I Sold My Company For Millions (FULL STORY)

The full story of how I sold Backlinko to Semrush, including lessons learned.

[@sfzaheer]

The best thing about this video is the human element: not knowing about stuff when we are doing something for the first time, getting stressed out, having trouble sleeping etc, coupled with your willingness to acknowledge all that in front of a large audience. The knowledge you shared is also super-practical.

[@GoldfishMummy]

Congratulations, Brian! I've loved and learnt heaps from your Backlinko. Thrilled you have a great exit for all your hard work! Cool, so cool!👏👏👏

[@VincentDenise]

Hello Brian, I was away from the internet recently and missed this great news. Well done it's a huge win!! Thank you for doing this video and for the transparency, it reminds me of some things you have to endure in an acquisition process. Also so glad to see Exploding Topics continue to grow, Josh and the rest of your team are doing an amazing job!

[@IanConnel]

We are proud of you too! I hope you keep making content to help us grow, too.

[@moralmarketing]

I ❤ backlinko content...had no idea you sold it. Really hope they don't change the long format your known for. Thank you for sharing your experience with us🎉

[@keyzabrahamogah3448]

Congratulations, Brian. Thank you for sharing.

[@GRANITE-EDUCATION]

This is a really good video! I love how open and direct you are. Big fan :)

[@ApostolisLianos]

Brian, you are our role model mate. Thanks 🙏

[@GameworksCommunity]

Thanks so much for your help over the years, your videos have contributed to me building a successful e-commerce website for my family run business. I was ranking better than I ever have previously and really helped during Covid when most sales were online. Keep up the great work Brian 😀

[@djlee0721]

Such an informative video! Thanks for sharing this with us!

[@shinmkt]

Thank you for sharing great contents for years :)

[@antoinecurti]

Loved it! Congrats!

[@Cygx]

This video is very reminiscent of the book "Built to Sell", I high recommend the read if you are selling your company!

[@AzharulRafy]

It an inspiring story, and the experiences you shared is invaluable. It's good to know you don't regret it transferring the ownership of Backlinko to Semrush. I hope you keep making content to help us learn and grow... All the best!

[@webalite]

Great to see your generosity and enthusiasm has been rewarded.

[@BrianDean]

Thanks Mike!

[@gozlegion]

Wow! Thanks for sharing and congratulations 🎉

[@chrisdunntv]

Love this! Congrats on the sale. Also, been loving exploding topics!

[@BrianDean]

Thanks Chris! I appreciate that

[@anilsaini261]

Great content as always

[@advanzp1]

Congratulations! Very inspirational.

[@kashifkabir6944]

Loved reading Backlinko 😢 - Don't read any more after you. Congratulations ❤ Best Teacher ❤

[@psophy]

Great Job Brian! Follow you around 10y

[@dimitarmargaritov]

Congrats on building up Backlinko to what it is! I am hoping to become the Backlinko of my niche with my primary website nowadays.

[@tardodaty]

Congratulations I am so happy for u, u r a good example for successful man, u encourage me more when i watch your videos, keep doing amazing ..❤

[@usmantofficial]

Wow, what an inspiring story! Congratulations on building and selling your company for millions! I'm curious, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who are looking to follow in your footsteps? Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

[@elliottkillian]

Congrats! Great experience

[@jamesscott1711]

Awesome achievement! All from a blank Wordpress installation. Congratulations 🎉 I miss those new Backlinko monster posts, through!

[@iocfaith]

Thanks for sharing.

[@wowow4816]

very happy for you!

[@emekaudeogu]

I ❤ Backlinko and Semrush equally. I'm happy they are both one now. It's a beautiful match

[@MysticKnotwork]

Wow, congratulations!

[@jdnoc]

Thanks for this video. I would be so stressed as well. I would love to sell my SaaS company one day - I'm focusing on growing it a bit more and adding more technology assets like you mentioned. I definitely need to get more organized financially and paperwork wise. BTW would love to hear any feedback from the power half-hour for exploding topics - good or bad! Shoot me a quick email. I'm actually launching an SEO course next week, I've learned a lot in the last 6 months doing hundreds of those client calls. Following in your footsteps in a way (filling the void you left?)

[@MakingitinHolland]

The content of these videos is GREAT! We can go easy on the jumpcuts 😅 I feel like I’m having an epileptic episode.

[@BrianDean]

Noted!

[@MakingitinHolland]

@@BrianDean look forward to seeing more value-packed videos!

[@happyfreeky]

And you deserved it. Congrats again.and thanks for breaking down the process you went through.

[@BrianDean]

Thanks!

[@Krushangshah]

Hi Brian, is there any way to get your SOPs?

[@musicmasala2391]

Hey Brian...Awesome Video....How can I join exploding topics (as a developer)?

[@twcclassics]

Do you know if Semrush is going to do anything with the site? There hasn't been a new post in over a year!

[@TravelTipsbyLaurie]

Now you can buy another B hat 🎉 So proud of you!

[@BrianDean]

HA! Thanks Laurie

[@hakedquestion592]

So educational

[@LeviEric_]

Kudos Brian

[@BrianDean]

Thank you!

[@DanielsBrew]

Congratulations Brian! Well deserved! Quick question, when you settled the payment from Semrush, did you get a lump sum deposited to your account? And did it already have taxes withheld? If you could shed some light on this aspect of the deal, would much appreciate it!

[@BrianDean]

Yup, it was a lump sum. Taxes weren't withheld because it wasn't payroll (it was an asset sale from my business entity)

[@danyalsimplevlog]

Very nice

[@MuhammadAli-ez7zp]

Sir please, please and please 3 times please can you create a full tutorial on your thumbnail. Your thumbnail in this video is awesome and i loved it please create a tutorial on this topic.😊

[@voilamedia5]

Hey Brian, Congratulations, Did you visit them at their cost or your own, just curious.

[@BrianDean]

My own cost. I grew up in the area. So I also visited family on the trip.

[@HQWritetoSell]

I wonder you got a plan of exit in the beginning or it just comes across your mind later?

[@BrianDean]

Definitely not planned. The buyer approached me out of the blue.

[@HQWritetoSell]

Do you think it came at the right time when you look back now? @@BrianDean

[@vinco3994]

Do you want to work on another side project.

[@solomonmuchori]

I was wondering where are you

[@michaellazarus8112]

I can only respect this story if a backlink for Exploding Topics was expertly hidden somewhere in the contract

[@BrianDean]

😂😂😂

[@AlanBerry]

But you still can’t record in a room that doesn’t have severe echo?😅

[@bobbieschroder6231]

edited> Some people consider a little reverb to make their voice more attractive. And it was not "severe" at all! That is clearly a huge exaggeration.

[@AlanBerry]

@@bobbieschroder6231 The guy can afford to have proper sound.

[@bobbieschroder6231]

@@AlanBerry Yes, I agree with you there! 😉 However, some people actually like it like that. A little reverb can enhance the quality of a person's voice. Different people have different tastes and are entitled to their own personal preferences.

[@videokhchannel2362]

❤❤🎉

[@RedWagonTeamHomes]

Brian rocks

[@BrianDean]

Thanks Jay!

[@ebaqdesign]

How much???

[@bobbieschroder6231]

Did you not read the thumbnail?

[@i-ruv-bigboobies]

​@@bobbieschroder6231yeah but how many millions?

[@healthfactwala]

KZbin Complete Course Again Lunch 2023 Please sir Please 1 new video how to grow youtube channel fast

[@Abdullah.Mahmud]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤

[@sajjadali5738]

🙂

[@thegentlemantherapy]

I wait for your videos just like i wait for Hrithik Roshan's movies 💙✌️

[@vikaskumar1512]

Not interested.