Using the SWOT Analysis for Bloggers
Greetings Blog Family,
Today I want to talk to you about the SWOT Analysis. This is business planning tool that I picked up while studying marketing and want to help you apply it to your business as a blogger.
This is a very basic exercise designed to flush out your thoughts and details. The SWOT puts them in front of you and allows you to understand and navigate your future.
What Does SWOT mean?
It is an acronym.
S - Strengths
W - Weaknesses
O - Opportunities
T - Threats
The SWOT analysis gives you a chance to critically assess yourself as the proprietor of your blog business and resources. It is important to find out where you stand, how you can improve, and what opportunities are in your future.
How to Use the SWOT Analysis
Ok Blog Family, let’s get down to business. You can download the sample SWOT here and use it or get out a pen, paper, and/or your computer to create your own.
If you are creating your own, draw four cells large enough to accommodate your handwriting or font if using the computer. It should look like the one below. Truthfully, it can be as big or small as you like. This is an internal document, so be honest. No one has to ever find out the contents of your SWOT Analysis.
Each box represents one word in the acronym, like illustrated here. I think you know now know what comes next, but I will provide some commentary.
Strength
List your strengths as a blogger, organizer, researcher, coder, marketer, and business owner. What are your strong points? List them here. It could be great depth in a subject. This could be a niche in the future. Do you have a Word Tracker membership, access to a theme library? Are you a good writer, editor, or a funny person? Do you own video equipment, editing equipment, certain software products? Write it all down.
Some of my strengths are writing, researching, determination,
my blog network (What up Hood Family?)
Word Tracker
Blog Flipping Blueprint membership
I have an MBA
Background
Appraisal business owner
Credibility
I have been studying the net since 2004….but I just recently got serious about it.
Weaknesses
This is the same exercise, but it’s important you be honest. Remember, this is an internal document that will only be seen by you. It’s important because it will tell you where you can improve, get better and grow your business.
Again, some of my real examples:
Coding. I know basically nothing.
I lack a formal plan, although I am working on it almost daily.
My graphic design skills are suspect
Traffic generation
How to utilized social networks
Rash decision making
Inconsistency
Lack of follow through.
Ok, that is enough. I have to stop before I get depress and begin to try and convince myself that I should stop now. Hopefully, you are getting the picture that you should list everything.
Opportunities
This is the funnest box to me because I am always considering future opportunities. Important to write them down because you can map your couse to get there. We will cover this in another lesson.
The opportunities are all the possibilities that you see for you and your business AFTER having some initial success in your chosen direction. It is important to have some general success before branching into to many directions.
As an example, here are some of my opportunities
Squidoo - Word Vixen swears by it.
Twitter – Brilliant Jeni is addicted
Affiliate marketing – Normal Joe is always in my ear about this
SEO – Jarret Cade is my source for this information
Niche Sites
Blog Flipping
Joint Ventures
You could go as far as writing specific niches, join ventures and more.
I know I just about named every Internet marketing opportunity out there, so what am I doing now….Learning and building. I have a long way to go, so there is still a tremendous opportunity out there for me…and you for that matter.
Threats
Finally, let’s identify the threats facing your future. Doesn’t mean your scared, just not naive to believe it is going to be easy sailing all the time. So, that means you have to identify the treats. So, here are mine:
Arrogance over small success
Change in Technology
Economic instability
Bigger competition moving into my niche
Sure there are more, but that is enough to keep you up at night reading, studying, growing and doing/building your business. it’s enough for me and to keep you hungry.
Conclusion
The SWOT analysis is an excellent business tool that you should utilize to get more intimate with your blogging and business future. Planning is half the battle of success and this is a tool that you should utilize.
Have you ever used the SWOT Analysis or having any suggestions on how it could be utilized better in the business of blogging.
Thought is Possibility
First in the Mind, then in Reality!
33 Comments
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1:52 am on October 18th, 2008
I’m not just saying this Freddie, your videos are captivating, man. I wouldn’t have lasted through 30 seconds of “SWOT analysis” with anyone else. lol. There’s something about your delivery that I like.
That being said, I’m pretty sure all 4 SWOT would be stuffed full in my case. So, that’s probably even more reason to take advantage of laying it all out in front of me.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Cheers!
Jay
SuiteJs last blog post..How Justin Brooke Tried To Stop Me From Flipping Websites
2:17 am on October 18th, 2008
Thank, Suite J! Yeah, I guess the SWOT isn’t all that captivating of a subject, but I am a real nerd for this stuff. I love it. I guess that is why I studied business.
Go for it, dude! Write your own SWOT Analysis and get it in front on you. You will be surprised what you find. At least started because the truth is it is a work in progress.
Give it a shot!
3:30 am on October 18th, 2008
Good stuff mate! You really made me think about an important things: I work too much on my strength and not enough on my weaknesses! About future opportunities I’m really thinking about getting into video blogging. I see HUGE opportunities out there for video blogging and I’d like to get into this before it’s too late. You know, in 2 years there will be thousands of video blogs and it’s going to be harder to get in there.
Good video! btw, what program do you use for your video editing?
Ben – frogstr.coms last blog post..Google traffic + Your brand Rocks
4:25 am on October 18th, 2008
Hey Freddie, great video and post. I’ve heard about the SWOT analysis before from uhhmmmmm……somewhere lol I should probably make myself come up with one but it isn’t fun finding out what your weaknesses are.
Thanks for the link and mention
I don’t know if SEO would be a good description of my blog or at least not yet 
Working on the coding aspect first and then I’ll work on some SEO or maybe throw one or 2 posts in there over the next few weeks.
I suck at graphics as well and it’s half the reason why I hardly have any images on my blog’s theme. In fact, I don’t use any images at all! Not because I can’t do it, the whole reason was just because I wanted something plain and simple. I would like to work on my skills a bit though.
Keep up the great videos, I need to get into doing some videos.
Jarrets last blog post..Changing Colors In Your Blog’s Theme Using CSS
8:09 pm on October 18th, 2008
He-he.
SWOT can be a little difficult to wrap your brain around. It is a very valuable experience if taken seriously and an honest, insightful reflection of the answers is used.
Basic strategic planning. Yes, it’s even important for blogs!
George
Tumblemooses last blog post..I think the Editor was asleep
11:38 pm on October 18th, 2008
@ Ben – Don’t forget about your weaknesses. Don’t go overboard working on them because you definitely want to emphasis your strengths. However, whenever you hit a wall and you notice it is one of your weaknesses holding you back, take a moment and do some polishing on those skills. You will thank yourself.
Also, video blogging is going to only get bigger. Dip your toe in it now. It is fun and gives your readership a new medium to get to know you.
@ Jarret – No one likes to think about their weaknesses, but remember they don’t always have to be weaknesses. You can turn them into strengths…or at least make them average. LOL!
Yeah, you are not straight SEO, but you still give us that fire and I know more is coming. I should have called you the tutorial man! You are excellent at explaining information so even I can understand it.
@ Tumblemoose / George – Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to drop a comment. It is appreciated.
You are absolutely right. It is a very valuable experience when taken seriously…even for bloggers. That is why I kept saying to remember this is an internal document and no one has to know what you write down. Well, unless you share it in a video. LOL!
Be sure to check in on us and join the conversation!
5:11 pm on October 21st, 2008
Wow..Freddie that was an awesome video man. We did swot analysis in my business studies class back when I went school, but I just ignored it, thanks for the reminder.
Danny Coopers last blog post..A Lesson in Comment Etiquette
8:27 pm on October 21st, 2008
Exercises like this always bring forth a sense of direction and clarity once they are completed. I did a SWOT exercise during training when I was an Insurance Broker for a major financial institution – and it was amazing how much it helped me with productivity.
Once you’ve identified what your good and not so good at, it really makes completing tasks that much easier.
Elijahs last blog post..Success Starts With Your Socks
12:21 am on October 22nd, 2008
Freddie, you got skills man. I learned about SWOT analysis at school and hearing you talk about it made that concept so much easier. Its a great source of figuring out what you’re doing right and what you’re doing wrong. Seeing you talk about it made me realize that, the methodology behind SWOT analysis is a good tool in any kind of business. Great great video and you definitely got some really interesting videos man.
Enkay Blogs last blog post..Do You Inspire?
1:15 am on October 22nd, 2008
@ Danny – Glad you enjoyed the video. Yeah, the SWOT is something that will slip your, but can be incredibly useful…even to bloggers.
@ Elijah – You said it best, the clarity that comes from this exercise is amazing. Tells you what to continue to work on and where you can get better. What more could you ask from an exercise? Just very important to be honest.
@ Enkay – Thanks, bro. I do what I can with what I got, you know? I love the SWOT, but I am a big time business nerd. I just love this stuff. The SWOT has what you need to take your business thinking to the next level.
Glad you are liking the videos. I got many more planned.
4:46 am on October 22nd, 2008
It never occur to me to use SWOT analysis before, even though I’m constantly exploring myself and the competition. The only thing I don’t practice is to keep 4 boxes in writing. Good stuff, Fred…
Yan
Yan Shall Blogs last blog post..A – Z Blogging Guide for Beginners
5:01 am on October 22nd, 2008
@ Yan – If you are keeping an eye on this stuff, then you are on the right path, my friend. The boxes are not important, but the exercise of monitoring your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats is.
Keep up the great work!
5:16 am on October 22nd, 2008
Your article kinda reminds me to put them into writing as it’s supposed to condition your mind this way, right Fred? Let me get my paper first….so where do I put you into? Threat? or Opportunity?
Yan
Yan Shall Blogs last blog post..A – Z Blogging Guide for Beginners
12:22 pm on October 22nd, 2008
@ Yan – LOL! Good one. I would put me into Strengths and Opportunities. Strength because we are building a relationship. Opportunities because we have the chance to JV from that relationship.
Never a threat, I am too much of a team player for that. Must be my football background.
5:23 pm on October 22nd, 2008
LOL! Truth is I’ve placed you into “opportunities” somehow right at the get go. Looking forward to seeing how we could both leverage on our strengths.
Till then
Yan
6:07 pm on October 22nd, 2008
Good stuff, Yan! I look forward to working with you in the future and supporting your efforts. I am sure we can make beautiful business together!
That’s what it is all about, finding the Win-Win-Win for all involved. You, me, and the readership/clients/customers!
4:37 am on October 23rd, 2008
Sweet! I love getting mentioned on other people’s blogs.
I haven’t had a chance to watch the vid yet (usually at work when reading posts, and currently have a sleeping hubby next to me who would not appreciate it), but the post is excellent. I’ve seen the term SWOT before, but never knew what it meant.
WordVixens last blog post..You Wanna Make Some Money For Me?
1:32 pm on October 24th, 2008
Argh – the SWOT analysis is haunting me – I’m currently using it in Commerce at school and now it’s following me
Simon from Otooos last blog post..Technorati Authority Is Manipulated Too Easily
1:45 am on October 26th, 2008
@ WordVixen – You have played while the hubby was sleeping. He would have started to dream about the SWOT Analysis and start to love it as much as I do. LOL!
Let me know what you think once you get a chance to view it.
@ Simon – Running from will not save you! You must face the SWOT!
Freddies last blog post..Using the SWOT Analysis for Bloggers
5:20 am on October 31st, 2008
I really like what you had to say here! It\’s about time! Would you mind if I placed a link back from my blog?
12:55 am on November 6th, 2008
[...] Using The SWOT Analysis For Bloggers [...]
6:07 am on November 7th, 2008
hi freddie, I just saw the video from Ben Tremblay regarding SEO and marketing (thats where I got your link from). You, too are very good at video blogging (i think Ben got this ‘video’ concept from you) and I prefer watching video than reading the post
.
SWOT Analysis is really a very good tool to analyze yourself. The most important point, I found is ‘W’ (weakness), I have jotted them down and need to work on them. Thanks for sharing this tool and I would be now visiting your blog, often, to keep myself open to new ideas and approaches like these. Thumbs up to your effort.
Here is my blog : Cars On rOll
Riturajs last blog post..Project Splitwheel : Design Your Car
11:42 am on December 12th, 2008
@ Rituraj – Thank you for visiting my corner of the blogosphere. Yeah, Froggy is a good guy and has really taken to video blogging..and doing well at it as well.
Good to hear you are feeling the SWOT. People don’t like to respect it or suffer the pain that comes from an honest look at ones self. The SWOT is at the heart of that.
Great tool, work on the those weaknesses, but don’t forget to accent your strengths!
10:11 am on January 9th, 2009
Nice post. Just discovered this blog – new to me in 2009 – so I’ll be coming back for more useful comment. Happy new year to all
10:14 am on January 9th, 2009
@ Marie – Glad you found me and like what you read/saw. Awesome! I look forward to building, growing, and getting to know you.
Happy new year!
2:37 pm on January 27th, 2009
nice work freddy, sharing the love from the MBA, i’m sure. my boss was well on his way to a phd in marketing from florida, and we break things down like this at least once a month at our company.
Matty Bylooss last blog post..Monday Reading List 1.26.09
2:41 pm on January 27th, 2009
Thanks Matty, that was fun. I should share more of that stuff. You got to love it. Sounds like you have a great work environment.
12:59 pm on January 28th, 2009
It’s pretty solid. I highly recommend if any of your readers is in a position of leadership, even the smartest of the bunch won’t suffer from guidance and transparency in the workplace. It’s always nice to hear from the captain exactly where the ship’s heading…
Matty Bylooss last blog post..Raveonettes at the Henry Fonda Theater
6:55 pm on February 1st, 2009
using swot for blogs is an excellent way to analyze and help improve your performance to reach your individual blog goals. thanks for this idea.
mma gears last blog post..The Blade Tapout MMA Shorts
1:02 pm on March 27th, 2009
Lol. This is a good example of SWOT analysis. Also, it is applicable for any webmaster
3:19 pm on May 15th, 2009
Wow! that's really amazing
1:55 pm on June 10th, 2009
You have a very interesting post. The tips are also very timely. This should be read by all blogger enthusiasts. Thanks for sharing. I'll keep your tips in mind.
10:15 pm on June 10th, 2009
Thank you! I am glad that you enjoyed the post and hope I can keep cranking out the goodness for you.