by Dan Christensen, Tudor Collegiate Strategies
Are letters even a thing anymore in recruiting? Aren’t kids just on their phones all day? Why would recruits even want a letter?
Because it is different! And “different” is what stands out to your prospects.
Letters are personal. They are physical. They require more work than a text message. And your recruits know that!
And if you want another reason why a letter will stand out to your recruits, if you sent them one today, it might be the first one they have ever received from a coach!
For all these reasons, letters are a super effective way to get your recruiting message out there. But, the letter needs to be written well in order to have that impact. Here are two ways to make sure that happens:
1) Have a handwritten touch
What your prospects do get in their mailbox are mass mailed graphics, brochures, and impersonally typed letters from colleges. In order to be different, your letter needs a handwritten touch.
No, the entire letter does not need to be handwritten every time. That certainly wouldn’t hurt.
But, as long as the letter is written well, adding a handwritten signature to the bottom of a typed letter will go a long way. Or maybe write a little P.S. at the bottom. If you handwrite the recruit’s address on the envelope, that will help it stand out even more in the pile of pamphlets and booklets they are getting.
Remember, recruits recognize when something took more effort on your part. If you take the easy way out and have the entire envelope and letter typed, it loses that effect.
2) Keep the letter short and to the point
This should be great news if you are concerned that doing letters will take up too much of your time.
Keeping that letter short will increase the likelihood that the recruit actually reads it. Don’t make the letter longer than two thirds of the page.
Keeping it focused instead of including an overwhelming amount of info will help the athlete actually retain some of what you say. If you don’t put everything into a single letter, that also leaves you with more to talk about in the next letter you send them!
Need help constructing recruiting messaging based on research? We help hundreds of college coach staffs do that every single day. And, the process works! Click here to find out how we do that, and then email dan@dantudor.com to talk about how it would work for you and your recruiting plan.