Navigating Social Media: Essential Tips for Student-Athletes

The Dos of Social Media in College Sports Recruiting:
1. Use Your Real Name:

Use your real name or a recognizable variation as your social media handle to ensure recruiters, fans and sponsors can easily find and tag you, enhancing your visibility and personal brand.

2. Showcase Your Skills and Achievements:

Use social media platforms to highlight your athletic accomplishments, including game highlights, training videos, and accolades.

Create a professional and engaging profile that showcases your talent, work ethic, and character to prospective college coaches.

3. Engage with College Coaches:

Follow college coaches and programs on social media to stay informed about their recruiting efforts and program updates.

Engage with coaches by liking, commenting on, and sharing their posts, demonstrating your interest and enthusiasm for their program.

4. Share Academic Achievements:

Highlight your academic achievements, such as honor roll recognition, academic awards, and community service involvement, to showcase your well-roundedness as a student-athlete.

Emphasize the importance of academics in your social media presence to appeal to college coaches who prioritize academic success.

5. Build a Positive Personal Brand:

Maintain a positive and professional online presence by avoiding controversial topics, offensive language, or inappropriate content.

Use social media as a platform to showcase your character, leadership qualities, and involvement in the community, reflecting the values of a desirable recruit.

6. Network with Current and Former Athletes:

Connect with current and former college athletes in your sport to gain insights into their experiences and advice on the recruiting process.

Building relationships with athletes who have successfully navigated the recruiting journey can provide valuable guidance and mentorship.

The Don’ts of Social Media in College Sports Recruiting:
1. Post Inappropriate Content:

Avoid posting content that is offensive, inappropriate, or disrespectful, as it can tarnish your reputation and negatively impact your recruiting prospects.

Be mindful of the language, images, and opinions you share on social media, as college coaches may scrutinize your online activity when evaluating recruits.

2. Air Grievances or Complaints:

Refrain from airing grievances or complaints about coaches, teammates, or referees on social media, as it reflects poorly on your character and attitude.

Handle disagreements or issues privately and professionally, demonstrating maturity and conflict resolution skills to prospective college coaches.

3. Overexpose Personal Life:

Maintain boundaries between your personal and public life on social media, avoiding oversharing personal information or details that could compromise your privacy and safety.

Exercise discretion when sharing photos, locations, or information that could be used against you or jeopardize your security.

4. Neglect Privacy Settings:

Review and adjust your privacy settings on social media to control who can view your content and interact with you online.

Limit the visibility of your posts and profile to ensure that only trusted individuals, such as friends, family, and college coaches, have access to your information.

Social media can be a valuable asset for student-athletes navigating the college sports recruiting process when used responsibly and strategically. Remember, your online presence is an extension of your personal brand, so approach social media with intentionality, professionalism, and integrity to maximize its impact on your recruiting journey.