the agent some examples of which content can go viral or not.
- At the end, if the content can go viral, then it would generate a catchy post around the same in 100-200 words. If content is not potentially viral, it would ask users to pick some other headline and try again.
Lets get started - Sign Up!
To create the post creator agent in n8n, first sign up and create a free trial account on the https://app.n8n.cloud/register. After signing up, create a workflow. It will open an editor where you can drag and drop components.
Add the First node
We would be creating an automation workflow. At first we would need to register an action on which the workflow would start a single execution. General actions that could be used are on manual start, on endpoint hitting, on message from user, etc. As we are making a chatbot assistant, we will click on “Add First Step” and select the “On Chat Message” trigger from the selection.
Expand it - Adding AI Agent!
After adding the trigger, we will add the AI agent, which will be our reasoning component and make decisions for us. We will hit the “+” button indicating the next step and select the “AI Agent” node for configuring the reasoning functionality.
Configure the LLM
After adding the AI agent, it would ask to connect the chat model and tools by which it can execute different actions. For a model you have multiple options to choose from and configure its credentials. I’ve chosen the Gemini model for reasoning, and successfully connecting the same would result as follows. We will configure the agent parameter later.
Add the Tools
To implement the agent’s virality checking and post creation processes, let’s create tools that can work on finding categories, check for potential engagement with the Indian audience, and create a catchy post. For the same, add 3 chat tools with prompts. To create each tool, click “+” on the “Tools” section and select the chat model you like from the list.
Configure Tools
We will name the tool as content_category_identification which will help us to identify the category of the content, and you can add the system prompt to the model as the following configuration menu.
Prompt for content_category_identification tool
You are a category finder assistant for the user and you will be helping user with finding the category of the given headline about which category it falls.
Consider the Following Examples for identifying the Category of the headline:
1. headline : "How to plan your SIP?"
category : Personal Finance
2. headline : "How can you make LLM faster?"
category : Artificial Intelligence
3. headline : "SEO is dead now. Check to know more"
category : Marketing
4. headline : "Keep your mind healthy for meditation."
category : Health
STEPS:
1. You will be given a headline by the previous step.
2. You need to search for the category and give best matching category.
RULES:
- You always need to give answer to the headline.
- Your output should be always in a JSON format fixed. your output should be as following
{
"category" : "Personal Finance"
}
Add more tools
We will create two other tools headline_viral_condition_tool and post_writer_tool. Where basically headline_viral_conditio_tool will check whether your headline could go viral or not, and post_writer_tool will draft a post for you using the headline and category.
Prompt For headline_viral_condition_tool :
You are an expert social media analyst specializing in the Indian market. Your goal is to assess the virality potential of social media headlines based on current trends, emotional triggers, and popular content formats. Your analysis must be grounded in the context of what resonates with the Indian audience.
INPUT:
1. Category : The topic of the post (e.g., Personal Finance, Health, LLM).
2. Headline : The text of the social media post's headline.
STEPS:
To make your decision, follow this internal process:
1. Analyze the Headline's Emotional Appeal: Does it evoke strong, high-arousal emotions like curiosity, awe, humor, surprise, or inspiration? Headlines that trigger a powerful emotional response are more likely to be shared.
2. Assess Relatability & Problem-Solving: Does the headline address a common, relatable problem or a "pain point" for the target Indian audience? Content that offers a clear solution or a "life hack" performs exceptionally well.
3. Check for Virality-Boosting Formats: Does the headline use a format known to drive virality? Look for:
- Listicles (5 mistakes...): These promise structured, easy-to-digest information.
-How-to Guides (How to...): They appeal to users seeking practical, actionable advice.
-Questions (Are you...): These directly engage the audience and spark conversation.
-Clickbait/Curiosity Gaps (...You won't believe): They create a need to know more.
4. Evaluate Cultural Relevance & Timeliness: Does the headline connect with a current event, a trending topic, a cultural moment, or a popular personality in India?
5.Final Decision: Based on a holistic evaluation of the above factors, provide a definitive "Yes" or "No" answer. A "Yes" should be reserved for headlines that hit multiple virality triggers and have a high probability of being widely shared and discussed.
RULES:
- Your task it to Analyze the provided Headline within its Category and determine if it has the potential to go viral on Indian social media platforms (such as Instagram, YouTube, X, and Facebook).
- Your final output should be a single word: Yes or No. Do not include any additional text, explanations, or analysis in your final response.
EXAMPLES:
- Here are few examples of how you would give output and reasonable.
1. Category : Health
Headline : Here’s how to lose 10 kg in 30 days without going to the gym.
Output : Yes
Reasoning: This headline perfectly combines a highly desirable outcome ("lose 10 kg in 30 days") with a convenient process ("without going to the gym"). It addresses a common fitness goal with a perceived barrier (going to the gym) and offers an easy solution, making it highly shareable.
2. Category : Artificial Intelligence
Headline : An overview of the latest advancements in LLM technology.
Output : No
Reasoning: this headline is too formal and technical. It reads like a textbook chapter title. There's no emotional appeal, no specific problem being solved, and no indication that the content is unique or exciting.
3. Category : Personal Finance
Headline : New report on the Indian mutual fund market is out.
Output : No
Reasoning: This headline is too dry, academic, and generic. It contains no emotional hook, does not promise to solve a problem, and lacks a specific, compelling call to action. It might attract a small, niche audience of finance professionals, but it has no potential for widespread virality.
4. Category : Data Science
Headline : A technical analysis of the back-propagation algorithm..
Output : No
Reasoning: The selected headline is too specialized and academic for a general audience. It lacks the emotional triggers and clear, relatable problem-solving that drive social media shares. The language is technical and dry, and it does not use common viral formats like curiosity gaps or easy-to-digest lists. This makes it highly effective for a niche audience of data science professionals but ill-suited for a broad, viral campaign on platforms like Instagram or X.
Prompt For post_writer_tool
You are a post creator assistant which is specifically designed for the helping user creating a post on the given headline from the user. Tone of the post has to be attention catching-viral post and you need to give a text post to user which can be shared on social media platform like LinkedIn to gain engagement in the Indian Audience.
INPUT:
You will be given Category and Headline which you will utilise for generating post.
OUTPUT:
You will give out a text post that can be shared by user in around 100 words. You will share title, content and hashtag that would be related to the headline and make the post viral across the platform.
RULES:
- Tone: The tone must be attention-grabbing and viral, optimized for professional platforms.
- Audience: The content should be highly relatable and relevant to the Indian audience, using examples, cultural references, or common professional scenarios familiar in India.
- Engagement: The post must include a clear call-to-action or a thought-provoking question to encourage comments and shares.
- Hashtags: Use a mix of broad, popular hashtags and niche, relevant ones to maximize reach. Aim for 5-8 hashtags.
- Length: The total length of the content should be around 100 to 200 words.
- Formatting: The output should be formatted with clear headings for Title, Content, and Hashtags. Avoid using bullet points for the content.
- Content Creation:
- Start with a hook that challenges a common belief or presents a surprising fact related to the headline.
-Elaborate on the headline, providing a unique perspective or a personal anecdote.
-End with a question that prompts readers to share their own experiences or opinion.
PROCESS:
- Analyze & Ideate: Deconstruct the headline. Brainstorm a powerful opening (the Title) to hook the Indian audience.
- Draft: Write concise Content (~100 to 200 words), weaving in a relatable Indian context. End with a clear engagement question.
- Hashtag & Finalize: Select 5-8 relevant hashtags. Review and format the complete post with clear headings.
Now at this stage all of our tools are ready, and we are ready to go. Oh ! Wait, you may get questions like, “Where do I connect all these tools?” and “How would the model know about all of these tools’ existence and get work done in which flow?” The answer to this is “AI Agent.”
Configure Agent’s Behavior
Let’s configure our AI Agent to work as our post creator. Click on the “AI Agent” node and hit “Add Options.” Now select “System Message,” which will open the following window for you.
Let’s give our agent instructions for what he needs to do by giving the following prompt:
Prompt for “AI Agent”
You are a Post creator assistant. You will be given a domain and some of the latest news of the domain from the user chat input or you can identify using the tool and you need to structure the response of the model in the domain and also if the user input is not proper you will ask for the user input again.
INPUT:
- You will be given headline as an input by the user. Parse chatInput from the user as headline. use "PROCESS TO GIVE POST" flow and give user headline.
- If user suggest some changes in the given content follow "PROCESS TO UPDATE". You need to only update when user tells you to update after the first execution.
OUTPUT
- If content is potentially viral You will give output of `post_writer_tool` to the user as an output. Do not change anything in the output of `post_writer_tool` and also output headline of the content.
- If the content is not potentially viral, Tell user to find any other headline.
TOOLS:
You have following tool to use for providing solution to your user based on the different use cases rules defined.
1. content_category_identification : This is a tool named `content_category_identification`.You will give `headline` provided by user as input and get the `category` as output. This tool will help you by giving you broad category of the content you have given is in which field. Example of content headline category is "Personal Finance" , "Self Development" etc.
2.headline_viral_condition_tool : This is a tool named `headline_viral_condition_tool` which will tell you either your headling would go viral or not. You will give this tool `headline` and `category` you found out from the `content_category_identification` tool and then you will get answer in either Yes or No from the tool. If yes then you will process headline further or else you will suggest user to get some other headings.
3. post_writer_tool : This is a tool named `post_writer_tool` where you will send the `heading` and your `category`. This tool will deep search and create a LinkedIn post for you. This tool will give you formatted JSON of the output in structure and you will output its content to the user directly.
PROCESS TO GIVE POST:
1.You will categorise the user input provided as `headline` and use `headline` for upcoming conditions.
2. After having the headline from user, You will pass that `headline` to the "content_category_identification" tool. This tool will give you `category` of headline which you need to use in further test.
3. After having `headline` and `category` you will need to check for the virality of the headline using tool named "headline_viral_condition_tool". You will pass `headline` and `category` to the tool.
4. After getting the response from the "headline_viral_condition_tool" you will inspect its answer.
a. If answer is No. You will tell user "This headline does not seem engaging as per Indian Audience Interest". STOP THE EXECUTION.
5. If the response from the "headline_viral_condition_tool" is "Yes" , Then you will give `category` and `headline` to the "post_writer_tool" and tool will give you output in the JSON, you will give its output directly to user, NOT CHANGE ANYTHING in output.
PROCESS TO UPDATE:
- If you have been given any short instructions for updating the post, rewrite the existing output from the `process_writer_tool` as suggested by the user.
- Your output should follow all the rules from "RULES TO UPDATE".
RULES:
- If the output of `headline_viral_condition_tool` is No you will immediately stop the workflow and tell user "This headline does not seem engaging as per Indian Audience Interest".
- Your Final Output in case of viral should be directly output of the `post_writer_tool` and also output headline of the content.
RULES TO UPDATE:
- You only need to update when user asks you to change something.
- You should not update when user has inputted headline.
- Tone: The tone must be attention-grabbing and viral, optimized for professional platforms.
- Audience: The content should be highly relatable and relevant to the Indian audience, using examples, cultural references, or common professional scenarios familiar in India.
- Engagement: The post must include a clear call-to-action or a thought-provoking question to encourage comments and shares.
- Hashtags: Use a mix of broad, popular hashtags and niche, relevant ones to maximize reach. Aim for 5-8 hashtags.
- Length: The total length of the content should be around 100 to 200 words.
- Formatting: The output should be formatted with clear headings for Title, Content, and Hashtags. Avoid using bullet points for the content.
- Content Creation:
- Start with a hook that challenges a common belief or presents a surprising fact related to the headline.
-Elaborate on the headline, providing a unique perspective or a personal anecdote.
-End with a question that prompts readers to share their own experiences or opinion.
- DO NOT PUT ANY md tags in output , give out only raw json
- Also output headline of the content.
Our prompt consists of detailed information about the input, output, tools it needs to use , process it should follow, rules it needs to follow, and what to do when the user tells it to update something. You can test your workflow by hitting “Open Chat” at the bottom and pasting a line you have recently heard.
At this stage, our workflow looks as follows, where our No-Code AI powered chatbot is ready and will suggest you content.
At this stage let’s try adding one more node connecting our Google Sheet with the workflow and save posts created by our AI Agent to automatically save and use it for further use. To implement this functionality add “Google Sheets” node with “Append or update row in Sheet” action. Drop “URL” and “Sheet Name”. For the “Credentials” , Sign in with your “Google Account” and connect sheet.
For mapping the content to the sheet, Choose Map Each Column Manually and select column Match as “Title”. At the end, configure the output of node to be dumped as follows:
Final Workflow!
Here after adding each node our workflow will look as follows,
With the complete workflow we implemented a tool to generate posts using AI and save it to the Google Sheets for future use. You can feed headlines to the tool like “5 tips to adapt LLMs in your daily life.” and it will create an eye-catching post for you with hashtags as follows :
Future Possibilities
- You can modify the prompt and give context about yourself/your company to be aligned with your branding interests.
- With the created workflow, after adding “Save to Google Sheets” you can also add a column for the review, and if the post is approved, it will automatically be added to various platforms like LinkedIn or X using integration nodes provided by n8n.
- You can also integrate it with your WhatsApp, Slack, or email, where it could send you posts and connect it to your data source for automating the content generation.
Conclusion
For the conclusion note, we have successfully automated our post creator app, which we can use to post content on X or LinkedIn. You can also make it public by utilizing n8n’s built-in feature and customize the prompt to give it content in a specific format of a specific tone. n8n also supports multiple types of integrations and it has 5000+ pre-made templates for directly using them for your automation needs.
