AI Prompt to Generate a SWOT Analysis
Get a genuinely specific SWOT analysis instead of generic, one-size-fits-all business advice.
The Prompt
Create a SWOT analysis for this business: [DESCRIBE THE BUSINESS, ITS MARKET, AND CURRENT SITUATION IN 3-4 SENTENCES]. For each of the 4 quadrants (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats), give 3-4 specific points — not generic business advice. Each point should be something that is actually true or plausible for THIS business, not a template answer that could apply to any company. After the SWOT, give one specific recommended action based on the analysis.
Example
Business: a solo-run print-on-demand Etsy shop selling woodworking-themed merch, competing against larger multi-niche POD sellers, currently getting traffic mostly from Pinterest.
Strengths noting niche focus and authentic community credibility; Weaknesses noting single-founder bandwidth and reliance on one traffic source; Opportunities noting untapped Instagram/TikTok audiences; Threats noting Etsy fee changes and larger sellers undercutting on price — followed by one recommendation to diversify traffic beyond Pinterest first.
Tips for Better Results
- Give real, specific details about your situation — the more specific your input, the less generic the output will be.
- Push back if any point feels generic: "that Weakness applies to every small business, give me something specific to my situation."
- Use the single recommended action as a starting point, not a full strategy — ask a follow-up to expand on it if it's useful.
FAQ
What's the difference between Weaknesses and Threats?
Weaknesses are internal factors within your control (e.g. limited budget, skill gaps), while Threats are external factors outside your control (e.g. new competitors, platform policy changes) — this distinction matters for deciding what you can actually act on directly.
How often should a SWOT analysis be redone?
Revisiting it every 6-12 months, or after a major market or business change, keeps it useful — a SWOT done once and never revisited tends to go stale quickly.