Alexa enabled devices like the Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show, and the new Echo Studio come with an impressive list of built-in functions. However, there is even more power to be found in Amazon Alexa Skills. Skills are like apps for your Echo device. There are over 100,000 now available that allow you to play games, exercise, meditate, close your garage door, turn on the lights, and more. It is fast and easy to enable skills on your device. Enabling skills is similar to installing an app on your smartphone, but even easier. Once you find the skill you want, it only takes a moment to get it ready to use.
Enabling Skills From the Amazon Website
If you are just getting started with Amazon Alexa skills, you may find it helpful to visit the Alexa Skills page at Amazon.com. You can access it from the home page on any web browser by clicking on the hamburger button, at the upper left, selecting the “Echo & Alexa” category, and choosing Alexa Skills from the bottom of the list. Here you can browse through the thousands of skills sorted by category.
You will see listings for editor’s picks, recommended, trending, popular, recently added, and more. There are even recommendations based on your recent Amazon purchases and video viewing history. You can also search for skills from the search bar from any page on the Amazon website. Just choose “Alexa Skills” from the dropdown menu on the left of the search bar.
Once you find the skill you wish to enable, as long as you are signed in to your Amazon account, just click on “Enable.” The skill will be available on all of your connected Alexa devices. Each skill will list the commands you need to open and use the skill.
Enabling Skills From an Alexa Device
You can also find and enable Amazon Alexa Skills directly from your Alexa device. If you aren’t sure what skills you want to try, you can ask for recommendations. Try something like, “Alexa, what are your top skills?” If you already know the name of the skill you wish to enable, it is easy to do right from your device. Simply find the name of the skill you want to enable and say, “Alexa, enable” and say the skill’s name. If you forget how to do this, you can always ask, “Alexa, how do I enable a skill?“
Enabling Skills From the Alexa App
Another way to enable Amazon Alexa Skills on your Alexa device is by using the Alexa app on your iPhone or Android. Just tap the More button at the bottom of the app’s home screen and select Skills & Games. From there, you can browse by category or search for what you are looking for. With one tap within the app, you can enable the skill.
Reach Customers with Your Own Alexa Skill
Once you have discovered the many Amazon Alexa Skills, you may want to consider developing one for your business. Skills are a great way to connect to 50% of Americans who already own an Alexa-enabled device. As people move from text-based interaction to voice, now is your chance to step into the world of voice marketing.
Get in touch with us and we will help you learn everything you need to know to get started if you want to get your business listed on Amazon Alexa.
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