How specific do you need to be with your key words?

[Timbus]

How specific are you getting with your key words? I find myself running against giants because there is so much competition in my subject matter. Is getting specific the only way I can win?

[guinanie]

You are right, there is much competition in using specific keywords. Get a competitive keywords that usually used by the target audience

[akdiver]

I target general keywords that are related. So when people have a specific query I have a better chance. But I dont like to have a long string of keywords optimised because then you are really compromising your market range.

If that doesnt make sense which im sure it doesnt I optimise
Keyword A
Keyword B
Keyword C
as seperate

instead of optimising Keyword A Keyword B Keyword C as one search term

[Mr.Boogie]

I would target a certain area of your targeted keyword, like if you are targeting "London escorts" go with "cheap London escorts" if you are new in this field, than move on to the main keyword because if you are top 10 for a longer one, you are somwhere top 100 for the short one which is not a bad start...

[ben_tambling]

there's nothing wrong if your running against the giants... as long as you targeting specific keywords, for sure,, you'll get quality traffic that you need.. remember that quality traffic is far better from quantity traffic...

[sws27]

I agree with Mr. Bogie

You may want to start with 3-5 keyword phrases that include the 1-2 generic keywords.

Ranking for the long tail keywords -that include the generic ones- will help you rank for all of them ultimately.

[doreengonzales]

I agree. Targeting a specific keyword is more competitive. If you are looking for more competitive, you can target specific keyword that you think audience look for.