An improved system and method for communicating Presence Information. According to various embodiments, the sequence of actions undertaken in established Presence procedures are changed, and enhancements are also provided for Watcher 5 information notifications. Upon the initiation of a Presence Service, the Presence Source starts publishing Presence Information about a Presentity using a soft-state approach. Instead of having publication occur first, the Presence Source makes a subscription for the Watcher information first or simply waits until the Presence Server contacts the Presence Source. As a result, publication occurs only when there is a demand therefor.