SWOTting up

 2015 is Authorpreneur Almanac year. 

Join me in my 365 Adventures in Writing and Entrepreneurship...

Author [aw-ther] = A person who writes a novel, poem, essay, etc.; the composer of a literary work, as distinguished from a compiler, translator, editor, or copyist.

Entrepreneur [ahn-truh-pruh-nur]  = A person who organises and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.

There is a space where being an entrepreneur and being a writer converge...

When we create something new, whether it's an enterprise or a literary work we are embarking on a project. 

• Every project needs a plan.

• Every plan uses tools to execute it.

Why SWOT is a Great Tool for Authors

In the 1960's Albert Humphrey, of Stanford Research Institute, was credited with creating a really simple analysis tool.

A SWOT analysis is a structured planning method used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats impacting on a project.

It’s a familiar, tried and tested way of taking a strategic overview and is an integral part of any project plan.


It is about knowing the internal and external forces impacting on what ever it is you are trying to achieve. The analysis is usually shown as a grid:

Know yourself, know the landscape you are operating within. 

By showing it on a grid you can see quickly if there is any imbalance. For example; if there are lots of Threats and very few Opportunities, that's a potentially risky proposition as there are more negative external forces impacting on you than positive.

You can use this tool to determine goals for yourself. For example; you identify a potential weaknes in your offering and can then take steps to improve it.

Action for Authors

Conduct a SWOT analysis on your book. Ask yourself some questions and plot the answers out on a SWOT grid:

(These are some suggested questions, think of more that are specific to you)

Strengths:

• What's good about your book? 
• What are your personal strengths as an author?

Weaknesses:

• Where is the book weak?
• What skills/experience do I lack? 
• What am I afraid of? 
• Is there something I need help with?

Opportunities:

• Is there an event or activity I could get involved in?
• Is there something happening related to my book that I could use in my marketing? ie: An historic milestone? A topical issue? A trend?
• Can I use technology to do something different?
• Does my book appeal to a specific niche?

Threats:

• Who am I competing with? (1 million books are published every year, but not all of them necessarily appeal to your readers. Be specific.) 
• Are there any changes in the publishing industry that may affect me?

Once you have populated your grid you can then look at how to maximise the strengths, overcome weaknesses, capitalise on opportunities and minimise the risk of threats.

Ta Dah! Now you have the makings of a plan, something to keep you focused and on track. Do one thing every day to move forward. 

 
Dream Big, Start Small.


What planning tools do you find useful?