Originally Posted by Varius

To answer what I think you are trying to ask from your post, yes you should be using the keyword phrases you wish to rank for in submitting your links to other sites. If I were you I would choose say 5-6 different terms or phrases you wish to rank for, and then spread them out equally across the places you submit so you will have backlinks coming in for those few different terms instead of focusing only on one. Not all places you submit will let you choose your own anchor text though, but you shouldn't fear those sites will outrank you for your term, that will simply help you down the line as it'll be a quality backlink.