Brian Dean, the founder of Backlinko, is widely known for publishing some of the highest-quality content in the SEO space. But here’s what makes him unique:
- He’s published just 32 blog posts — total.
- Yet he’s built an audience of 80,000+ email subscribers and drives over 100,000 monthly readers.
- No fluff. No filler. Just long-form, evergreen, high-ROI content.
So what’s his secret?
It’s not just SEO tactics — it’s his writing process.
Brian uses a repeatable framework to create his famous 4,000–8,000-word blog posts that rank, convert, and get shared everywhere.
Here’s his 5-step framework for creating content that truly stands out.
1. Nail the Idea & Set a Clear Goal
Before he types a single word, Brian gets crystal clear on two things:
- What’s the topic?
Not just any topic — it needs to be strategically valuable, in-demand, and aligned with user intent. He often chooses evergreen SEO-focused keywords with high search volume and business value. - What’s the goal of the article?
Is it to get backlinks? Educate new readers? Drive email sign-ups? Rank for a competitive term?
🧠 “If the topic doesn’t solve a big problem or answer a big question, it’s not worth writing.” — Brian Dean
2. Create a “Big Picture” Outline
Once the topic and goal are set, he maps out the macro structure of the post.
This includes:
- Intro
- Key sections (based on search intent and user journey)
- A rough flow of content
- Major takeaways
He treats the blog post like a mini eBook — designed to guide the reader from confusion to clarity.
3. Break It Down with a Detailed Outline
Now he zooms in.
Each section from the big picture outline gets broken down into:
- Subheadings (H2s, H3s)
- Bullet points of what to cover under each
- Notes on examples, data, images, or references to include
By the time he finishes this step, the article is almost “pre-written” — it’s just waiting to be fleshed out.
✍️ Pro tip: Use tools like Google’s “People Also Ask” and competitor content to find gaps and must-cover points.
4. Write in Focused, Pomodoro-Style Batches
Brian doesn’t try to write 5,000 words in one go. Instead, he:
- Writes in Pomodoro-style sessions — usually 60-minute blocks
- Aims to complete one section at a time
- Takes breaks to recharge and return with fresh eyes
This helps him avoid burnout and keeps the quality high.
No distractions. No multitasking. Just focused output.
⏱️ “I treat writing like lifting weights. You go in, do the work, rest, and repeat.” — Brian Dean
5. Ruthlessly Edit Until It’s Flawless
Once the first draft is done, the real work begins: editing.
Brian goes through multiple passes, improving:
- Clarity: Are ideas easy to understand?
- Brevity: Can anything be cut without losing meaning?
- Flow: Do sections transition smoothly?
- Voice: Is it conversational and on-brand?
- Formatting: Are there visual breaks, bullets, and skimmable sections?
He trims the fat and sharpens every sentence — because in long-form content, every word counts.
Final Thought: Quality > Quantity
Brian Dean’s success proves that you don’t need to publish weekly to win.
You need to publish strategically — and obsess over quality.
With just 32 posts, he’s built a site that ranks for hundreds of competitive keywords, earns links from top-tier websites, and consistently grows his audience.
🔁 Recap: Brian Dean’s 5-Step Writing Framework
- Choose a high-impact idea with a clear business goal.
- Sketch a big picture outline to shape the reader journey.
- Break it into a detailed outline with subheadings and points.
- Write in focused, Pomodoro-style sessions to build momentum.
Edit meticulously until every sentence earns its place.