by Dan Christensen, Tudor Collegiate Strategies
An important skill that recruiters need to have in order to be successful, is storytelling.
A great story allows the reader to visualize themselves in the scenes of the story. The author paints a picture that is so clear that the movie version of the book is playing in their head as they consume the novel.
A critical part of the story you tell your recruits is the plan you have for each one. If the prospect cannot visualize themselves in the story, how can they be expected to buy in to it?
They need to see themselves on your campus, in your locker room, in your weight room, and in your school’s classrooms. But most importantly, they need to be able to visualize themselves on your team!
When you articulate your plan for that recruit in order to help them see what it would be like to be on your team, there are two key things that need to be in that plan:
1) How you will help them improve
If a recruit doesn’t feel the coaching staff and team can do much to help them get better, how excited will they be about being an athlete at that school? Not very.
In order for them to feel like you are a coach or coaching staff that will make them a better athlete, you need to articulate exactly how that will happen.
And this doesn’t mean showing them your weight room and letting them sit in on a practice when they visit campus. This means proving to that athlete that you know their game and have specific ideas for how training will go for them when they join your squad.
Talking about improvements actually has another big positive effect in recruiting. It builds trust with that athlete.
A lot of coaches tend to just talk up a player to butter them up. And certainly, it is important to show that recruit how much you value them.
But, at the same time if you point out some of their weaknesses, now you’re no longer like all the other coaches that are just trying to make them happy. You’re being real with them. And being real and transparent builds trust. And you know how critical trust is in recruiting!
2) The role that athlete will play on your team
Every athlete wants to feel they have a role on the team. Everyone from the star player to the one at the end of the bench wants to feel they add value to the team.
If you want a recruit to buy in and commit to your program, they need to feel they will have a role. And through the story you tell, they want to be able to visualize that role before they make that commitment. If that picture is foggy, it is harder to jump in.
Their role in competition is important. But, what about off the field? Are they someone you see as being a future leader of the program? And if so, how?
Maybe they are a workhorse and can lead in the weight room. Maybe they are vocal and will be the one that brings the energy in practice. Maybe they are quieter but will be a great listener and someone that will help settle drama that arises on the team.
There are all different kinds of personalities and roles on your team. Let your recruits know what that might look like if they decide to choose you. It will only help them visualize themselves being at your school and on your team, which is what you want!
Need help developing your recruiting story and executing the right way? Click here to see how hundreds of programs from around the country partner with Tudor Collegiate Strategies to achieve greater recruiting results, year in and year out.