All-in-One Guide to Master Skyscraper Technique

The skyscraper method involves finding competitive content that currently gets links and high engagement. What is the goal? To develop outstanding content that other websites can't help but link with.

Just like the tallest structure in a city draws attention, the top resource in your niche receives those valuable backlinks. It's like you "steal" those links by excelling in current content and building the road for a link-rich future.

What is the Skyscraper Technique?
How to Use the Skyscraper Technique

• Niche Content With a High Number of Backlinks
• Create Your Skyscraper Content
• Reach Your Right Audience

Does the Skyscraper Technique Still Work?
Why does the Skyscraper Technique Fail?

• Using an Outdated Email Template
• Failure to Segment Your Target Audience
• Not Engaging Enough People
• Big Works Better
• Lack to Consider Brand

How to Still Make It Work?

What is the Skyscraper Technique?

The Skyscraper Technique was an effective link-building tactic coined by Brian Dean in 2015. In layman's terms, it consists of three major steps:

1. Find high-performing content in your niche that already has a lot of backlinks.
2. Improve, expand, and value the content by making it better, more detailed, and useful.
3. Contact the appropriate people and encourage them to link to your re-written content.

This strategy is based on the assumption that website owners naturally desire to link to the greatest resources accessible. By improving existing content, you want to "steal" important backlinks and lay the groundwork for long-term link growth.

Now, let's go over each stage and see how the Skyscraper Technique can help you propel your link-building game.

How to Use the Skyscraper Technique

Let us now discuss the first crucial step of the Skyscraper Technique:-

Niche Content With a High Number of Backlinks

Use Site Explorer

Step 1: Use the Ahrefs Site Explorer- Go to Ahrefs and select the Site Explorer tool.
Step 2: Browse to the Competitor's Website. Enter the URL of a competitor or a major player in your niche.
Step 3: Look into the "Best by Links" report. See the most linked-to content on the website.
Step 4: Explore the Top-Linked Content to determine what draws backlinks.

Use Content Explorer

Step 1: Log in to Ahrefs and go to Content Explorer.
Step 2: Enter niche-specific keywords or topics
Step 3: Look through the results for "highly linked content" paying special attention to articles or content pieces with a high number of backlinks.
Step 4: Simplify the content to choose ones for creating better content.

Use Keywords Explorer

Step 1: Return to Ahrefs and click on the Keywords Explorer in the tool option.
Step 2: Look for keywords that are relevant and high-ranking in your niche.
Step 3: Find content with Strong Backlinks. 
Step 4: Look for keywords with a significant amount of backlinks. 
Step 5: Copy them to use and arrange in your content piece further.

Create Your Skyscraper Content

Now that you've listed your competitors, it's time to compete with them. The magic happens when you create the tallest skyscraper. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Carefully analyze the content you've selected. Recognize its strengths and weaknesses, as well as the reasons it is getting backlinks.
2. Write 100x content by adding new thoughts, data, and opinions that improve current content.
3. Use appealing visuals, including images, infographics, and statistics to improve the user experience.
4. Divide the text into manageable chunks using headers, bullet points, and brief paragraphs.

Pro Tip: 

Your goal is to improve rather than imitate. Make your content the go-to resource in your niche by showing significant value.

Reach Your Right Audience

You've created a work of art; now let's make sure it's viewed by the correct audience. The "Reach out to the Right Audience" phase is about strategic communication. Here's your strategic roadmap:

1. Find influencers and voices of opinion in your niche who would be interested in your optimized content.
2. Tools such as Ahrefs, Semrush, and even a basic Google search help in analyzing these major competitors.
3. Make your outreach communications more personalized. Mention specific features of their work that coordinate with your topic.
4. Explain why your content is valuable to them and how it enhances what they have in terms of content.
5. Tools like Respona, Snov.io, and even basic Gmail can help you automate your outreach operations.
6. Leverage mail merging options, auto follow-ups, and analytics to improve the performance of your reach.

Pro Tip:

Focus on creating connections with influential individuals. Genuine links lead to long-term collaborations and improved visibility.

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Does the Skyscraper Technique Still Work?

Now for the big question: Does the Skyscraper Technique still work for SEO? The answer is- Indeed, but performance depends on how you handle it. Here is how you can do this:

1. Stay up-to-date on the latest developments in your industry. Your skyscraper should meet, if not go over, current content standards.
2. It is not about producing an infinite amount of information; it is rather creating content with richness and relevance. Prioritize quality over quantity.
3. Improve consistent user interaction. Make sure the content is mobile-friendly, user-friendly, and appealing to the eye.
4. Include multimedia elements including photos, films, and interactive features. Make your content shareable and entertaining.
5. When reaching out to influencers, be real. Make connections based on common interests and values.
6. Consistency is essential. Update and optimize your material regularly to preserve its relevancy and credibility.

Pro Tip:

The algorithms of search engines change often, and your strategy should, too. Keep an eye out for system upgrades and develop your strategy as needed.

You will not only ensure that the Skyscraper Technique remains effective, but you will also establish your content as the towering lighthouse in your niche.

Why does the Skyscraper Technique Fail?

Let's look more closely at the Skyscraper Technique's potential dangers. Understanding these details is essential for a pleasant journey. Here's how it works:

Using an Outdated Email Template

Sending outreach emails with an out-of-date format is like wearing last season's outfits - it makes a bad first impression. Maintain your email strategy by changing and honing your new outreach technique. Personalization and relevance are the keys to capturing the attention of influencers.
Solution: Stay Updated

Failure to Segment Your Target Audience

Because not all influencers are the same, one-size-fits-all outreach is ineffective. Avoid the pitfalls of generic communication by defining your audience. Learn about their hobbies and preferences and then target your approach to them. A personalized strategy demonstrates that you've done your research and raises the likelihood of a positive response.
Solution: Focus on Your Target Audience

Not Engaging Enough People

A common roadblock is a lack of reach. Don't put all your eggs in the same basket. Connect with a wider range of influencers to expand your marketing efforts. The more you reach out, the more opportunities will present themselves.
Solution: Expand your horizon

Big Works Better

Everything works well when quality serves your compass. Don't fall into the trap of choosing quantity above quality. Identify influencers who share your values and are truly interested in your content. Backlinks from meaningful connections are more likely to be valuable.
Solution: Prioritize quality over quantity

Lack to Consider Brand

Your brand is your identity, and it should shine through in all of your communications. Don't let your brand image suffer in the pursuit of backlinks. Incorporate brand aspects into your messaging in an effortless way. A strong and recognized image can increase the value of your content to influencers.
Solution: Work on brand image

Pro Tip:

We should view failures as beginnings. Analyze failed outreach as an opportunity to improve your plan. Adapt and learn from each engagement, taking comments and insights into account.

How to Still Make It Work?

The Skyscraper Technique has its barriers, but it still has its way. Here's how you can put it back on track for profitable outcomes:

• Look at previous outreach failures. Identify patterns, learn what didn't work, and apply this knowledge to improve your strategy.
• Adapt to new email writing techniques and tools. Experiment with headlines, content, and call-to-action buttons. A/B testing can help you figure out what works best.
• Make your message truly personalized. Include insights about the creator's work and explain why your content is relevant to their interests. 
• Extend your reach beyond emails. Engage with social media and influential people. Share their content, participate in debates, and build organic connections.
• Change your emphasis from immediate backlinks to connection building. Meaningful contacts frequently result in long-term collaborations and organic link placements.

Key Takeaways!

As we conclude our exploration of the Skyscraper Technique, let us simplify the important insights that would help you with the skyscraper technique in SEO.

1. Constant Growth: As the digital market shifts, so should your approach. To stay ahead of the curve, adopt a mindset of constant evolution.
2. The Importance of Creativity: Don't be afraid to experiment. The Skyscraper Technique is an old technique but with some creative content, it is effective.
3. Strategy and Analysis: Statistics are your guide. Measure the performance of your skyscraper content regularly, evaluate statistics, and make data-driven decisions.
4. Work in Collaboration: Teamwork is essential in the age of digital media. Connect with influencers, interact with your audience, and build a community around your work.
5. Stay True to Your Brand: Your brand is your pillar. Maintain your brand's authenticity and collaboration while hunting for backlinks.

FAQs

What is the skyscraper technique?

The Skyscraper Technique is a link-building technique that involves identifying high-performing content with backlinks from various sources, developing an enhanced version of that content, and presenting it as an alternative linking option to publishers. The objective is to enhance your backlink profile by providing superior content.

Why does the skyscraper technique fail?

The skyscraper technique fails because of the following reasons:

• Using an Outdated Email Template
• Failure to Segment Your Target Audience
• Not Engaging Enough People
• Big Works Better
• Lack to Consider Brand

Does the skyscraper technique still work for SEO?

Yes, the skyscraper technique still works for SEO but performance depends on how you handle it. Being real while reaching the influencers, being consistent, including multimedia elements, and making sure the content is user-friendly and mobile-friendly are a few steps to make the skyscraper technique work for SEO.