Pat Zaby's
DIGITAL EDGE FOR REALTORS
Strategies that keep your clients coming back—and referring more. Tips and tools to strengthen your real estate connections.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind...Not a Good Business Plan
Monday, July 21, 2025

In the fast-paced world of real estate, the adage "out of sight, out of mind" can be a silent killer for agents' careers. While it might seem tempting to step back and let business come to you, this passive approach can lead to significant setbacks.

While prudent cost-cutting can be a vital aspect of sound business management, eliminating reasonable promotional efforts is a risky strategy that can lead to significant long-term losses. For real estate agents, maintaining visibility and engagement is not just an expense, but a crucial investment in the future of their business, as the following article explains.

 Lost Connections and Opportunities

Real estate is fundamentally a relationship-based business. When agents fade from view, they risk losing valuable connections they've worked hard to establish. Past clients, potential leads, and even fellow professionals may simply forget about an agent who isn't actively maintaining contact. This invisibility translates directly to missed opportunities ... whether it's a new listing, a referral, or a chance to expand into a new market segment.

Competitive Disadvantage

In a field as competitive as real estate, staying visible is not just beneficial ... it's essential for survival. While one agent might choose to lay low, their competitors are likely ramping up their engagement efforts. From social media presence to community involvement, active agents capture the attention and business that could have been yours. In essence, being out of sight means voluntarily ceding ground to your competition.

Relationship Decay

Business relationships, much like personal ones, require nurturing to remain strong and productive. Regular contact, whether through newsletters, personal check-ins, or market updates, keeps an agent top-of-mind. Without this ongoing nurturing, even once-strong client relationships can weaken over time, reducing the likelihood of repeat business or referrals ... both critical components of a thriving real estate practice.

Missing Market Changes

The real estate market is dynamic, with trends and conditions changing rapidly. Agents who disconnect, even temporarily, risk missing important shifts in their industry. This could include changes in buyer preferences, new regulations, or emerging technologies that could impact their business. Staying engaged ensures agents remain adaptable and informed, ready to pivot their strategies as needed.

Stunted Professional Growth

Active engagement in the industry often leads to professional growth opportunities. Networking events, continuing education, and collaborative projects all stem from being a visible and active member of the real estate community. By choosing to be "out of sight," agents may miss chances to enhance their skills, expand their knowledge, and grow their professional network.

The Compounding Effect of Visibility

Consistent visibility compounds over time, building an agent's reputation and expanding their sphere of influence. Regular engagement ... whether through social media, community events, or personalized communications ... creates multiple touchpoints that reinforce an agent's presence in clients' minds. This ongoing visibility increases the likelihood that when real estate needs arise, that agent will be the first point of contact.

Successful real estate agents understand that their business thrives on visibility, engagement, and consistent relationship-building. By staying actively connected with their network and community, agents can ensure a steady flow of opportunities, maintain a competitive edge, and build a sustainable, growing business in the ever-evolving real estate market.

Even the best agents experience lulls, often, it's a matter of reconnecting with your audience through consistent branding.  Investigate InTouch Systems, an automated content provider for direct email and social media.
National Trainer Pat Zaby

Pat Zaby is a distinguished leader in the real estate industry, serving as a charter member of the Residential Real Estate Council (RRC) and a past national president. With a career spanning over five decades, he has been a senior instructor since 1983, earning recognition as a national speaker, author, and developer.

His extensive contributions have established him as a respected authority in the field. As the co-owner of InTouch Systems, a digital marketing company, Pat continues to provide valuable insights and resources to real estate professionals, helping them thrive in an ever-evolving market.

Download Speaker Information

Achievements

  • Lifetime Achievement Award 2024 – Residential Real Estate Council
  • Over 200 articles published in national real estate periodicals
  • Senior instructor for the Residential Real Estate Council
  • Convention speaker at the NAR® and numerous franchise and state associations of REALTORS® for over 25 years
  • Past President, Residential Real Estate Council
  • Past President - REALTORS® National Marketing Institute®
  • Recipient of Omega Tau Rho, National Association of REALTORS®
  We use cookies on this website for different purposes, including facilitating navigation, personalizing content, measuring site usage, and providing the best possible digital experience. You can consent to our use of cookies or reject cookies other than strictly necessary.