Brian Dean, founder of Backlinko, has mastered the art of crafting long-form, impactful articles on white hat SEO. His blog features just 32 posts, yet these meticulously crafted pieces have earned him 80,000+ subscribers and 100,000+ monthly readers, proving the power of quality over quantity.
Here’s a breakdown of Brian Dean’s step-by-step framework for writing massive, high-performing articles ranging from 4,000 to 8,000 words:
1. Start with a Killer Idea or Goal
- Every great article begins with a clear purpose. Brian focuses on creating “kick-butt, epic, amazing content” that delivers unique value to his audience.
- The idea should solve a specific problem, address a pressing question, or provide actionable insights in your niche.
2. Create a Big-Picture Outline
- Before diving into details, map out the major sections of your article.
- This helps establish a logical flow, ensuring that your readers stay engaged from start to finish.
3. Build a Detailed Outline
- Once the big picture is in place, break it down further into subtopics, examples, data points, and action steps.
- This granular structure ensures that your content is thorough, well-organized, and easy to follow.
4. Write in Small, Focused Batches
- Use the Pomodoro Technique, working in focused 60-minute intervals to tackle one section or idea at a time.
- This approach helps avoid overwhelm and ensures consistent progress toward completing your first draft.
- Repeat these focused sessions until draft #1 is done—even if it’s messy.
5. Edit Relentlessly Until Perfection
- The real magic happens during editing. Brian meticulously refines his content, ensuring every word and sentence is clear, concise, and impactful.
- Remove fluff, simplify complex ideas, and make sure each section delivers maximum value.
- Aim for a polished final piece that readers find impossible to ignore.
Why This Framework Works
- Depth Over Breadth: By focusing on long-form, high-value content, Brian positions himself as an authoritative voice in the SEO space.
- Structure Equals Scalability: The detailed outline and batch writing process prevent writer’s block and keep the workflow manageable.
- Relentless Quality Control: Perfecting every sentence ensures his articles consistently exceed reader expectations, leading to higher shares, backlinks, and engagement.
By following this framework, you can create epic, high-performing content that not only attracts readers but also builds trust and authority in your niche. Ready to try it out?