KW density and idiot clients. HELP!!!!

[webwordslinger]

I have a client who insists on using KW1 @ a 3% rate in a 600-word piece, aka 18 references to KW1 in a two page piece. I upped the KW1 count to 18, but in doing so, added 100 words of text, getting the piece to 700 words. Now the client wants 21 KW1 appearances to maintain that 3% density. If I add 3 more KW1's, I'll up the word count again, requiring more KW1's to hit the 3% mark. Any suggestions for solving the never-ending problem of KW density and idiot clients? Thanks in advance. Paul

[webwordslinger]

Thanks for the assist, all.

@Matt: If the client is an idiot, someone should tell her.

Though you're right. I shouldn't point this particular client to this thread.

I love this site. Very generous mozzers.

Best,

Paul

[EGOL]

RTM.

[MattAntonino]

Show them this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk4qgQdp2UA

If you mention it once, good.  If you mention it twice, ok, you're about this. If you mention it 3 times, ok ... getting less helpful.  By the 4th, 5th, 18th time you mention it, it's not really helping. And if you overdo it it does hurt.

I've found (and YMMV) that keyword consistency is more important than density.  If my article is about flowers and I mention roses and daisies, sunflowers and tulips - that's more important than saying "I like flowers because flowers smell nice and flowers are pretty flowers and you can give your wife flowers on Valentine's Day, a flowers holiday."

Also as far as consistency, use the main keywords in the title & description but don't spam them in there 3 or 4 times.  Then use those keywords and the related set of keywords (types of flowers, potting, plant, garden) on the page.  That's more helpful, I think.

(I'd suggest you could show your client a forum topic where a bunch of professional SEOs say keyword density doesn't matter but I'd really avoid using the word "idiot" when talking about the people who pay you if you want them to continue to do so.)

[KevinBudzynski]

Show them high-ranking content for the KW's and I can almost guarantee that it doesn't follow the criteria that your client is suggesting.

[DavidKonigsberg]

Show him blog posts and white board Fridays that say to not be crazy about kw density.