The Problem: A Fragile 3-Step Make.com Process
When we first spoke with Manu from InfoTik, he was dealing with a content recycling nightmare. His Make.com automation was working, but it was anything but simple. What started as a straightforward solution had evolved into a complex web of dependencies that required constant maintenance and troubleshooting.
Here's exactly how his system worked before switching to Wahlu:
- Random Number Generator: Generated a number between 1 and the total number of videos
- Airtable Search: Used that number to search for the corresponding record in Airtable
- Video Selection: Fetched the right video and sent it to Instagram
The Airtable setup was particularly painful. Manu had to maintain a specific row structure with numbers 1 through whatever (matching his video count) just so Make.com could fetch the records properly. Every time he added a new video, he had to update both the Make.com automation AND the Airtable structure.
The Biggest Headaches with Make.com
Manu identified several major pain points that made his Make.com setup unsustainable:
- Setup Time: 1-2 hours every time he had to set it up for a new account
- Constant Maintenance: Adding new videos required editing both Make.com and Airtable
- Platform Changes: Instagram stopped accepting Google Drive links, forcing him to add CloudConvert as another step
- Credit Usage: Each additional step consumed more Make.com credits
- Error Prone: Multiple connection points meant more things could break
- No Memory: Pure random selection could post the same video multiple times in a row
The CloudConvert addition was particularly frustrating. Instagram's policy change meant Manu had to convert MP4 files back into MP4 format just to get a temporary link that wasn't a Google Drive URL. It was essentially converting a file to itself, but it was necessary for the automation to work.
CloudConvert is literally just converting an MP4 back into an MP4 just so that I can get a temporary link that isn't a drive link because Instagram stop using Google Drive links to upload videos., Founder at InfoTik
The Solution: Wahlu's Queue Feature
When Manu saw Wahlu's Queue feature, the benefits were immediately clear. Instead of a complex 3-step process with multiple external dependencies, he could now:
- One-Click Setup: Upload videos directly to Wahlu - no external Airtable needed
- Integrated Workflow: Everything happens within the platform
- No Maintenance: Add new videos without touching any automation settings
- Smart Selection: Built-in logic to avoid recent repeats (coming soon)
- Reliable Delivery: No platform compatibility issues
Before vs After: Workflow Comparison
Let's break down exactly how the workflow changed:
Before: Make.com + Airtable + CloudConvert
- Upload video to Google Drive
- Add video details to Airtable with specific numbering system
- Update Make.com automation if needed
- Random number generator picks a number
- Airtable search finds the corresponding video
- CloudConvert processes the Google Drive link
- Video gets posted to Instagram
After: Wahlu Queue
- Upload video directly to Wahlu
- Add to queue with one click
- Set posting schedule
- Done - Wahlu handles the rest
Time Savings and Efficiency Gains
The time savings are significant. Here's what Manu gained by switching:
- Setup Time: From 1-2 hours to under 5 minutes
- Maintenance: From constant updates to zero maintenance
- Error Resolution: From troubleshooting multiple systems to single platform support
- Learning Curve: No need to understand Make.com automations or Airtable formulas
The easiest thing for creators is that I needed to have knowledge of automations and Make.com to actually get this running. If you are just a creator, it's unlikely that you're going to have this kind of knowledge. It basically just eases down the process and instead of having to actually learn Make.com automations, it's just a one-click process., Founder at InfoTik
Technical Advantages of Wahlu's Approach
Beyond the obvious time savings, Wahlu's integrated approach offers several technical advantages:
- Fewer Failure Points: No multiple system connections to break
- Platform Independence: No reliance on external APIs that can change policies
- Unified Support: One place to get help when things go wrong
- Consistent Updates: Platform changes are handled by Wahlu, not the user
- Better Error Handling: Integrated systems provide clearer error messages
What's Coming Next: Smart Content Selection
One of Manu's biggest concerns with his Make.com setup was the lack of memory. His random selection could post the same video multiple times in a row, which isn't ideal for audience engagement.
Manu suggested we add a feature to shuffle the playlist but not repeat the last few posts. We thought that was a great idea, so we're building it. This "shuffle with no recent repeat" feature will remember recently posted content and avoid repeating it for a specified period, giving creators the best of both worlds: automated content recycling with intelligent selection that keeps audiences engaged.
Key Takeaways for Content Creators
If you're considering automation for your content recycling, here are the key lessons from InfoTik's experience:
- Simplicity Wins: The best automation is the one you don't have to think about
- Integration Matters: Fewer moving parts mean fewer things that can break
- Time is Money: Consider the total cost of setup and maintenance, not just the monthly fee
- Future-Proof Your Workflow: Choose solutions that adapt to platform changes automatically
- Start Simple: Don't over-engineer your first automation - you can always add complexity later
The Bottom Line
InfoTik's switch from Make.com to Wahlu's Queue feature represents a perfect example of how the right tool can transform a complex, error-prone process into something simple and reliable. What used to take hours of setup and constant maintenance now happens with a few clicks.
Wahlu's Queue does it better - no maintenance, no headaches., Founder at InfoTik
Sometimes the best solution isn't the most complex one, but the one that just works.
Ready to simplify your content recycling workflow? Try Wahlu's Queue feature and see how easy content automation can be when it's built right into your social media management platform.
