Do Your SWOT And Stop Failing So Much

by jazbo
5 replies
You may or may not have heard of a "SWOT Analysis". If not here is how it can help you.

Get a piece of paper and draw a line across the middle both ways to create four boxes. Then write in them (from top left)

STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
OPPORTUNITIES
THREATS

Now consider your next marketing project and write down everything you can think of relating to that launch in terms of its viability.


For example, a strength might be you can find only mild competition in that niche.

A weakness might be that the most obvious keyword has some big gun sites in the top ten.

An opportunity could be something like you know someone who can write content on this for a low price.

A threat might be that you need to create X and you are not sure if you have the skill to do it well.


So basically it helps you to take an honest look at your ideas, and to force you to consider them from four angles. I have found that doing a SWOT Analysis can give you pause for thought, and can stop you jumping in too quick to do what you think is a great idea but actually isn't in the cold light of scrutiny.

I would certainly recommend any newbie gives it a try before starting their first project.
#failing #stop #swot
  • Profile picture of the author Jason Z
    I've never actually heard of SWOT before. I'm a big list maker but have never outlined it specifically like that before.

    I do agree that whether it's a SWOT list or some other form, it is important to have some form of outline for your plan before you start. Or else you might find yourself a few days away from launch with a product that is destined to fail.
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    Co-Founder of the Local Profit Model Training Program for Offline Consultants

    Jason Zimmerman is an offline marketing and consulting professional. He has been developing web sites and digital marketing plans for local businesses since 2000.
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  • Profile picture of the author TaiZejan
    In my MBA classes all we do are case studies which need to include SWOT analysis'

    It's a very effective tool to utilize that will quickly let you know where you stand, what you have to improve on, or what you should outsource.
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    I am willing to do today what other's aren't, so I can live tomorrow, how other's can't.

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  • Profile picture of the author Derek Salfen
    I'm having marketing class flashbacks... what could have been the most interesting class of my undergrad experience was cruelly boring.

    But you nailed it... anyone can do SWOT analysis, noone does though!
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    • Profile picture of the author TaiZejan
      Originally Posted by Derek Salfen View Post

      I'm having marketing class flashbacks... what could have been the most interesting class of my undergrad experience was cruelly boring.

      But you nailed it... anyone can do SWOT analysis, noone does though!
      haha that's funny. Marketing classes provided the most workable tools, but I agree.. also the most boring. My professor always went on about optimum value propositions, and would always ask us if we drank the marketing kool-aid!
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      I am willing to do today what other's aren't, so I can live tomorrow, how other's can't.

      Are you?
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  • Profile picture of the author Michelle Strait
    I'm glad I clicked this post. At first I was thinking, SWOT, eh...blah. Turns out this is some of the most useful information I've read today!
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