Brian Dean Exclusive Interview [+ Why Sell Backlinko?]

TL;DR

Brian Dean discusses his career, SEO insights, and Backlinko sale.

Transcript

i'm about to interview brian dean if you don't already know who brian dean is he's kind of a big deal in the seo scene he's got nearly 500 000 subs on youtube he's the owner of exploding topics he has multiple courses on seo and is most prominently known as the owner of backlinko.com a prolific seo blog that ranks for pretty much everything or shou... Read More

Key Insights

• Brian Dean transitioned from a nutrition background to SEO, discovering his passion after reading 'The 4-Hour Work Week'.
• Backlinko, a leading SEO blog, was sold to SEMRush in a strategic acquisition, allowing Dean to focus on new ventures.
• Dean emphasizes the importance of scaling and delegating work to grow a successful business.
• Exploding Topics, Dean's new project, focuses on trend discovery and is gaining traction as a subscription-based service.
• Skyscraper Technique was pivotal for Backlinko's growth, highlighting the importance of creating high-quality, linkable content.
• Dean advises starting with low-competition keywords for new websites to build authority gradually.
• He believes E-A-T is primarily influenced by backlinks, rather than on-page author credentials.
• Dean stresses the importance of optimism and perseverance in overcoming business challenges.

Questions & Answers

Q: What led Brian Dean to transition from nutrition to SEO?

Brian Dean initially pursued a career in nutrition, obtaining a master's degree and starting a PhD program. However, dissatisfaction with his program and advisor led him to explore other opportunities. Reading 'The 4-Hour Work Week' by Timothy Ferriss inspired him to become an entrepreneur, eventually leading him to the SEO industry.

Q: Why did Brian Dean decide to sell Backlinko?

Brian Dean sold Backlinko to SEMRush due to the perfect timing and opportunity presented by SEMRush's acquisition offer. Despite previous offers from other companies, Dean felt SEMRush was the right fit due to their authority in the SEO space and commitment to maintaining Backlinko's identity. This sale allowed him to focus on his new venture, Exploding Topics.

Q: What is Exploding Topics, and how does it differ from Google Trends?

Exploding Topics is a trend discovery platform co-founded by Brian Dean, focusing on identifying emerging topics before they become widely known. Unlike Google Trends, which requires users to know what to search for, Exploding Topics aims to uncover unknown trends, providing users with insights into potential future opportunities.

Q: What SEO strategies does Brian Dean recommend for new websites?

For new websites, Brian Dean recommends targeting low-competition keywords to build initial authority. He advises focusing on high-quality, linkable content and leveraging creative outreach strategies. Dean emphasizes the importance of patience and gradual growth, suggesting that sites should aim to rank for easier keywords before tackling more competitive ones.

Q: How does Brian Dean view the role of E-A-T in SEO?

Brian Dean believes that E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) is primarily influenced by backlinks rather than on-page author credentials. He argues that while having expert credentials might help, the algorithm likely relies more on off-site factors, such as the quality and quantity of backlinks, to assess a site's authority and trustworthiness.

Q: What challenges did Brian Dean face with Exploding Topics, and how did he overcome them?

Initially, Exploding Topics struggled to become profitable, leading to concerns within the team. However, Brian Dean remained optimistic and focused on refining the product and marketing strategy. By iterating on the business model and targeting the right audience, Exploding Topics eventually turned a profit, demonstrating the importance of perseverance and adaptability.

Q: What are Brian Dean's thoughts on AI content in SEO?

Brian Dean has mixed feelings about AI content, acknowledging its potential for generating basic, introductory content. However, he emphasizes the importance of original, high-quality content that AI cannot replicate. Dean suggests that AI can be useful for creating content briefs or outlines but believes that human-edited, well-researched content is crucial for standing out in SEO.

Q: How does Brian Dean approach link-building in the current SEO landscape?

Brian Dean advocates for creative and personalized link-building strategies, moving away from generic outreach. He highlights the success of campaigns that offer unique value, such as the 404 page replacement strategy. Dean emphasizes the need for genuine engagement and providing real value to potential link partners to achieve successful link-building outcomes.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Brian Dean discusses his journey from a nutrition background to becoming a prominent figure in the SEO industry. He shares how his dislike for his PhD program led him to explore entrepreneurship.

• Dean explains the sale of Backlinko to SEMRush, a decision influenced by his desire to focus on new projects like Exploding Topics. He highlights the importance of finding the right partner for such acquisitions.

• He shares insights on SEO techniques, including the Skyscraper Technique and the role of data studies. Dean emphasizes the need for creativity and personalization in link-building strategies.