Article

The 36‑Touch Myth: What Actually Keeps You Top of Mind in Real Estate

For years, agents have heard they need a “36‑touch” plan to stay in front of their database. Monthly emails, quarterly mailers, calls, pop‑bys—the idea sounds solid in theory.

But in practice? Most agents never execute it consistently. And even when they try, the touches often feel forced, generic, or disconnected.

The problem isn’t the number.
It’s the relevance and consistency.

Why Most Touch Plans Fail

Traditional touch plans were built for a pre‑digital world. They assumed every contact needed the same schedule and the same message.

Today, people engage differently. Some read emails. Some watch video. Some respond to texts. Many ignore mass messaging entirely.

So agents build elaborate plans inside CRM tools, fall behind within weeks, and quietly abandon them.

The issue isn’t discipline.
It’s system design.

What Actually Keeps You Top of Mind

Top‑of‑mind presence doesn’t come from hitting a contact 36 times a year. It comes from showing up naturally and repeatedly in ways that feel useful.

That usually means three channels working together:

  • Ongoing email visibility
  • Occasional personal outreach
  • Passive social presence

Email platforms like <a href="https://www.constantcontact.com/partner-offer?pn=bjcbranding&cc=invite">Constant Contact</a> make consistent communication scalable. Your CRM tracks relationships and prompts follow‑ups. Prospecting tools like RedX feed new contacts into the system. Automation platforms connect it all so no one goes dark.

When these pieces align, frequency happens automatically—without forcing touches.

The Shift From Touches to Presence

Think less about counting interactions and more about maintaining presence.

Your contacts should regularly see:

  • Market insights
  • Local knowledge
  • Homeownership advice
  • Personal updates
  • Client stories

Not because you scheduled 36 tasks—but because your marketing ecosystem keeps you visible.

This is why simple monthly newsletters often outperform complex multi‑channel plans. They actually get executed.

Consistency Beats Volume

Agents who stay top of mind usually do fewer things—but do them reliably for years:

  • Monthly or bi‑weekly email
  • Occasional check‑ins
  • Social proof and activity posts

That’s it.

No massive touch calendar. No overwhelm. Just sustained visibility.

A Better Standard Than 36 Touches

Instead of asking, “Did I hit my touches?” ask:

  • Did my database hear from me this month?
  • Did they see me somewhere recently?
  • Would they remember I’m in real estate today?

If the answer is yes, you’re winning.

Because mindshare isn’t built by counting contacts.
It’s built by consistent presence over time.

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Like a river carving its path through stone, some of us need time and steady currents to reach the ocean of our dreams.