Best practices for adding custom content
- Only use a given tag on a maximum of 3 content items. Otherwise, there are too many options presented for the guest to be able to consume.
- Add images and video to your content items. This is available under 'Show More Options.' This is especially helpful for explaining how something works at your property or how to troubleshoot a problem.
- Be sure the last sentence in your content description includes a trailing period. That is necessary in order for Alexa to pause and make the response more natural sounding.
- If you think guests might want to hear your content description over again (for example in the case of a WiFi password), you can close your content description with the sentence: "To hear that again, just say, repeat."
- For a local establishment that you are directing guests to, it is helpful to include things like roughly how far away it is from your property, why you like it, and any insider tips such as the best dishes to order.
- Take advantage of the ability to add a link to additional information under 'Show More Options.' For example, you can have the virtual concierge text a link with directions to the guest, or text them a link to the menu of a restaurant.
- You can format the text in content items to adjust how Alexa responds. Commas make her pause, and periods make her pause even a bit longer. For example, here is text resulting in a normal speed response: "That phone number is 425-555-1212." Here is the same response slowed down: "That phone number is 4, 2, 5. 5, 5, 5. 1, 2, 1, 2." If you want it spoken even slower, use "That phone number is 4. 2. 5. 5. 5. 5. 1. 2. 1. 2."
- Be sure to include the words that you used in the content item title when you are putting together the content description. For example, in the situation of a content item called "Corner Grocery," your content description should include the phrase "corner grocery" (it is not case sensitive). Here is an example to illustrate why this is important: Let's say a guest asks "Where can I get groceries?" If your content description is "Very convenient, located just around the corner with all the basics you might need," then that is what your guests will get as a response. The obvious question is "what is located around the corner"? So instead, your content description should be "Corner grocery is very convenient. It is located just around the corner with all the basics you might need." If the title is not part of the content description, the concierge will begin the response with "Sure, I've got information about <content item title> that should help." This provides some context for the guest in case this best practice isn't followed.
- A great way to help the guest consume your content is to end your content description with a suggestion for what the guest can ask for next. For example:
- You can provide a lot of information with "Give us a house tour." Start with one content item that has the tag of 'House Tour.' After providing a brief description, close the content description with: "To continue the tour, you can ask, where can we park?" Then have a content item with the tag of 'Parking.' At the end of that description, close the content with: "To continue the tour, you can say, what are the house rules"?. Continue that same pattern to cover the topics you would like guests to be aware of.
- You can apply the same concept to an overview of sightseeing options. Start with one content item that has the tag of 'Options for Sightseeing.' After providing a brief description, close the content description with: "To continue the sightseeing overview, say, give me information about Chinatown." Then have a content item with the tag of 'Chinatown.' At the end of that description, close the content with a suggestion to the next content item/tag. Be sure to test the phrases you suggest to make sure they result in your content being delivered.
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