Scraping the Skyscraper: Innovative Link Building Strategies

You know, when it comes to SEO, link building is often the hardest part. There are so many strategies out there, it can make your head spin! But fortunately, I recently had the chance to chat with the one and only Brian Dean – the mastermind behind the famous “Skyscraper Technique.”

Brian’s been at the forefront of link building for years, and I was dying to pick his brain on the latest trends and data-driven strategies. Let me tell you, the guy is a walking encyclopedia of link building knowledge. I mean, his website Backlinko is like a holy grail for SEOs.

So, sit back, grab a cuppa, and let me share the juicy insights I gleaned from my chat with the link building legend himself. This is gonna be good.

The Evolution of Link Building

Brian and I kicked things off by talking about how link building has changed over the years. He explained that while some old-school tactics like directory submissions and article marketing have fallen by the wayside, there are still plenty of effective strategies that stand the test of time.

“The fundamentals of link building haven’t really changed that much,” Brian told me. “It’s still all about creating amazing content that people actually want to link to. But the specific tactics and approaches have definitely evolved.”

One of the biggest shifts, according to Brian, is the rise of data-driven link building. “These days, it’s not enough to just churn out content and hope for the best,” he said. “You need to be strategic, using tools and analytics to identify the best link building opportunities.”

The Skyscraper Technique: Reaching New Heights

Of course, I had to ask Brian about his renowned Skyscraper Technique. This link building strategy, which he first wrote about on his blog, has become legendary in the SEO world.

“The Skyscraper Technique is all about finding popular content in your niche, and then creating something even better,” Brian explained. “It’s like building a skyscraper – you want to find the tallest building and then add a few more floors to make yours the biggest and best.”

But Brian was quick to point out that the Skyscraper Technique isn’t just about creating great content. “The real magic happens when you reach out to the people who are already linking to the original piece,” he said. “You essentially say, ‘Hey, check out my awesome new content – it’s way better than what you’re currently linking to.'”

Brian shared a great example of how he used the Skyscraper Technique to boost traffic to his own site. “I found a popular post on Hubspot about Google My Business, and I decided to create an even more comprehensive guide,” he said. “I reached out to all the sites that were linking to the Hubspot post, and a bunch of them ended up linking to my guide instead. It was a game-changer.”

Leveraging Data for Link Building Success

As we dug deeper into Brian’s link building strategies, it became clear that data is a key component of his approach. “You can’t just wing it when it comes to link building,” he told me. “You need to use tools and analytics to identify the best opportunities and track your progress.”

One of Brian’s go-to tools is SEMrush, which he uses to analyze his competitors’ backlink profiles. “I’ll look for pages that are ranking well and have tons of backlinks,” he said. “That’s a sure sign that the content is doing something right, and it could be a great target for the Skyscraper Technique.”

Brian also loves using Link Assistant for his link prospecting and outreach efforts. “The tool makes it super easy to find contact info for potential linkers, and it even helps you craft personalized outreach emails,” he said. “It’s a huge time-saver.”

Thinking Outside the Box

But link building isn’t just about following a formula, according to Brian. “You’ve also got to get creative and think outside the box,” he told me. “Some of my most successful link building campaigns have come from unexpected places.”

For example, Brian shared a story about how he used a quirky microsite to earn a ton of links. “I created this little site all about the history of the shopping cart,” he said. “It was totally random, but it ended up getting links from all sorts of ecommerce and retail blogs. People just loved the quirkiness of it.”

Brian also emphasized the importance of leveraging emotions and personal stories in your link building efforts. “People are much more likely to link to content that evokes a strong emotional response,” he explained. “Whether it’s awe, anger, or even a good laugh, tapping into those feelings can be a game-changer.”

Putting it All Together

As our conversation drew to a close, Brian left me with one final piece of advice: “Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things,” he said. “Link building is always evolving, so you’ve got to be willing to think outside the box and stay ahead of the curve.”

And that’s exactly what I plan to do. Armed with Brian’s insights and the power of data-driven link building, I’m confident that I can take my agency’s SEO efforts to new heights. Bring on those skyscrapers, baby!