How to Get Started with Alexa Skill Blueprints for Higher Education

We are excited to announce that now anyone can create and publish an Alexa skill in minutes, with no coding required, using Alexa Skill Blueprints. Skill Blueprints enable anyone to create and share customized Alexa skills simply by filling in the blanks to one of dozens of easy-to-use templates. Now, anyone can publish skills created using Alexa Skill Blueprints to the Alexa Skills Store in the US for customers to discover, use, and review. We’re also excited to announce new Skill Blueprints built specifically for content creators, bloggers, and organizations, so they can reach anyone with an Alexa-enabled device – with no coding required – adding to the more than 80,000 skills already available to customers in the Alexa Skills Store.

Enable Customers to Just Ask Alexa to Access Your Latest Content

Universities can use the new University blueprints to make their live and recorded audio content accessible on Alexa-enabled devices. You just add your audio feed URL to the Skill Blueprint, customize the welcome and exit messages for your skill, then submit your skill for certification. Once your skill is reviewed and published to the Alexa Skills Store, customers can access your live and recorded content, just by asking Alexa. We’ve also added the Flash Briefing, Blog, and Spiritual Talks blueprints to our Businesses and Organizations category.

Businesses, Brands, and Organizations Can Use the Entire Blueprint Selection to Publish Their Content

In addition to the new Skill Blueprints, we’ve also enabled publication of skills via Skill Blueprints from the dozens of Skill Blueprints already available, making it easy for organizations and content creators to create and publish an Alexa skill for a variety of scenarios, including allowing tutors and students to use the Flashcards, Facts, and Quiz blueprints to help students use Alexa to help them learn new concepts, retain information, and prepare for that next exam.

How to Get Started with Alexa Skill Blueprints

Follow these three steps to start creating your skill with Skill Blueprints:

1. Select your Skill Blueprint. Visit blueprints.amazon.com to browse dozens of Skill Blueprints across six categories.
2. Unleash your creativity by adding your own content. Each blueprint comes with pre-filled content that can be used as-is or customized as you like. You can create, modify, and test the skill until you are satisfied with your content.
3. Complete your skill and decide whether to keep your skill personal to your Alexa-enabled devices associated with your Amazon account, share it with friends and family, or publish it so anyone can discover, use, and review your skill.

There is no limit to the number of skills you can create. Visit blueprints.amazon.com/build-with-blueprints to learn more and start building your Alexa skill today. Getting started is as simple as filling in the blanks. We can’t wait to see what you create.