๐Ÿ“– Session 2
โŒจ๏ธ Use โ† โ†’ arrow keys or spacebar
๐Ÿ› ๏ธ

AI BUSINESS LAUNCH CHALLENGE

Session 3 & 4: MVP Building + Workshop

Build Your Working AI Automation Today

90 minutes of focused building with AI as your co-pilot

By the end of this session, you'll have a working MVP you can demo to potential customers!

๐Ÿ“… Session Structure (90 Minutes)

Readiness Check

5 minutes

Are you ready to build?

Build Framework

10 minutes

The 5-phase building process

AI Toolkit

15 minutes

Every AI prompt you need

Building Phase

60 minutes

Hands-on: Build your MVP with guided steps

Troubleshooting

10 minutes

Common issues and AI fixes

Testing & Demo Prep

10 minutes

Validate your MVP and record a demo

โœ…

Readiness Check: Do You Have Everything?

Before we start building, verify you have all 5 requirements:

1. Workflow Blueprint

โœ… Complete step-by-step workflow map (AI-generated from Session 2)
โœ… List of all tools/APIs needed
โœ… AI prompts for each AI-processing step

2. All Accounts Created

โœ… n8n account active (aititus.com/free-n8n)
โœ… OpenAI or Anthropic API key with credit
โœ… Airtable account (if using)
โœ… Any other service accounts your workflow needs

3. API Keys Ready

โœ… All API keys saved in secure location
โœ… You know how to add credentials in n8n

4. Basic n8n Familiarity

โœ… Logged into n8n and clicked around
โœ… Understand what a "node" is
โœ… Know how to add nodes to canvas

5. Your "Why" is Clear

โœ… You know WHO you're building this for
โœ… You can explain the problem you're solving in 1 sentence
โš ๏ธ

Missing Something? Do This First

โŒ No Workflow Blueprint?

Go back to Session 2, Slide 27

Use the AI Workflow Generator prompt. Takes 15 minutes.

โŒ No Accounts/API Keys?

Pause and set up now. You can't build without them.

Budget 30-45 minutes for setup. Come back when ready!

โŒ Never Used n8n Before?

Quick Start:

  1. Log into n8n
  2. Click "New Workflow"
  3. Click the "+" button - see all the nodes
  4. Add a "Manual Trigger" node
  5. Click "+" after it, add "HTTP Request" node
  6. That's it! You just created your first workflow.

Takes 5 minutes. Get comfortable with the interface.

โœ… All Set? Let's Build!

If you have all 5 items from the previous slide, you're ready to proceed. Hit next!

๐ŸŽฏ

The MVP Mindset: Ship, Don't Perfect

Your goal today: Get something working, not build the perfect product.

โŒ Don't Do This

  • Build all features at once
  • Spend 2 hours on error handling
  • Perfect the UI before testing
  • Add "nice to have" features
  • Overthink every decision

This is perfectionism disguised as diligence. It will kill your momentum.

โœ… Do This Instead

  • Build the core workflow only
  • Happy path first, errors later
  • Manual steps are OK for now
  • Test with fake data ASAP
  • Ship it, then improve it

This is how real products get built. Iterate based on feedback.

The 80/20 Rule for MVPs

20% of the features deliver 80% of the value. Build that 20% first.

Example: Meeting Notes automation doesn't need fancy formatting, calendar integration, or CRM updates on day one. It needs: notes in โ†’ summary + email out. That's it!

When in Doubt, Ask Your AI Co-Founder

"Is [feature X] essential for my MVP, or can I add it later?" Let AI help you prioritize!

๐Ÿ—‚๏ธ

The 5-Phase Build Process

Every workflow gets built in this exact order:

Phase 1: TRIGGER SETUP (10 min)

Set up what starts your automation

  • Add trigger node (Airtable, Webhook, Schedule, etc.)
  • Configure credentials
  • Test that trigger fires correctly

Phase 2: DATA COLLECTION (10 min)

Get all input data you need

  • Add nodes to fetch data from sources
  • Test each data node individually
  • Verify data structure is correct

Phase 3: AI PROCESSING (15 min)

Add intelligence with AI nodes

  • Add OpenAI/Claude nodes
  • Write clear prompts
  • Test AI output quality
  • Adjust prompts if needed

Phase 4: ACTIONS (10 min)

Do things with processed data

  • Send emails, update databases, create tasks
  • Test each action node
  • Confirm data reaches destination correctly

Phase 5: END-TO-END TEST (5 min)

Run the complete workflow

  • Execute from trigger to final output
  • Verify entire flow works
  • Record a demo
๐Ÿ”ข

Why This Order Matters

Build Sequentially, Test Constantly

Don't build your entire workflow and THEN test. You'll waste hours debugging.

โœ… The Right Way:

  1. Add 1 node โ†’ Test it โ†’ Confirm it works
  2. Add next node โ†’ Test it โ†’ Confirm it works
  3. Add next node โ†’ Test it โ†’ Confirm it works
  4. Repeat until workflow is complete

This way, when something breaks, you know exactly which node caused it.

โŒ The Wrong Way:

Add 10 nodes โ†’ Click Execute โ†’ 5 errors โ†’ Spend 1 hour debugging โ†’ Can't figure out which node is the problem โ†’ Give up

Don't do this! Build incrementally.

๐Ÿค– AI Prompt for Planning Your Build Order

I need to build this workflow in n8n:

[Paste your workflow description]

Break this down into the exact order I should add nodes, following this pattern:
1. Start with trigger
2. Then data collection nodes
3. Then AI processing
4. Then action nodes
5. Then final output

For each step, tell me:
- Which specific node to add
- What to configure
- How to test just that node before moving on

Give me a step-by-step checklist I can follow.
๐Ÿงช

How to Test Each Node

n8n's Testing Features

Every node has a "Test" or "Execute Node" button. Use it constantly!

Testing Workflow:

  1. Add your first node (e.g., Airtable Trigger)
  2. Click "Test Workflow" in top right
  3. Check the output: Green checkmark = success, red X = error
  4. Inspect the data: Click on the node to see what data it returned
  5. If error: Read error message, fix, test again
  6. If success: Add next node and repeat

What "Success" Looks Like

  • โœ… Green checkmark on the node
  • โœ… Output data appears when you click the node
  • โœ… Data structure looks correct (has the fields you need)

Common "Success" But Actually Wrong

Node shows green checkmark but:

  • โš ๏ธ Returns empty data
  • โš ๏ธ Returns wrong data format
  • โš ๏ธ Missing expected fields

Always click on the node and inspect the actual output data!

๐Ÿค– When Testing Fails

Copy the error message and use this prompt:

I'm getting this error in n8n:

[Paste error message]

My node configuration is:
[Describe what you're trying to do]

What's wrong and how do I fix it?
โšก

Your Power Tools for Building

๐Ÿค– 1. ChatGPT/Claude (Your Primary Co-Pilots)

Use for: Planning, debugging, prompt writing, decision-making and workflow development

Model: GPT-5 or Claude Sonnet 4.5

๐Ÿ”ง 2. n8n MCP

https://www.n8n-mcp.com/

Model Context Protocol for n8n. Connects Claude directly to n8n capabilities for deeper integration.

๐Ÿ“š 3. n8n Documentation

https://docs.n8n.io

Official docs for every node and integration. Search when you need specifics.

๐Ÿ’ฌ 4. n8n Community

Community Forum: community.n8n.io

Ask questions, search for solutions, share workflows

Workflow Templates: n8n.io/workflows/

Pre-built workflows you can copy/modify

๐ŸŽฅ 5. YouTube

Search: "n8n [your use case] tutorial"

Visual learner? Tons of n8n workflows on YouTube. Next slide shows you the best channels.

๐Ÿ’ก Pro Strategy

Start with ChatGPT/Claude for planning and building your workflows. Use n8n MCP for deeper Claude integration. Reference official n8n docs and community for specific guidance. Watch YouTube when you need visual walkthroughs.

๐Ÿค–

AI Prompt Library

Copy-Paste Prompts for Every Situation

The next 5 slides contain ready-to-use AI prompts for every phase of building. Bookmark these!

How to Use These Prompts:

  1. Copy the entire prompt
  2. Paste into ChatGPT/Claude
  3. Fill in the [bracketed sections] with your specifics
  4. Let AI guide you

๐Ÿค– AI Prompts: Getting Started

Prompt 1: Break Down My Workflow Into n8n Nodes

I need to build this workflow in n8n:

**WHAT IT DOES:**
[Describe your automation - e.g., "Takes meeting notes from Airtable, summarizes them with AI, sends email to attendees"]

**MY WORKFLOW STEPS:**
[Paste your workflow outline from Session 2]

**HELP ME BUILD THIS:**
1. List each n8n node I need in exact order
2. For each node tell me:
   - Which specific n8n node to use (be exact - "Airtable Trigger" not just "Airtable")
   - What to configure in that node
   - What data it should pass to the next node
3. Highlight where I'll need to add AI prompts
4. Tell me which nodes I should test before moving to the next one

Make this a step-by-step checklist I can follow in n8n.

Prompt 2: Find the Right n8n Node

I need to [specific action - e.g., "read data from Google Sheets"] in n8n.

Which n8n node should I use? 

If there's no pre-built node, can I use HTTP Request node? If yes, show me the basic configuration I need.

Also tell me:
- Does this node require authentication? What type?
- What's the most common configuration issue people have?
- Link to the n8n documentation for this node

Prompt 3: Plan My Build Session

I have [X minutes] to work on my n8n workflow today.

My workflow has these steps:
[List your workflow steps]

Current status:
[What you've already built, or "starting from scratch"]

Give me a time-boxed plan:
- What should I focus on in this session?
- What's the minimum I need to get working?
- What can I skip for now and add later?
- Realistic time estimates for each part

๐Ÿค– AI Prompts: Authentication & Credentials

Prompt 4: API Key Setup

I need to connect [Service Name - e.g., "OpenAI"] to n8n using their API.

Help me:
1. Where do I get my API key from [Service]?
2. Step-by-step: How do I create the credential in n8n?
3. What authentication type should I select in n8n?
4. What fields do I need to fill in?
5. How do I test if the credential works?

Give me exact steps like I'm following a recipe.

Prompt 5: Authentication Errors

I'm getting an authentication error in n8n:

**Error Message:**
[Paste the exact error]

**What I'm trying to connect:**
[Service name]

**What I did:**
[Describe your steps - e.g., "Added API key in credentials, selected API Key Auth"]

What's wrong? Give me specific steps to fix this, don't just say "check your API key".

Prompt 6: OAuth Setup

I need to connect [Service - e.g., "Google Sheets"] to n8n and it uses OAuth.

I've never set up OAuth before. Walk me through:
1. What is OAuth and why do I need it?
2. Step-by-step: How to set up OAuth in n8n for [Service]
3. What redirect URLs do I need?
4. Common mistakes to avoid
5. How do I know if it worked?

Explain like I'm 5, but give me the exact steps.

๐Ÿค– AI Prompts: AI Node Configuration

Prompt 7: Write My AI Prompt

I'm using OpenAI/Claude in n8n to [specific task - e.g., "summarize meeting notes"].

**INPUT DATA:**
[Describe what data the AI receives - e.g., "raw meeting notes as text"]

**DESIRED OUTPUT:**
[What you want the AI to produce - e.g., "clean summary in 3-4 sentences + bullet list of action items"]

**OUTPUT FORMAT:**
[How you want it formatted - e.g., "plain text, markdown, JSON"]

Write me a clear, effective prompt I can paste into the n8n OpenAI node. Include:
- System message (if needed)
- User prompt with placeholders for my data
- Any formatting instructions
- Output structure definition

Prompt 8: AI Output Not Good Enough

My AI node in n8n is giving poor results.

**Current Prompt:**
[Paste your current prompt]

**Input I'm Giving It:**
[Show example input]

**Output I'm Getting:**
[Show what AI currently returns]

**What's Wrong:**
[Describe the issue - e.g., "too generic", "missing details", "wrong format"]

**What I Actually Want:**
[Describe desired output]

Rewrite my prompt to fix this issue. Explain what you changed and why.

Prompt 9: Accessing Data in AI Prompts

In n8n, I need to pass data from a previous node into my AI prompt.

**Previous Node:**
[Node name - e.g., "Airtable Trigger"]

**Data I Need:**
[What field - e.g., "the 'Meeting Notes' field from Airtable"]

How do I reference this data in my OpenAI prompt? 

Show me:
1. The exact syntax to use (like {{...}})
2. Where in the n8n interface I find the field name
3. Common mistakes to avoid
4. An example prompt using this data

๐Ÿค– AI Prompts: Data Mapping & Passing

Prompt 10: Data Not Passing Between Nodes

Data is not flowing correctly between my n8n nodes.

**Node A (source):**
[Node name and what data it outputs]

**Node B (destination):**
[Node name and what data it needs]

**Problem:**
[What's happening - e.g., "Node B shows empty", "Getting 'field not found' error"]

**What I tried:**
[Describe your attempts]

Help me:
1. How do I see what data Node A is actually outputting?
2. What's the correct way to reference Node A's data in Node B?
3. Do I need a Code or Set node in between?
4. Show me the exact configuration

Prompt 11: Transform Data Structure

I need to transform data between two nodes in n8n.

**Current Data Structure:**
[Show what you have - e.g., "Array of objects with fields: name, email, date"]

**Needed Data Structure:**
[Show what you need - e.g., "Single object with field 'emails' as comma-separated string"]

**Example Input:**
[Paste actual data sample from your node output]

**Example Desired Output:**
[Show what it should look like]

Should I use:
- Set Node?
- Code Node?
- Function Node?

Show me the exact configuration or code to transform this data.

Prompt 12: Understanding Node Output

I'm confused about what data my n8n node is returning.

**Node Type:**
[E.g., "Airtable Trigger"]

**Output I See When I Click The Node:**
[Paste the JSON or data structure you see]

**What I Need From This Data:**
[E.g., "I need the email addresses"]

Explain:
1. What is this data structure?
2. How do I access [specific field] from this?
3. Show me the exact syntax to use in the next node
4. Is there an easier way to work with this data?

๐Ÿค– AI Prompts: Debugging & Errors

Prompt 13: General Error Debugging

My n8n workflow is throwing an error.

**Error Message:**
[Paste exact error - include error code if shown]

**Which Node:**
[Node type and what it's supposed to do]

**What I'm Trying To Do:**
[Your intended workflow step]

**Node Configuration:**
[Describe your settings, or screenshot]

**What I've Tried:**
[List troubleshooting attempts]

Diagnose this and give me:
1. What the error means in plain English
2. The most likely cause
3. Step-by-step fix
4. How to prevent this in the future

Prompt 14: Workflow Runs But Wrong Output

My n8n workflow executes without errors, but the output is wrong.

**Expected Result:**
[What should happen]

**Actual Result:**
[What is happening]

**Workflow Steps:**
[List your nodes in order]

**Where I Think The Problem Is:**
[Your guess, or "not sure"]

Help me debug:
1. Which node is likely producing wrong output?
2. How can I inspect data at each step?
3. What should I check in each node's configuration?
4. Give me a systematic debugging process

Prompt 15: Rate Limits / API Limits

I'm hitting rate limits or API limits in n8n.

**Service:**
[Which API - e.g., "OpenAI"]

**Error:**
[Paste rate limit error message]

**How Often This Runs:**
[E.g., "Every time new Airtable record is added", "On schedule every 5 minutes"]

Help me:
1. What are the actual limits for [Service]?
2. How can I avoid hitting limits?
3. Do I need to add delays between calls?
4. Should I batch my requests?
5. Show me how to implement the solution in n8n
๐Ÿ†˜

Common Problems & Solutions (Part 1)

Problem: "Cannot connect to service"

Symptoms: Authentication errors, credential failures

Likely Causes:

  • Wrong API key
  • API key not activated
  • Wrong authentication type selected
  • Expired credentials

Fix:

  1. Delete credential in n8n
  2. Go to service's website, regenerate API key
  3. Create new credential in n8n
  4. Make sure you copied entire key (no spaces!)
  5. Test connection

๐Ÿค– AI Prompt: Use #5 - Authentication Errors

Problem: "Field [X] not found"

Symptoms: Can't access data from previous node

Likely Causes:

  • Typo in field name
  • Wrong node reference
  • Data structure changed

Fix:

  1. Click on previous node to see EXACT output
  2. Find exact field name (case-sensitive!)
  3. Use correct syntax: {{$json["exact_field_name"]}}
  4. If nested data, use: {{$json["parent"]["child"]}}

๐Ÿค– AI Prompt: Use #10 - Data Not Passing Between Nodes

๐Ÿ”ง

Common Problems & Solutions (Part 2)

Problem: AI Output is Garbage

Symptoms: AI returns generic, wrong, or unusable content

Likely Causes:

  • Prompt too vague
  • Not giving AI enough context
  • Wrong model (using older models that don't work as well)
  • No output format specified

Fix:

  1. Use Prompt #7 (Slide 13) to rewrite your AI prompt
  2. Add more context: "You are a [role]..."
  3. Specify exact output format
  4. Give examples in prompt if needed
  5. Switch to better or different model (GPT 5 or Claude Sonnet 4.5)

๐Ÿค– AI Prompt: Use #8 - AI Output Not Good Enough

Problem: "Rate limit exceeded"

Symptoms: OpenAI, Anthropic, or other API returns rate limit error

Likely Causes:

  • Too many requests too fast
  • Free tier limits reached
  • Testing workflow repeatedly

Fix:

  1. Wait a few minutes
  2. Add billing to your API account (OpenAI requires prepaid credit)
  3. Add "Wait" node between calls (if processing multiple items)
  4. Check your rate limits at provider's dashboard

๐Ÿค– AI Prompt: Use #15 - Rate Limits / API Limits

๐Ÿ’ก

Common Problems & Solutions (Part 3)

Problem: Workflow Executes But Nothing Happens

Symptoms: Green checkmarks everywhere but no output/action

Likely Causes:

  • Action node misconfigured
  • Empty data being passed
  • Wrong email/recipient/destination

Fix:

  1. Click on each node and inspect output data
  2. Find where data becomes empty or wrong
  3. Check action node settings (email address, database ID, etc.)
  4. Verify action node is actually connected in workflow
  5. Test action node independently with manual data

๐Ÿค– AI Prompt: Use #14 - Workflow Runs But Wrong Output

Problem: Workflow Worked Once, Now Doesn't

Symptoms: Used to work, suddenly failing

Likely Causes:

  • Input data format changed
  • API keys expired
  • Service had an update
  • Free tier limits reached

Fix:

  1. Check execution log for error messages
  2. Test trigger - is new data coming in correctly?
  3. Verify all API credentials still valid
  4. Check service status page (is API down?)
  5. Compare old input data vs new input data structure

๐Ÿค– AI Prompt: Use #13 - General Error Debugging

โœ… Pro Debugging Tip

When stuck, paste the ENTIRE error log into ChatGPT/Claude. It can often spot the issue immediately!

๐ŸŽฅ

Finding n8n Help on YouTube

YouTube Search Formulas That Work

"n8n [your specific task] tutorial"

Examples:
- "n8n airtable to openai tutorial"
- "n8n email automation workflow"
- "n8n webhook setup guide"
- "n8n google sheets integration"
- "n8n chatgpt/claude automation"

Best n8n YouTube Channels

  • Nate Herk: AI automation and n8n workflows - youtube.com/@nateherk
  • n8n Official Channel: Core tutorials and feature demos - youtube.com/@n8n-io
  • Learn with Mojee: Excellent n8n workflow tutorials
  • Jason West: Automation workflows with n8n
  • Workflow Chronicles: Complex workflow examples

Search "[channel name] + your use case" for specific help

What to Watch For in Tutorials

  • โœ… Node configuration screens - pause and copy settings
  • โœ… How they handle errors - learn the debugging process
  • โœ… Data mapping techniques - how they pass data between nodes
  • โœ… AI prompt structures - steal good prompts!

๐Ÿค– AI Prompt: Find Relevant Tutorials

I need to learn how to [specific task] in n8n.

Search YouTube and find me 3-5 good tutorial videos that show:
- [Your workflow step]
- Preferably recent (2024-2025)
- Step-by-step instructions

Give me:
- Video title
- Channel name
- Link
- Brief description of what it covers

โš ๏ธ Watch Out For

Old tutorials (pre-2023) may show outdated n8n interface. Core concepts still apply, but UI might look different!

๐Ÿ“š

n8n Documentation & Community Resources

๐Ÿ“– Official n8n Resources

๐Ÿ’ฌ n8n Community

  • Community Forum: community.n8n.io

    Ask questions, search for solutions, share workflows

  • Discord: Active community with real-time help

    Link on n8n.io - great for quick questions

  • Reddit r/n8n: Community discussions and examples

๐Ÿค– Ask AI to Search Docs For You

Search the n8n documentation for:

[Your specific question - e.g., "how to handle webhook authentication"]

Find me:
1. Link to relevant doc page
2. Summary of the key points
3. Example configuration if available
4. Common issues to watch for

Or use n8nchat.com - AI trained specifically on n8n docs!

โœ… How to Search Docs Effectively

  1. Go to docs.n8n.io
  2. Use search bar in top right
  3. Search by node name (e.g., "Airtable") or use case (e.g., "webhook trigger")
  4. Read the "Operations" and "Examples" sections
  5. Copy example configurations and adapt to your needs
๐Ÿ†˜

When You're REALLY Stuck

The Unstuck Process (Follow in Order)

Step 1: Ask AI First (5 min)

Use one of the AI prompts from slides 11-15. Be specific about:

  • Exact error message
  • What you're trying to do
  • What you've already tried

AI solves 80% of issues instantly!

Step 2: Use N8N MCP (3 min)

Go to https://www.n8n-mcp.com/ MCP to help you build, answer questions or edit your N8N workflow in N8N!

Step 3: Search Community Forum (10 min)

Go to community.n8n.io and search for your error.

Someone has probably had this exact issue before!

Step 4: YouTube Search (15 min)

Search "n8n [your problem]" on YouTube. Watch 1-2 tutorials showing similar workflows.

Step 5: Post in Community (Get Help)

If still stuck, post in:

  • Challenge Google Chat
  • n8n Community Forum
  • n8n Discord

Include in your post:

  • What you're trying to build
  • Exact error message (with screenshot)
  • What you've already tried
  • Your workflow screenshot (without sensitive data)

โš ๏ธ Don't Give Up!

Every builder hits walls. The difference between success and failure is pushing through this moment. You're learning a new skill - frustration is part of the process!

๐Ÿ’ก Secret: Simplify When Stuck

Can't get the full workflow working? Build a simpler version first:

  • Skip problematic integrations - do them manually for now
  • Use Manual Trigger instead of complex trigger
  • Test with hardcoded data instead of dynamic data
  • Get SOMETHING working, then add complexity
๐ŸŽฏ

MVP Scope Decisions: What to Include Now vs Later

โœ… MUST HAVE in MVP

  • Core workflow (trigger โ†’ process โ†’ output)
  • AI processing that delivers value
  • One clear deliverable to customer
  • Happy path (when everything works)

This is the 20% that delivers 80% of value

โŒ SKIP for Now (Add in V2)

  • Error handling
  • Edge cases
  • Perfect formatting
  • Multiple output options
  • Admin dashboards
  • Custom notifications
  • Integration with every tool

These are nice-to-haves that slow you down

Example: Meeting Notes MVP

โœ… V1 (MVP) Includes:

  • Airtable form for notes input
  • AI summarization
  • Email to attendees
  • Update Airtable with "sent"

โŒ V2 (Later) Includes:

  • Calendar integration
  • CRM updates
  • Slack notifications
  • Custom email templates
  • Follow-up reminders
  • Analytics dashboard

๐Ÿค– AI Prompt: MVP Scope Decision

I'm building this automation:
[Describe your full vision]

Help me decide what MUST be in MVP vs what can wait:

For my MVP, I should focus on:
- Minimum features to solve core problem
- Simplest implementation
- Fastest path to testing with real users

Tell me:
1. What's absolutely essential for MVP?
2. What should I save for V2?
3. Is there anything I can do manually for first customers?

Remember: Perfect is the enemy of done. Ship your MVP, get feedback, then improve!

โœ…

The MVP Completion Checklist

Your MVP is Complete When:

โœ… Workflow runs end-to-end without errors
โœ… AI output is accurate and useful (not perfect, but good enough)
โœ… Final deliverable reaches the customer (email sent, database updated, etc.)
โœ… You've tested with 3 different inputs and all worked
โœ… You can explain how it works in 60 seconds
โœ… Someone else could use it with minimal instruction

Final Testing Protocol

  1. Test 1: Perfect scenario (clean data, ideal input)
  2. Test 2: Messy data (typos, formatting issues, edge cases)
  3. Test 3: Minimal data (bare minimum required fields)

If all 3 tests produce acceptable results โ†’ MVP is done! ๐ŸŽ‰

โš ๏ธ Don't Over-Test

You don't need to test 100 scenarios. You need to prove it works for the basic case.

Real user feedback will reveal actual issues faster than you trying to imagine every edge case.

What "Good Enough" Looks Like

  • โœ… AI summary captures key points (even if not perfectly worded)
  • โœ… Email arrives and is readable (even if formatting isn't beautiful)
  • โœ… Data is saved correctly (even if not optimally structured)

Your first customers care about solving their problem, not perfection!

๐ŸŽฌ

Recording Your Demo Video

Why Record a Demo?

  • Proves your MVP works (to yourself and others)
  • Shows potential customers what they're getting
  • Helps you refine your pitch
  • Documents your progress

How to Record Your Demo

Tools: Loom (free), OBS Studio (free), or Zoom recording

  1. Start recording
  2. Show the problem: "Before automation, this took 30 minutes..."
  3. Trigger your workflow: Add test data (Airtable record, form submission, etc.)
  4. Show n8n executing: Open execution log, show green checkmarks
  5. Show the result: Email arrived, database updated, etc.
  6. Explain the value: "This now happens automatically in 30 seconds"

Total time: 2-3 minutes max!

Demo Script Template

"Hi, I'm showing you [automation name].

The problem: [15 seconds - describe pain point]

The solution: [Show trigger] When this happens...
[Show n8n] ...AI processes it automatically...
[Show output] ...and delivers this result.

Time saved: [X hours per week]
Cost: [$X/month]

Questions? [your contact info]"

โœ… Good Demo Shows:

  • Real input data (not Lorem Ipsum)
  • The workflow actually executing
  • Tangible output (email, updated database, etc.)
  • Clear before/after comparison

โš ๏ธ Don't:

  • Show your code/node configuration (customers don't care)
  • Explain every technical detail
  • Record a 10-minute video (keep it under 3 min)
  • Apologize for what it doesn't do yet
๐Ÿš€

Congrats! Your MVP is Done. Now What?

๐ŸŽ‰ Take a Moment to Celebrate

You just built a working AI automation from scratch. Most people never get this far. You did! ๐ŸŽŠ

Next 48 Hours Action Plan

  1. Record your demo video (30 min)
  2. Test with real data 3-5 more times (1 hour)
  3. Write down known bugs/limitations (don't fix yet!) (15 min)
  4. Review your target customer list from Session 2 (10 min)
  5. Draft your outreach message (use AI Prompt from Session 2) (20 min)

Before You Reach Out to Customers:

โœ… Your demo video is recorded and looks professional
โœ… You can explain the value in one sentence
โœ… You know your pricing ($X setup + $Y/month)
โœ… You've tested it enough to be confident it works
โœ… You have a calendar link for booking demos

๐Ÿค– AI Prompt: Draft My Outreach

I just finished building my MVP: [describe it briefly]

Help me write a short outreach message to potential customers.

Target: [who they are - e.g., "real estate agents"]

What it does: [one sentence value prop]

Include:
1. Hook (reference their pain point)
2. What I built and how it helps
3. Offer to show them a quick demo
4. Easy call-to-action

Keep it under 100 words and friendly, not salesy.

Important: Your MVP isn't perfect. That's okay. Your first customers are buying the SOLUTION, not the perfect product. They'll help you make it better!

โ“

Common "I'm Done But..." Questions

"Should I keep building features before reaching out?"

NO! Ship what you have. Get feedback. Build what customers actually want, not what you THINK they want.

"What if customers find bugs?"

They will! That's expected. Say: "Thanks for catching that, I'll fix it today." Then fix it. Early customers are forgiving if you're responsive.

"My automation isn't as good as established competitors"

Your advantage isn't features - it's customization and service. Big companies can't give personal attention. You can!

"Should I charge for my MVP or offer it free at first?"

Charge! Even if it's a discounted "early adopter" rate. Free = no commitment. Paid = they'll actually use it and give feedback.

Suggested: 50% off your planned price for first 3-5 customers

"What if they ask for features I don't have yet?"

Great! Write it down. Say: "That's a planned feature. Would that be valuable for you?" Learn what they really need before building it.

"How many customers should I get before improving the product?"

Get 3-5 paying customers using the MVP. Their feedback will tell you what to build next.

"Can I do some steps manually for first customers?"

YES! This is called "Wizard of Oz" MVP. Automate the core value, do the rest manually. Customers care about the outcome, not HOW it happens.

๐Ÿ’ก The Real Question is:

"Does this solve a real problem well enough that someone will pay for it?"

If YES โ†’ go get customers!

๐Ÿ“š

Homework Before Week 3

Primary Goal: Get Your First Customer!

Week 3 is about SALES. You need momentum going into that session.

Required Tasks (Do These!)

  1. Finish your MVP if not done today (2-4 hours)

    Use AI prompts to unblock yourself. Ask for help!

  2. Record demo video (30 min)

    2-3 minutes max. Show problem โ†’ solution โ†’ result

  3. Test MVP thoroughly (1 hour)

    Run it 5+ times with different inputs. Find and document bugs.

  4. Reach out to 5 potential customers (2 hours)

    Use the outreach messages AI wrote in Session 2. LinkedIn, email, or direct messages.

  5. Book at least 1 demo call (ongoing)

    Your goal: get someone interested enough to see a demo!

Optional (If You Have Time)

  • Create simple landing page (Carrd, Notion, Google Doc)
  • Set up payment method (Stripe, PayPal)
  • Write FAQ document for common questions
  • Create simple terms/privacy policy (use AI to draft)

โš ๏ธ Don't Spend Week 3 Building

The temptation will be to "just add one more feature". Resist!

Week 3 is about SALES. You learn more from talking to customers than from building in isolation.

๐ŸŽฏ

Final Resources & You Got This!

๐Ÿ”ง All Your Power Tools

๐Ÿ“– Session Links

  • Session 1 - Idea Discovery & Validation
  • Session 2 - Workflow Mapping & AI Research
  • Session 3 (This One) - MVP Building
  • Coming Next: Session 4 - MVP Building Workshop

๐Ÿค– Remember: AI is Your Secret Weapon

You now have 15 copy-paste AI prompts to solve ANY problem:

  • Planning your build (Prompts 1-3)
  • Authentication setup (Prompts 4-6)
  • AI configuration (Prompts 7-9)
  • Data mapping (Prompts 10-12)
  • Debugging (Prompts 13-15)

Go back to slides 11-15 whenever stuck!

You're Building a REAL Business

Most people talk about starting a business. You're actually doing it. You found a problem, validated it, mapped the solution, and today you BUILT IT.

The hard part is done. Now you just need to show it to people. That's Week 3!

See you in Session 4 where we talk about getting paid! ๐Ÿ’ฐ

๐Ÿš€ Now go build! ๐Ÿš€

๐Ÿ—‚๏ธ

STOP!

Time to BUILD! ๐Ÿ’ช

The Teaching is DONE.

The next slides are your 60-MINUTE HANDS-ON BUILDING SESSION.

Before You Continue:

  • โœ… Open n8n in one tab
  • โœ… Open ChatGPT/Claude in another
  • โœ… Have your workflow blueprint ready
  • โœ… Have all API keys accessible
  • โœ… Ready to get your hands dirty!

Hit NEXT when you're ready to build! ๐Ÿš€

๐Ÿ—‚๏ธ

Let's Build Your MVP

60-Minute Hands-On Session

Follow the 5-phase process. Use AI prompts when stuck. Test each node before moving forward.

Your Building Checklist:

  1. Open n8n in one tab
  2. Open ChatGPT/Claude in another tab
  3. Have your workflow blueprint ready
  4. Have all API keys accessible
  5. Start with Phase 1: Trigger Setup

The next slides walk you through each phase with specific guidance. Let's go! ๐Ÿ’ช

๐ŸŽฌ

Phase 1: Trigger Setup (10 min)

Your Goal: Get Your Trigger Working

Before adding ANY other nodes, make sure your workflow starts correctly.

Common Trigger Types:

  • Airtable Trigger: When new record added or updated
  • Webhook: When external service sends data
  • Schedule Trigger: Run on timer (daily, hourly, etc.)
  • Manual Trigger: For testing only (won't work in production)
  • Google Sheets Trigger: When row added/updated
  • Email Trigger: When email received

Step-by-Step:

  1. Add your trigger node (click "+" on canvas, search for your trigger)
  2. Set up credentials: Click "Create New Credential", add API key/OAuth
  3. Configure trigger settings: Which table/sheet/event to watch
  4. Test the trigger: Create test data in your source (e.g., new Airtable record)
  5. Click "Test Workflow" in n8n
  6. Verify: Trigger shows green checkmark and returns your test data

โš ๏ธ Common Trigger Issues

  • Polling interval too long: Trigger checks every 5 min by default. For testing, set to 1 min
  • Wrong field: Airtable/Sheets trigger watching wrong field
  • No test data: Create sample data before testing!

๐Ÿค– If Stuck: Use Prompt #1 (Slide 11) or Prompt #4 (Slide 12)

Ask AI to walk you through setting up your specific trigger.

๐Ÿ“ฅ

Phase 2: Data Collection (10 min)

Your Goal: Gather All Input Data

After trigger fires, collect any additional data you need from other sources.

Common Data Collection Nodes:

  • HTTP Request: Fetch data from any API
  • Airtable: Read additional records from database
  • Google Sheets: Look up data in spreadsheet
  • Database Nodes: Query MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc.
  • Code Node: Transform or enrich data

Step-by-Step:

  1. Identify what data you need (check your workflow blueprint)
  2. Add the appropriate node after your trigger
  3. Configure it to fetch specific data
  4. Reference trigger data if needed: Use {{$json["fieldname"]}} syntax
  5. Test this node: Click "Test Workflow"
  6. Inspect output: Click node to see returned data
  7. Verify you have all fields needed for AI processing

โœ… Data Collection Done When:

  • All input data is fetched successfully
  • Data structure is clean and readable
  • You can see all required fields when clicking on node

๐Ÿค– If Stuck: Use Prompt #10 (Slide 14) or Prompt #11 (Slide 14)

Ask AI how to fetch specific data or transform data structure.

Pro Tip: Keep data collection simple for MVP. If fetching data is complex, consider doing it manually for first few customers and automate later!

๐Ÿค–

Phase 3: AI Processing - Part 1 (15 min)

Your Goal: Add Intelligence with AI

This is where your automation becomes "AI-powered"!

Common AI Tasks:

  • Summarization: Condense long text
  • Extraction: Pull specific info from unstructured data
  • Generation: Write emails, posts, responses
  • Classification: Categorize or tag content
  • Analysis: Sentiment, intent, quality assessment
  • Translation: Between languages

Setup: Adding OpenAI Node

  1. Add OpenAI node (or Anthropic if using Claude)
  2. Create credential: Paste your API key
  3. Select operation: Usually "Message a Model" or "Chat"
  4. Choose model for example:
    • gpt-5-nano: Fast, cheap, good for most tasks
    • gpt-5: More capable, slower, pricier
    • gpt-5-mini: Balanced option

๐Ÿค– Use Prompt #7: Write My AI Prompt (Slide 13)

Let ChatGPT/Claude write your AI node prompt for you!

Tell ChatGPT/Claude:
- What your input data is
- What you want AI to output
- What format you need

It will generate a ready-to-use prompt!

โš ๏ธ Don't Skip Testing!

Run your AI node with real data. Check if output quality is good. If not, use Prompt #8 (Slide 13) to improve it.

โœ๏ธ

Phase 3: AI Processing - Part 2

Writing Effective AI Prompts

Your prompt structure should be:

1. ROLE/CONTEXT
"You are a professional email writer..."

2. INPUT
"Here is the meeting summary: {{$json["summary"]}}"

3. TASK
"Write a follow-up email that includes..."

4. FORMAT
"Format as plain text with no markdown."

5. CONSTRAINTS (optional)
"Keep under 200 words. Use friendly tone."

โœ… Good AI Prompt Example:

You are a meeting notes assistant.

Read these raw notes and create:
1. A 3-4 sentence summary of key points
2. A bullet list of action items

Meeting Notes:
{{$json["notes"]}}

Format your response as:

**SUMMARY:**
[summary here]

**ACTION ITEMS:**
- [item 1]
- [item 2]

Keep language professional but conversational.

โŒ Weak AI Prompt Example:

Summarize this: {{$json["notes"]}}

Why it's weak: Too vague, no format specified, no context, AI will give inconsistent results.

Accessing Previous Node Data

To reference data from earlier nodes:

Current node: {{$json["fieldname"]}}
Specific node: {{$node["NodeName"].json["fieldname"]}}
Trigger data: {{$('Trigger').item.json["fieldname"]}}

Click on a node in n8n to see exact field names!

๐Ÿค– If Output Isn't Good: Use Prompt #8 (Slide 13)

Show AI your current prompt + actual output. It will help you improve it!

โšก

Phase 4: Actions (10 min)

Your Goal: Do Something with AI's Output

Now that AI has processed your data, take action!

Common Action Nodes:

  • Send Email / Gmail: Send messages
  • Update Airtable/Sheets: Write data back to database
  • Create Task: In Asana, ClickUp, Trello, etc.
  • Post to Slack/Discord: Team notifications
  • Update CRM: HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive
  • Send SMS: Twilio
  • HTTP Request: Any API call

Step-by-Step:

  1. Add your action node
  2. Configure credentials (SMTP for email, API key for others)
  3. Fill in required fields:
    • Email: To, Subject, Body
    • Database: Record ID, Fields to update
    • Task: Project, Title, Description
  4. Reference AI output: {{$json["message"]["content"]}} or similar
  5. Test with real data: Make sure action actually happens!

Email Node Tips (Very Common)

For Gmail:

Host: smtp.gmail.com
Port: 465
Secure: SSL/TLS
User: your-email@gmail.com
Password: [App Password - NOT regular password!]

Generate App Password:
1. Google Account โ†’ Security
2. Enable 2-Factor Auth
3. Search "App Passwords"
4. Create one for "Mail"

โš ๏ธ Test Actions Carefully

Your action nodes send REAL emails, update REAL databases. Use test accounts/test data!

๐Ÿค– If Stuck: Use Prompt #2 (Slide 11) or Prompt #4 (Slide 12)

Ask AI how to configure your specific action node.

๐Ÿงช

Phase 5: End-to-End Testing (5 min)

Your Goal: Prove The Whole Thing Works

Time to run the complete workflow from start to finish!

End-to-End Test Process:

  1. Save your workflow (top right corner)
  2. Activate it (toggle "Active" switch to ON)
  3. Trigger it with real test data:
    • Add new Airtable record
    • Send webhook
    • Wait for schedule
  4. Watch it execute: n8n shows execution log in real-time
  5. Verify every step:
    • All nodes show green checkmarks
    • AI output looks good
    • Actions happened (email sent, database updated, etc.)
  6. Check the final result:
    • Did email arrive?
    • Is database updated?
    • Does output match expectations?

โœ… Your MVP is DONE When:

  • โœ… Complete workflow runs without errors
  • โœ… Input โ†’ AI Processing โ†’ Output all work correctly
  • โœ… Final deliverable is usable (email is readable, data is accurate, etc.)
  • โœ… You can demo this to someone and it makes sense

โš ๏ธ When Things Break

If end-to-end test fails, don't panic. Check execution log:

  1. Find which node has red X
  2. Click on it to see error
  3. Use AI Prompt #13 (Slide 15) to debug
  4. Fix that one node
  5. Test again

๐Ÿค– If Errors: Use Prompt #13 (Slide 15) or Prompt #14 (Slide 15)

Copy the error message into ChatGPT/Claude. AI will diagnose and fix it.