What is Skyscraper Technique?
The skyscraper technique is a link building tactic wherein you identify high-ranking content with many backlinks. You then create a better version of that content and ask the sites linking to the other content to link to yours.
The skyscraper technique capitalizes on existing demand. Instead of hoping websites will link to your content, you identify content that has already earned backlinks, create superior versions of such pages, and pitch them to those same linking opportunities.
This approach eliminates much of the guesswork involved in content creation. Instead of creating content you hope will perform, you develop content that already performs well and get backlinks to it. It is the brainchild of Brian Dean of Backlinko, who promoted it as a great way to get high-quality backlinks fast.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Skyscraper Technique
The skyscraper technique involves several activities, including content research, content creation, prospect research, email outreach, and link building. It gives little room for guesswork, so follow the steps below to execute it correctly.
1 Uncover High-Performing Content
The first step is to perform keyword o topic research to find high-performing content that has been published on other sites. Optionally, you can focus on executing competitor research to uncover high-performing content published by your competitor.
You will require an SEO tool like Semrush or Ahrefs for this part. However, this time, instead of focusing on the palabras clave, you will pay attention to content with many backlinks. Any content with 50 or more backlinks would work.
Overall, if you perform keyword research, take note of the content with lots of quality backlinks. Optionally, enter your competitor’s URL into the SEO tool to uncover which of their content has the most backlinks.
2 Create Something Better (10x Content)
The next step is to create content that is way better than the top-performing content. Specifically, you want to create 10x content.
Such 10x content should be longer, fresher, and more in-depth than what your prospects already link to. If the original article contains 30 entries, increase yours to 50. If it was relevant for the previous year, create yours for the current year.
Your 10x content should also stand out in terms of media and design. It should include interactive elements where possible and should have more media and illustrations than is available in the original article.
You can also include unique insights into your content. For example, your content can include expert interviews, unique research, and case studies. Overall, create something way better than anything else that is available out there.
3 Identify Your Backlink Prospects
Now, you have to get eyes to your content. You do this using outreach. Specifically, email outreach. However, in this case, you want to contact the bloggers who linked to the initial content.
Note that email outreach is an important aspect of the skyscraper technique. In fact, it could as well be the most important, so you want to take this part very seriously.
To get started, enter the URL of the initial article into your SEO research tool. You may want to use the filters available in the tool to ensure you only end up with relevant backlinks.
For example, if your content is in English, you can set a language filter to ensure it only returns links to English-language content. You will also want to focus on sites with considerable authority while ignoring the spammy ones.
You may also only select sites that publish dofollow links. Nofollow links are also helpful. However, dofollow links are better and should be your priority unless the site is highly authoritative. Once done, download the backlinks into a spreadsheet file.
4 Find Your Prospect’s Email
Now, perform a simple Google search to find the founder or author of the site containing the link pointing to the initial content. (Note: You can outsource this to freelancers on Fiverr or Upwork. However, you should do a few yourself so you have an idea of what you want.)
Once done, upload your spreadsheet containing the blogger’s name and site URL to an email finder tool like hunter.io or findymail. Those tools will help you find the emails of the bloggers linking to the initial content.
5 Reach Out to Your Prospect
It is time to reach out to the bloggers. Let them know they have linked to a similar article, and you have created something better, and you want them to link to you. Do not directly ask them for a link. However, structure your email so they know you want them to link to you.
You could use the email template below:
Subject line: An up-to-date resource for your audience
Hi [Name],
I noticed you linked to [summary of their anchor text] in your article at [their article URL].
I recently published an updated version with [specify your improvement].
Thought it might be a better fit for your readers. Here is a link to it: [your article URL].
Let me know if you would consider adding it to your content.
Saludos,
[Your name]
For example, if they linked to an article on yoga poses, and you just published something better, you could send them an email like:
Hi Jon,
I noticed you linked to the tiger yoga pose in your article at example.com/best-yoga-poses.
I recently published an updated version that includes an interactive image of the tiger pose. Your visitors can adjust the image’s view to see it from multiple angles and confirm they are doing the pose correctly.
We also added an infographic to educate your visitors on the health benefits of the tiger pose.
Thought it might be a better fit for your readers. Here is a link to it: yourdomain.com/tiger-pose.
Let me know if you would consider adding it to your content.
Saludos,
Rohan
6 Follow Up on Your Prospect
Once done, you should make sure to monitor your emails for responses. Some bloggers would reply, while others would not. For those who respond, make sure to reply to them as quickly as possible.
For those who do not, make sure to send them an email follow-up the following week. You can follow up once or twice. Thereafter, do not message them anymore.
Final Notes on the Skyscraper Technique
The skyscraper technique is built around cold emailing. That is, emailing people who do not know you and did not consent to receiving your emails. So, it is good practice to stick to cold emailing best practices.
Your email service provider would also have guidelines with regard to how you use their service. In certain territories, there may be laws requiring how to reach out to cold email prospects. Make sure to review such guidelines and laws to avoid potential issues.
It is also recommended to create one or more custom email addresses to send these cold emails. If you have an established authority, set up those emails on your domain. Otherwise, you should purchase a new domain for your cold emails.
If you buy a new domain, ensure the name does not sound spammy or sales-ly. The email address must also have a real name. For example, john@yourdomain.com. Avoid generic-sounding emails like like admin@yourdomain.com and outreach@yourdomain.com.
You should also warm your emails. That is, you should send emails from that address to your other addresses and maybe those of a few family and friends (with their permission, of course). Make sure you all open those emails. Thereafter, you can begin emailing your prospects.
Start with a few prospects and steadily increase the number over time. If a prospect responds and says they do not want to be emailed anymore, remove them from your outreach immediately and never email them again.