# Capture social DMs with FanBase and Apify: n8n workflow

> Started by a clock, and works across Apify, Google Sheets and n8n data table. 12 steps: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/capture-social-dms-with-fanbase-and-apify (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

[Automation library](https://millionrounds.com/workflows) · [Content](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?category=Content#library)

# Capture social DMs with FanBase and Apify

Started by a clock, and works across Apify, Google Sheets and n8n data table. 12 steps: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fcapture-social-dms-with-fanbase-and-apify)

**12 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**0** Branches: places the flow splits

**0** Loops or waits

**3** Services it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 1 Model 3 Logic 4 Service 4

The steps in the order they run, from what starts it.

- 1 **Every 15 Minutes Trigger** Schedule trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **Retrieve Watermark Data** Data Table *Service*
- 3 **Fetch Direct Messages** Mcp Client *Model*
- 4 **Identify Intent in DMs** Code *Logic*
- 5 **Store Watermark Data** Data Table *Service*
- 6 **Process CRM Page 1** Mcp Client *Model*
- 7 **Process CRM Page 2** Mcp Client *Model*
- 8 **Merge CRM Page Data** Merge *Logic*
- 9 **Resolve Social Handles** Code *Logic*
- 10 **Execute Actor for Lead Data** Apify *Service*
- 11 **Assemble CRM Data Row** Code *Logic*
- 12 **Insert to CRM Sheet** Google Sheets *Service*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** A clock
- **Steps:** 12
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** Apify, Google Sheets, n8n data table
- **Model:** None. This is plumbing, not judgement

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Apify and Google Sheets accounts. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on a clock.

Does it use AI?

No. Every step is fixed logic or a call to a service, so it does the same thing every time.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 12 steps is enough that you should read each one before running it.

How do I import it?

Copy the workflow, open a new workflow in n8n and paste. The steps appear on the canvas, ready for your own accounts.

**Before you run it**

Nothing here has been tested by us. It is somebody's working automation, read and described from its own steps. Treat the connections it wants as a list of accounts it will touch, and read the 12 steps before you point it at anything that matters.

## Run it in n8n

- **Create your n8n account** Free to start. n8n is where the workflow runs. [Create an n8n account ↗](https://millionrounds.com/n8n)
- **Download the workflow** Free with a Millionrounds account. [Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fcapture-social-dms-with-fanbase-and-apify)
- **Paste it into n8n** Open a new workflow in n8n and paste. Then connect your own accounts.

Stored with the author's traces removed: canvas notes, instance identifiers, saved credential names and any live document they had left behind.

## Connects to

Each opens the other workflows that use it.

[Apify](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Apify#library)[Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Google+Sheets#library)[n8n data table](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=n8n+data+table#library)

## Workflows like it

Also content, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**AI Autopilot Content with Caption** 12 steps · Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ai-autopilot-content-with-caption)
- [**AI Social Media Content Generator - Multi-Platform Posts** 12 steps · Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ai-social-media-content-generator-multi-platform-posts)
- [**AI-powered image generation with OpenAI and Google Drive** 12 steps · Google Drive, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ai-powered-image-generation-with-openai-and-google-drive)
- [**Auto-Publish Podcast Content to IG, LinkedIn & Facebook** 12 steps · Google Sheets, LinkedIn](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/auto-publish-podcast-content-to-ig-linkedin-and-facebook)
- [**Automate travel business operations with Postgres** 12 steps · Google Sheets, Postgres](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automate-travel-business-operations-with-postgres)
- [**Automated Facebook group scraper: posts, comments** 12 steps · Apify, Supabase](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automated-facebook-group-scraper-posts-comments)