Social media in college recruiting can be a powerful tool. If used appropriately, social media can be leveraged by prospective “student-athletes” to enhance their visibility and opportunities. A well-managed social media presence can increase a coach’s interest in recruiting you. There are, however, also risks that come with using social media. We want to provide ways for you to get a positive head start on the recruiting process with the following 4 social media tips:
1. Review your social media
Most of the coaches have already looked at your social media accounts before contacting you. By following potential student-athletes, they can not only monitor progress and results, but also determine if you have the character to fit in their team. It is therefore important that, before you start the recruiting process, you review your social media accounts and remove anything that a coach may perceive as inappropriate. Think about comments that contain offensive/harmful language or photos that show illegal activity (e.g. underage drinking). One inappropriate photo, comment, or “like” could result in a coach’s loss of interest in pursuing you. Do not forget to review any content where you have been tagged in.
2. Add an athlete’s profile page
As a prospective student-athlete, you have a lot of information that coaches want to look into (academic, athletic, highlight video, etc.). We, therefore, advise you to have an athlete’s profile to make it very easy for a coach to have all of your information in one convenient location. Do not forget to include a link to your athlete’s profile in the bio of your social media accounts. On our website, you can create an athlete’s profile for free, and you can use this in your communication with coaches.
3. Maintain a positive social media presence
Let your social media demonstrate important values (such as respect, dedication, and integrity) that coaches look for. You can think of posts with:
- interesting articles about your sport,
- highlight or skills videos,
- academic or athletic awards you’ve received,
- shout-outs to your teammates
Don’t forget that college coaches want to see the full picture of you, so include anything that shows you are much more beyond your athletics and academics. While you may be dedicated to maintaining a positive social media presence, it’s hard to control the actions of those around you. Stay on top of any content you are tagged in and choose what appears on your accounts.
4. Engage
It is equally important to engage with college teams you may be interested in on social media. Most college teams have dedicated Instagram or Twitter pages where they share photos, videos, and team results. It is good to reciprocate a coach’s interest in you by engaging with their team. This will demonstrate that you are also tracking their progress. You may simply ‘like’ a team’s post or add a comment to congratulate them on a good recent performance. Coaches ultimately want to recruit athletes that want to be part of their program, and social media engagement is a great way to demonstrate this.
For further tips or questions on using social media to get recruited, contact us
