Automate Blog Content Creation with n8n and Grok 3 API

Introduction

n8n is an open-source automation tool that connects apps to streamline tasks. This tutorial guides you through creating a workflow to automate blog post creation for Google Blogger using the Grok 3 API for content generation, Pexels for images, and Google Sheets for storage. The workflow ensures niche-relevant content and uses n8n’s free tier.

Prerequisites

• n8n account (free at n8n.io)
• Grok API key (x.ai/api)
• Pexels API key (pexels.com/api)
• Google account for Sheets and Blogger
• Google Sheet with columns: Title, Content, Meta Description, Image URL, Status

Workflow Overview

The workflow:

1. Schedules automatic runs
2. Sets niche keywords
3. Generates a blog post topic
4. Drafts a detailed post
5. Fetches a relevant image
6. Saves data to Google Sheets
7. Handles errors

Step-by-Step Setup

Step 1: Create Workflow

1. Log in to n8n.
2. Click New Workflow.

Step 2: Add Schedule Trigger

1. Click +, select Schedule Trigger.
2. Set Interval to "Daily" (or "Every 5 minutes" for testing).
3. Save.

Step 3: Set Niche Keywords

1. Add Set node, connect to Schedule Trigger.
2. Configure:
   • Add Value > String.
   • Name: interestField
   • Value: Keywords (e.g., vegan recipes, plant-based cooking, healthy desserts) or prompt (e.g., Generate content for a vegan food blog.)
3. Test with Execute Node. Output: {"interestField": "vegan recipes, plant-based cooking, healthy desserts"}

Step 4: Generate Blog Post Topic

1. Add AI Agent node, connect to Set node.
2. Configure:
   • Credentials: Create new credentials.
     • Type: Custom API
     • URL: https://api.x.ai/v1
     • API Key: Grok API key
   • Model: grok-3
   • System Message:
     You are a content assistant. Using the interest field ({{$node["Set"].json.interestField}}), suggest one blog post topic. Output only the topic title.
     Example: 5 Easy Vegan Dessert Recipes
   • Temperature: 0.7
   • Max Tokens: 50
   • Output Field: title
3. Test to confirm relevant topic.

Step 5: Draft Blog Post

1. Add another AI Agent node, connect to first AI Agent.
2. Configure:
   • Use same Grok credentials.
   • Model: grok-3
   • System Message:
     You are a blog writer. Using the topic ({{$node["AI Agent"].json.title}}) and interest field ({{$node["Set"].json.interestField}}), write a blog post (up to 500 words) with an H1 title, at least two H2 sections, and a meta description. Format in clean HTML.
     Example:
     

     5 Easy Vegan Dessert Recipes

     Chocolate Avocado Mousse

     Blend avocados and cocoa...

     Coconut Chia Pudding

     A refreshing treat...

   • Temperature: 0.8
   • Max Tokens: 1000
   • Presence Penalty: 0.5
   • Output Fields: title, content, metaDescription
3. Test for valid HTML output.

Step 6: Fetch Image

1. Add Pexels node, connect to second AI Agent.
2. Configure:
   • Credentials: Pexels API key
   • Query: {{$node["AI Agent"].json.title}}
   • Max Results: 1
   • Output Field: imageUrl
3. Test for valid image URL.

Step 7: Save to Google Sheets

1. Add Google Sheets node, connect to Pexels.
2. Configure:
   • Credentials: Google Sheets OAuth2
   • Spreadsheet: Select "BlogDrafts"
   • Fields:
     • Title: {{$node["AI Agent 2"].json.title}}
     • Content: {{$node["AI Agent 2"].json.content}}
     • Meta Description: {{$node["AI Agent 2"].json.metaDescription}}
     • Image URL: {{$node["Pexels"].json.imageUrl}}
     • Status: Draft
3. Test to confirm data saves.

Step 8: Add Error Handling

1. Add Error Trigger node, connect to all nodes.
2. Add Send Email node:
   • Message: Workflow failed at {{$node["Error Trigger"].json.nodeName}}. Error: {{$node["Error Trigger"].json.errorMessage}}
3. Test by breaking a node (e.g., invalid API key).

Step 9: Test and Activate

1. Click Execute Workflow.
2. Verify Google Sheets data.
3. Toggle Active.

Step 10: Publish to Google Blogger

1. Review draft in Google Sheets.
2. In Blogger, create post, use HTML view, paste Content column.
3. Add <img src="{{$GoogleSheet.ImageURL}}" alt="Blog image">.
4. Publish.

Workflow Diagram

[Schedule Trigger] --> [Set Keywords] --> [AI Agent: Topic] --> [AI Agent: Draft] --> [Pexels] --> [Google Sheets]
   (Daily)            (Niche focus)      (Topic)            (Post)           (Image)      (Saves draft)
        |                                                                |
        +------------------> [Error Trigger] --> [Email] (Notifies) <----+
    

Troubleshooting

• Grok API Issues: Verify key at x.ai/api.
• Sheets Access: Check OAuth2 permissions.
• Irrelevant Content: Refine keywords (e.g., vegan desserts).
• No Image: Use broader Pexels query.
• Workflow Failure: Ensure Active toggle is on.

Tips

• Use specific keywords (e.g., vegan desserts, gluten-free baking).
• Review AI output for tone.
• Check Pexels image relevance.
• Explore n8n’s blog.

Conclusion

This n8n workflow automates blog content creation with Grok 3 API, Pexels, and Google Sheets, ensuring niche-relevant posts for Google Blogger. Using n8n’s free tier, you can streamline content creation efficiently.