Here are 5 social media dos and don'ts for athletes being recruited:
Dos:
- Build a positive online presence: Showcase your skills, achievements, and personality in a positive way that reflects your character. Highlight your dedication to your sport, academic achievements, community involvement, and other aspects of your life that make you a well-rounded candidate for college sports.
- Follow coaches and teams on social media: By following coaches and teams on social media, you can stay updated on their latest news, events, and recruitment needs. You may also be able to interact with coaches and other athletes to showcase your interest in their program and build connections.
- Share your highlights and achievements: Share videos and pictures of your game highlights, training sessions, and other achievements to showcase your skills and abilities. This can catch the attention of college coaches and help you stand out from other recruits.
- Use social media to research colleges and teams: Use social media to research colleges and teams you're interested in, and to learn more about their athletic programs, academic requirements, and culture. This can help you make informed decisions about where to apply and which programs to pursue.
- Keep your social media profiles clean: Be mindful of what you post on social media, as coaches and recruiters may be looking at your profiles to learn more about you. Avoid posting inappropriate content, engaging in negative conversations, or using offensive language that could reflect poorly on you.
Don'ts:
- Post inappropriate content: Posting inappropriate content such as drug use, alcohol consumption, or sexually explicit material can damage your reputation and decrease your chances of being recruited.
- Engage in negative conversations: Avoid engaging in negative conversations or arguments online, as this can make you seem unprofessional and difficult to work with.
- Criticize coaches or teams: Avoid criticizing coaches or teams on social media, as this can make you seem ungrateful and unprofessional. It can also damage your chances of being recruited by that program or other programs.
- Be inconsistent with your messaging: Be consistent with your messaging across all social media platforms. If you present yourself as a dedicated student-athlete on one platform, make sure your other profiles reflect the same message.
- Ignore messages and comments from coaches: If a coach reaches out to you or comments on your social media posts, respond in a timely and professional manner. Ignoring these messages can make you seem uninterested or disorganized.