by Dan Christiansen, Tudor Collegiate Strategies
For most, the summer is a combination of relaxation and planning before the fall begins.
During the school year a lot of things get put to the side amidst the chaos of being in season, meeting with players, and maybe dealing with a global pandemic.
So, what are some things you should be doing this summer to get back on track, or even put yourself ahead of where you typically are by this fall? Here are two projects:
1) Build your relationships with high school and club coaches
No, I don’t mean email a bunch of coaches to ask them if they have players for you. I mean really try to connect with some coaches!
Around 80% of recruits say that their coach has a significant influence on their college decision. But, most college coaches don’t take the time to communicate with these high school and club coaches to show them why their college and athletic program is a great option for student-athletes.
Talk to them about how their school and program has been affected by the pandemic. Tell them what your school has been planning to do in order to keep the students safe in their return.
Also, ask about how they train their athletes. One of the worst things you can do as a college coach is try to make yourself seem superior to the high school coach. Treat them as a peer and ask them for advice!
Just like you do with your recruits, consistently give these coaches reasons why their athletes should choose you. But that involves a plan. Which leads to the second project:
2) Plan your recruiting communication
One of the most common things I hear from coaches when it comes to recruiting communication is that they run out of things to talk about in that middle part of the recruiting process. And for the coaches that maybe could think of things to talk about, it is overwhelming to try and do so every 6-9 days throughout the entire year.
So, this summer, start planning! Plan your communication with your recruits, their parents, and their current coaches.
Sit down and take some time this summer to plan out a topic for each month. Then break down that topic into three or four messages for your prospect and one message each for the parents and the high school or club coaches.
Once you have figured out the monthly topics and weekly sub-topics, get to writing! If you have a staff, split up the writing responsibility.
If you don’t want to write 12 months of recruiting communication all in one summer, at least write messaging for the first month or two. But then plan when each month you will write the next month’s content. Block out a few hours on your calendar for those days each month so that you don’t double book yourself with other meetings.
If you take the time to create a plan this summer, there is so much less creative thinking and planning required during the school year when we all know it is less likely to happen!
Coach, take some time to enjoy the summer. You certainly deserve it after the year we have had. But, don’t let the summer go by without connecting in a meaningful way with some high school and club coaches. And don’t put off planning your upcoming recruiting communication!
Dan Christensen is part of the national team of advisors and experts at Tudor Collegiate Strategies, working one-on-one with coaching staffs, Dan Tudor, as well as our researchers and writers. To put that team to work inexpensively for you and your program, click here.