I like to write about things that happen on a regular basis and are front of mind. A few months ago, I wrote a blog about how timing of your communication with a college coach is critically important. I can’t stress this enough and I felt like it would be beneficial to dive a little deeper.
Recently, one of my clients expressed some concern that they hadn’t heard back from a coach that they had contacted. When I found out that they had messaged them on a Saturday, it was a little eye-opening to say the least. While it’s true that college coaches are constantly trying to recruit and find the right fit for their programs, that doesn’t mean that they work 24/7/365, answering emails and texts.
It’s summertime and this is the only reprieve that many coaches get from the daily grind. Think about it, they start preseason in August and the season will run through October/November or maybe even December. Then, they immediately jump into recruiting mode from January through May, oftentimes requiring travel and even more time away from their families. Not to mention that many coaches are using the summer to be at recruiting events and camps. So when they can find time, even a Saturday or Sunday, let’s remember that they are human and to give them ample time to respond.
A few suggestions on reaching out to coaches this summer and even down the road.
1. If a coach reaches out to you, respond in 24 hours if not sooner. Coaches are recruiting many prospects and your response, or lack thereof, may move you up or down their list. Even if it isn’t a school you aren’t that interested in, reach out. You never know what could come of it.
2. If you are the one trying to initiate contact with a coach, try to do so Monday through Thursday. Friday and Monday can be extensions of the weekend in the summer and coaches can be on vacation or they can be at showcases or camps.
3. Be thoughtful and deliberate when you decide to reach out to a college coach. If you are heading to their camp, reach out a few days prior with some additional info about yourself. If you are heading to a showcase, send your playing schedule. Be smart and think about when you hit send so that you can increase your chances of the coach seeing your message.
I realize a lot of prospects may work on reaching out to coaches on their own time. But did you know that most email platforms have a tool that allows you to schedule your email? This allows you to write your message or messages on your own time and then schedule the email to be sent on a Tuesday morning at 10am. If you’re communicating during the fall season, don’t send an email to a coach on a gameday. However, be careful not to pre-compose an email and reference incorrect information.
For example, you wouldn’t want to write, “Hey Coach, saw you had a great game last night.” Only to come and find out that they lost 3-0.
If you are texting or communicating another way, be smart about when you send that text. Again, coaches aren’t going to respond 24/7.
Timing is critical in the recruiting process. If you want your communication to be more productive, think this way when you are reaching out. It’s the same for me, I am not calling college coaches to tell them about kids I work with on a Friday afternoon unless I have been asked. It’s good business to think this way. When companies decide when and where they will have their commercials run, the timing is critically important so they get the most eyes on their ad. The same applies here, you are marketing yourself and you want to get the most eyes on you as a prospect to generate the most interest in you as a potential college student-athlete.