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.

Monday, December 8, 2025

In today's digital landscape, being present on social media is essential, but simply posting isn't enough. If you want your social media to generate real business, you need to go beyond just scheduling content and engage in real-time.

Here's the why: Only a small fraction, less than 10, of your followers are in the market to buy or sell at any given time. If all you post is listings or self-promotion, you risk alienating the rest of your audience. That's where the 80/20 rule comes in: 80% of your content should be educational and helpful and cement your position as their source of real estate information. The remaining 20% can promote your listings, successes, or services. This mix keeps your brand approachable and valuable...even when your audience isn't actively in the market.

What counts as educational? Homeownership tips, local updates, mortgage changes, seasonal checklists, or even home maintenance reminders. These position you as a resource, not just a salesperson.

But content alone isn't what builds relationships...real-time engagement does. Make it a habit to:

  • Comment on your followers' posts.
  • Wish them happy birthday or congratulations on life events.
  • Reply quickly to DMs or questions.
  • Watch for posts that could signal a move (new job, baby, empty nest) and start a genuine conversation.

This type of interaction builds trust and top-of-mind awareness. People want to work with someone who notices them—and that starts with showing up in their notifications.

The good news? You don't have to do it all yourself.

InTouch Systems can take care of the 80%, designing, writing, and posting professional, educational content that strengthens your brand, so you can focus your energy on the high-touch 20% that turns relationships into referrals.

That's where InTouch Systems steps in. We automate your marketing with professionally written, branded content that goes out automatically through email, social media, and your website, keeping your name in front of the people most likely to do business with you or send referrals.

You'll look active, informed, and professional without spending hours every week creating and formatting content.

Visit www.InTouchSystems.com to check it out, take a free trial, or schedule a demo and start turning missed opportunities into repeat and referral business.

Monday, November 24, 2025

As the CEO, Chief Everything Officer, of your real estate business, the phrase "If it is to be, it's up to me" rings true every day. Your role spans everything from prospecting and presentations to marketing, negotiations, business planning, and follow-up. You're working long hours, juggling back-to-back appointments, and often feeling like there's never enough time to focus on the activities that secure your future—like building a steady, predictable pipeline of buyers and sellers.

The reality is that lead generation must be a nonstop effort—24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. But when you're constantly putting out fires and navigating the demands of your business, it's easy for prospecting to slip down the priority list. "I'll get to it tomorrow" turns into next week... and then next month. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to regain momentum.

Procrastination is the enemy of progress, especially in prospecting. Once you understand that consistent lead generation is the lifeblood of your business, it must become non-negotiable. If nothing else gets done today, your prospecting will. Identify the most productive time of day for you, block it on your calendar, and protect it fiercely. Use this dedicated time for personal outreach, especially phone calls, to your high-value contacts: past clients, repeat clients, and those who have referred you business.

Remember, it costs five to seven times more to attract a new customer than it does to retain an existing one. Staying in front of your sphere through consistent, meaningful communication is one of the smartest business strategies you can deploy. A well-rounded, multi-channel plan, anchored by an email newsletter and active social media presence, keeps your name top of mind and reinforces your value as their go-to real estate professional.

But you don't have to do it all alone.

InTouch Systems   is designed to help you stay connected with your sphere automatically and professionally. Our service supplements your personal outreach with high-quality content marketing across email and social platforms so even when you're busy closing deals, your brand stays visible, consistent, and top of mind. You'll never have to worry whether your clients are hearing from you...they will be.

The key is consistency. If your name isn't the one that comes to mind when someone thinks "REALTOR®," it's likely someone else's will. Don't let a lack of time cost you relationships, referrals, and repeat business. Commit to a lead generation plan that works even when you're too busy to work it yourself. And let  InTouch Systems  help make sure your message is always reaching the people who matter most.

Take the 14-day Free Trial  or schedule a demo so you can see for yourself how it will help you.

Monday, November 10, 2025

A single transaction can be the start of something far more valuable than just one commission check; it can be the foundation of a lifetime client relationship worth $139,390* in income over the course of your career.

Based on the projection, a buyer who starts with a $400,000 home with 3% appreciation and moves up every 10 years, over a 30-year period while working with the same agent, can generate over $6.6 million* in closed volume. And it all happens because you did two simple but powerful things: You stayed in the business, and you stayed in touch.

When you treat each client not as a one-time deal, but as a long-term relationship, you position yourself as their go-to, trusted advisor for life.

Additional Benefits of Adopting This Strategy:

  • Predictable, Repeat Business: You reduce the need for constant lead generation by working with a loyal base of repeat clients.
  • Referrals Multiply: Clients who feel valued and supported will refer friends, family, and coworkers, often resulting in exponential growth.
  • Brand Reputation Grows: You become known not just as a real estate agent, but as a trusted community resource.
  • Less Pressure, More Profit: Working with past clients requires less marketing effort and often results in smoother, more enjoyable transactions.
  • Business Stability: In shifting markets, loyal clients provide consistent opportunities and income you can count on.

Building and maintaining a strong sphere of influence turns your business from a series of one-time wins into a long-term, compounding asset. With the right systems in place, like consistent outreach, educational content, and personal touches, you create career equity that grows with every year you're in the business.

Many agents have misunderstood how to use digital marketing to grow their business. It's a common mistake to expect immediate results from a single email, social post, or ad. That's a myopic view of how these tools really work. The true value of digital marketing is in building trust and brand recognition over time, so when someone in your sphere needs real estate help, you're the first person they think of.

To achieve this, your content must be educational and informational, not just promotional. The most effective strategy is an 80/20 mix:

  • 80% helpful, relevant content that speaks to homeownership, real estate trends, and practical advice.
  • 20% product or personal promotion to highlight listings, sales, or achievements.

    This approach positions you as a knowledgeable resource and trusted advisor, not just a salesperson, so you can earn lasting relationships, repeat business, and steady referrals.

    Turning one sale into a lifetime relationship doesn't happen by chance...it happens by staying in front of your sphere with consistent, valuable communication that keeps you top of mind. That's exactly what InTouch Systems is designed to do.

    InTouch helps residential agents build and maintain lasting relationships by delivering educational, informational, and consumer-friendly content automatically through multiple digital channels. Our service keeps you visible and valuable, not just when clients are buying or selling, but throughout all the years in between.

    Here's how InTouch helps you turn past clients into lifelong customers:

  • Email & Newsletters...professionally written content is sent automatically on your behalf, sharing homeowner tips, market insights, and timely advice that builds credibility and keeps you connected.
  • Social Media Posts...five days a week, your Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X accounts are updated with a mix of engaging graphics, short videos, and articles, all branded with your contact info, so you're always part of the conversation.
  • Website Consumer content...information guides, financial calculators, blogs, and other resources are provided for your website to boost SEO and give your clients a reason to come back for trusted real estate information.

Everything Is Done for You...no writing, posting, or designing needed. Just set it up once, and your content flows consistently keeping your name in front of your sphere and positioning you as the knowledgeable, reliable professional they can count on for the long haul.

InTouch isn't just marketing, it's the foundation of a referral-driven business built on trust, familiarity, and lifetime value. With InTouch, you're not just staying in touch...you're building a career.

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.

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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®
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