skyscraper-technique — independently scanned and version-tracked by SaferSkills.
SaferSkills independently audited skyscraper-technique (Agent Skill) and scored it 100/100 (green). The audit ran 55 deterministic rules across Security, Supply Chain, Maintenance, Transparency, and Community; it found 0 high-severity and 0 lower-severity findings. The full rule-by-rule trace and per-finding evidence are below. Free, methodology-open.
Findings & checks · 0 flagged
Every scanned point with the score it earned and what moved between them.
First recorded scan — no prior version to compare against.
The primary manifest — the file an agent reads to learn what this artifact does.
Build high-quality backlinks systematically using Brian Dean's proven 3-step content marketing framework—find link-worthy content, make something 10x better, and reach out to the right people.
Use this skill when you need to:
This skill is particularly valuable for:
Source: Brian Dean - Backlinko (2013-present)
Core Principle: Find the "tallest skyscraper" in your space—content that already attracts many backlinks—and build something even better. Then reach out to people who linked to the original, offering them a superior resource.
"It's human nature to be attracted to the best. And what you're doing here is finding the 'tallest skyscraper' in your space… and slapping 20 stories to the top of it."
| Claude Does | You Decide |
|---|---|
| Structures video workflow | Final creative vision |
| Suggests shot compositions | Equipment selection |
| Creates storyboard templates | Brand aesthetics |
| Generates script frameworks | Final approval |
| Identifies technical requirements | Budget allocation |
When invoked, I will guide you through the Skyscraper Technique:
Provide information about your link-building challenge:
Example prompts:
Information that helps:
#### Overview
| Step | Action | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Find Link-Worthy Content | Proven topic with backlink demand |
| Step 2 | Make Something 10x Better | Clearly superior content |
| Step 3 | Reach Out to the Right People | Targeted, qualified prospects |
A linkable asset is a high-value page you can leverage for links repeatedly. The key is finding content that has ALREADY earned significant backlinks.
#### What Makes Good Linkable Assets
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Guides | Comprehensive topic coverage | "Complete Guide to [Topic]" |
| Original Research | Data-driven studies | "2024 State of [Industry]" |
| Resource Lists | Curated collections | "100 Best Tools for [Task]" |
| How-to Content | Step-by-step tutorials | "How to [Achieve Result]" |
| Statistics Roundups | Compiled data points | "[Topic] Statistics 2024" |
#### How to Find Linkable Assets
Method 1: Backlink Analysis Tools
Use Ahrefs, Semrush, or Moz to find competitor's most-linked pages:
Method 2: Search + Analyze
Method 3: Content Explorer
Use Ahrefs Content Explorer or BuzzSumo:
#### Selection Criteria
| Criterion | Minimum | Ideal |
|---|---|---|
| Referring Domains | 50+ | 100+ |
| Domain Quality | Mix of sites | Authority sites in niche |
| Topic Relevance | Related to your niche | Core to your expertise |
| Improvement Potential | Some gaps | Clear weaknesses |
| Content Age | Under 5 years | 2-3 years (outdated) |
The original technique emphasized being "better"—but that bar has risen dramatically. You now need to be substantially, objectively superior.
#### The 10x Better Framework
| Dimension | How to Improve | Example |
|---|---|---|
| More Comprehensive | Cover more sub-topics | 50 items → 200 items |
| More Current | Update outdated info | 2021 stats → 2024 stats |
| Better Designed | Superior visual presentation | Plain text → Custom graphics |
| More Thorough | Add depth to each point | Bullet points → Detailed explanations |
| More Original | Add unique research/insights | Compiled info → Original data |
#### Creating 10x Content
1. Comprehensive Improvement
If the original has "50 Tips," create "200+ Tips" but ONLY if you can maintain quality. Length without value is counterproductive.
2. Freshness Improvement
Find content with outdated:
Update everything with current information.
3. Design Improvement
Add:
4. Depth Improvement
Transform:
5. Originality Improvement
Include:
#### The Critical Test
Ask yourself: "If I were the site owner, would I update my link to point to this instead?"
If the answer isn't an obvious "yes," your content isn't different enough.
This is where most people fail. The power of the Skyscraper Technique is reaching pre-qualified prospects—people who have already linked to similar content.
#### Building Your Prospect List
1. Export Backlinks
Use your SEO tool to export all referring domains to the original content.
2. Clean the List
Remove:
Keep:
3. Find Contact Information
For each qualified site:
#### Crafting Effective Outreach
The Foundation Email Structure:
1. Personalized opener (show you read their content)
2. Reference to the link they already have
3. Introduction of your improved content
4. Clear value proposition (why yours is better)
5. Easy next step (specific suggestion)
6. Non-pushy closeModern Outreach Template:
Subject: Quick note about your [Topic] article
Hey [Name],
I was reading your article on [specific article topic] and really enjoyed [specific point they made—be genuine].
I noticed you linked to [Original Article Name] as a resource for [context of the link].
I just published a significantly updated take on that topic: [Your URL]
What makes it different:
• [Specific improvement #1]
• [Specific improvement #2]
• [Specific improvement #3]
Might be a helpful update for your readers since [reason—e.g., the original is now 3 years old].
Either way, loved your piece on [topic].
[Your Name]Outreach Do's and Don'ts:
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Personalize every email | Use obvious templates |
| Be specific about improvements | Say "I wrote something better" |
| Reference their actual content | Be generic |
| Make linking easy | Create friction |
| Accept "no" gracefully | Follow up aggressively |
| Provide value first | Ask for favors |
#### Tracking Results
| Metric | Target | Excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Open Rate | 30%+ | 50%+ |
| Reply Rate | 10%+ | 20%+ |
| Link Rate | 5%+ | 10%+ |
| Pitfall | Why It Fails | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Marginal improvement | Not compelling enough to switch links | Aim for 10x better |
| Template outreach | Everyone uses the same templates | Write genuinely personal emails |
| Wrong prospects | Targeting irrelevant sites | Clean list thoroughly |
| No follow-up | People miss emails | One polite follow-up after 7 days |
| Giving up early | Link building takes time | Commit to 100+ outreach emails |
| Ignoring quality | Chasing quantity over quality | Focus on getting 10 great links vs. 50 weak ones |
Context: Marketing automation SaaS wanting to rank for "email marketing statistics"
Step 1: Find Linkable Assets
Search "email marketing statistics" and analyze top results:
Analysis:
Step 2: Make It 10x Better
Content Plan:
Improvement Matrix:
| Dimension | Competitor | Our Version |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics count | 50 | 150+ |
| Data recency | 2022 | 2024 |
| Original data | No | Yes (survey) |
| Expert quotes | No | 8 experts |
| Visual design | Basic | Custom graphics |
| Downloadables | No | Infographic + PDF |
Step 3: Outreach
Export referring domains from top competitor (340 sites).
After cleaning: 180 qualified prospects
Sample Outreach Email:
Subject: Updated resource for your email marketing guide
Hi Sarah,
Your article "Complete Guide to Email Marketing for Startups" is one of my go-to resources for clients just getting started—the section on list building is especially practical.
I noticed you link to [Competitor]'s email statistics page from 2022.
We just published our 2024 email marketing statistics report that might be a good update:
[URL]
What's different:
• 150+ statistics (vs. ~50 in the original)
• Original data from our survey of 500 marketers
• All sources updated to 2024
• Industry-specific benchmarks (SaaS, ecommerce, etc.)
Happy to share the data in a spreadsheet too if that's helpful for your readers.
Best,
[Name]Expected Results:
Context: New personal finance site wanting to build authority on "budget templates"
Step 1: Find Linkable Assets
Analyze "free budget template" content:
Insight: Resource pages and roundups frequently link to budget templates.
Step 2: Make It 10x Better
Content Plan: "The Ultimate Budget Template Library"
| Element | Competitors | Our Version |
|---|---|---|
| Templates offered | 1-5 | 25 templates |
| Formats | Excel only | Excel, Google Sheets, Notion, PDF |
| User types | Generic | Specific (students, families, freelancers, retirees) |
| Tutorial content | Basic | Video walkthrough for each |
| Customization | None | Instructions for modification |
| Design quality | Functional | Professionally designed |
Additional Differentiators:
Step 3: Outreach Strategy
Target two groups:
Group A: Sites linking to competitor templates (150 prospects)
Group B: Personal finance resource pages (75 prospects)
Sample Email for Resource Page:
Subject: Resource for your budgeting tools page
Hi Mike,
I stumbled across your "Best Free Financial Tools" page while researching budgeting apps—great collection, especially the debt payoff calculator recommendation.
I noticed you don't have a dedicated budget template resource listed.
We just released a free template library with 25 budget templates:
[URL]
Covers different life situations (students, families, freelancers, retirees) and formats (Excel, Google Sheets, Notion, PDF).
Might be a good fit alongside your other tools?
Cheers,
[Name]Expected Results:
Before pursuing a Skyscraper opportunity:
Demand Validation
Improvement Potential
Feasibility
ORIGINAL CONTENT ANALYSIS
=========================
URL: [Competitor URL]
Title: [Title]
Referring Domains: [Number]
Last Updated: [Date]
Word Count: [Number]
GAPS & WEAKNESSES
=================
□ Missing topics: [List]
□ Outdated information: [List]
□ Poor design elements: [List]
□ Lack of depth on: [List]
□ Missing media types: [List]
10X IMPROVEMENT PLAN
====================
1. Comprehensive: [How we'll cover more]
2. Current: [What we'll update]
3. Design: [Visual improvements]
4. Depth: [Where we'll go deeper]
5. Original: [Unique elements we'll add]
UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION
========================
What makes ours objectively better:
1. [Improvement #1]
2. [Improvement #2]
3. [Improvement #3]
TARGET METRICS
==============
□ Word count: [Target]
□ Subtopics covered: [Number]
□ Original graphics: [Number]
□ Expert quotes: [Number]
□ Downloadable resources: [List]CAMPAIGN: [Topic/URL]
=====================
Content URL: [Your URL]
Competitor URL: [Original Content]
Launch Date: [Date]
PROSPECT LIST
=============
Total exported: [Number]
After cleaning: [Number]
Emails found: [Number]
OUTREACH METRICS
================
Emails sent: ___
Opens: ___ (___%)
Replies: ___ (___%)
Links earned: ___ (___%)
LINK LOG
========
| Date | Site | DA | Link URL | Notes |
|------|------|-----|----------|-------|
| | | | | |
FOLLOW-UP SCHEDULE
==================
□ Day 7: First follow-up to non-responders
□ Day 14: Final follow-up (optional)
LEARNINGS
=========
What worked: [Notes]
What didn't: [Notes]
Adjustments for next campaign: [Notes]Before sending each email:
Primary Sources:
Additional Resources:
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