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It’s no secret that we are on the cusp of the audio revolution. Digital assistants such as Google Home and Amazon Alexa are swiftly transforming the way we buy groceries, manage our calendars, consume content and even buy real estate.
By all indications, those who develop a winning voice strategy now will become the real winners of tomorrow. Consider these jaw-dropping stats that illustrate just how important voice-activated technology has become:
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There are over 1 billion voice searches each month as of January 2018, according to Alpine.AI, which also estimates that there will be “1 billion voice assistant-enabled devices in circulation” by the end of the year.
- By 2020, ComScore estimates that 50 percent of all searches will be conducted via voice technology.
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According to Social Media Today, “Nearly 50 percent of people are now using voice search when researching products and services.”
There is no question that creating your own Alexa skill will help you remain relevant and also generate leads from online search.
An Alexa skill works similarly to an app on a smartphone. Users who download your skill to their Amazon Echo device will hear 30 to 90 seconds of a daily message from you on anything you choose.
3 tips for launching your Alexa skill
Here are three tips to help you launch your first Alexa skill successfully:
1. Select a strategic mame
Although you may feel tempted to choose a fun or creative name for your Alexa skill, this could be a disastrous mistake.
It’s far more important that the name of your skill clearly communicates what and who it’s meant for. The more clearly you can communicate what your skill does, the more users you will attract.
2. Craft a concept and content
The concept and the content of your Alexa skill will ultimately make or break it.
If you plan on using your Alexa skill to generate leads, like most real estate agents will, your skill should be providing useful tips to buyers and sellers through their “Flash Briefing,” which will allow you to “touch” your clients 365 days a year — on autopilot.
Be careful that the content you include in your Alexa skill doesn’t constantly try to sell you, but rather positions you as the local expert.
3. Get the word out
Just like launching a new book or show, you need to promote the launch of your new Alexa skill. Use your social media platforms, blog, newsletter, podcast, etc., to let your friends, family and followers know how and why they should download your new Alexa skill.
Social proof will also be very useful in helping you to gain notoriety and popularity with your Alexa skill. I suggest that you offer a gift card or something else of value to the first few hundred people who download, rate and review your skill.
This will help to push it up in the rankings, get your featured on the Alexa’s skill store and show skill shoppers that yours is one worth having.
Get in while the getting is good
Just like with every other revolutionary trend, there is a deadline to get in on the ground floor of the audio revolution and reap the financial rewards for doing so. That deadline is fast approaching.
Whether you decide to develop your Alexa skill yourself, hire a professional coder or hire a real estate content marketing agency, you need to do it today. The longer you wait, the harder and more expensive it will be to get leads from your Alexa skill, so strike while the iron is hot.
Sarah Layton is the real estate content marketing expert behind www.bestrealestatewriter.com and owner of Layton Media.
