It's hard to believe that 2020 is almost over. Wait a minute, 2021 is almost over. That was quick.
Perhaps this year felt more like 2020: The Sequel. But for folks who've adjusted to a new way of work, 2021 was also a year to expand what they can do with Zapier.
We released a number of new features to ensure our customers can automate the boring stuff, so you can spend time on what matters most—no matter what year you think it is.
Zapier's first live event
Although automation and remote work isn't new to Zapier, there was one thing we hadn't done before: a virtual user conference.
And you showed up—thousands of people joined us for ZapConnect to learn automation tips and tricks, such as how to think with an automation mindset, how to create powerful workflows, and much more.
If you missed ZapConnect, don't worry: we've got you covered with our on-demand library of ZapConnect sessions. Prefer things in written form? Check out the blog posts we've produced from popular ZapConnect sessions.
A new Zapier feature
We closed out ZapConnect by announcing a new beta feature: Transfer by Zapier.
Transfer allows you to move app data in bulk, whenever you'd like. It's a feature that users have been requesting for years. The ZapConnect attendees went wild—or, as wild as one can get in a virtual conference chat.
Check out our guide to Transfer.
New Zapier integrations
There's nothing quite like the satisfaction of finding out that your favorite app has a Zapier integration. We added more than 1,400 apps to our App Directory, including Notion and TikTok Lead Generation.
Notion
Notion is a favorite for app minimalists who want to handle to-do lists, notes, and project management in one place. With the arrival of its long-awaited Zapier integration, Notion fans can turn their workspaces into the ultimate information hub.
Want more on getting started with Zapier and Notion?
TikTok Lead Generation
TikTok was the most downloaded app of 2020, and it continued to be a major force in 2021. (Ask Chanel how they're doing with that advent calendar.) TikTok's Zapier integration, TikTok Lead Generation, allows marketers and small businesses to automatically move leads from TikTok's Ads Manager to other apps.
The blog in review
And of course, this recap wouldn't be complete without highlighting some of the stories you most enjoyed in 2021. While we can't offer you a fancy music compilation to recap the year, we instead chose one top-performing article from each of our main categories:
App tips: How to play background music on Zoom without sharing your screen
We should all be good at Zoom by now, right? There's always something new to learn with the video conferencing app. We hope this quick tip will make you a hit at the next virtual happy hour or meeting you're hosting.
Automation inspiration: Grow your business with marketing automation
Marketing is a key part of growing your business. It also has a lot of moving parts that could easily overwhelm you if you try to do it on your own. If you can't hire a marketing team, there are ways you can use automation to help you manage the entire customer journey.
Best apps: The best note-taking apps of 2021
We're all a little more introspective, and you need a note-taking app to capture those deep thoughts. Whether you finally picked up a journaling habit or want to get better at organizing your notes, we tested and rounded up the best note-taking apps this year.
Marketing tips: Brand voice 101: How to build a consistent brand
Branding is not just visual. It's your company's personality and presence, and that includes how you talk about your brand. This article covers why brand voice matters, and how to develop a consistent voice for your business.
Productivity tips: Actual impostors don't get impostor syndrome
Feeling like a fraud at work is, unfortunately, a common experience. It's so common that my friend Justin's article went about as viral as a company blog post could get. While we've published plenty of articles about impostor syndrome, consider this: the real impostors don't get impostor syndrome. We hope you take some comfort in that.
Small business tips: How to optimize your Google My Business listing
We've all searched for businesses in Google, whether it's to check store hours, or whether they require masks upon entry. If you're a business owner, you need to make sure your Google My Business listing is up-to-date. This article is full of tips to ensure anyone can find you.
Zapier tutorials: How to shorten Google Drive links with Zapier
When Google shut down its URL shortener in 2019, we were left with long Google Drive file links to share. If you're facing character limits, this tutorial shows you how to shorten Google Drive links with Zapier for easier sharing.
From the entire Zapier blog team, thank you for reading. And to our email subscribers, Deb at Zapier is especially pleased you let us into your inboxes.
We'll see you in 2022! 🥳
