In today’s digital age, social media has become a powerful tool for high school athletes looking to get noticed by college athletic programs. The days of relying solely on word of mouth to catch the eye of a coach are long gone. Now, coaches are turning to platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to scout talent. 

But, how can high school athletes effectively use social media to boost their chances of being recruited? Here’s a guide of 4 tips to help you navigate using social media to enhance your athletic recruitment journey.

1. Create a Professional Online Presence

Before you start posting about your athletic skills, it’s important to establish a professional online presence. You want to ensure that your social media profiles give a clear picture of who you are—both on and off the field. Here’s how to make sure you are putting your best foot forward:

• Clean up your profiles: Make sure your social media profiles reflect who you are as a person and an athlete. Delete any inappropriate content and keep your posts focused on your passion for your sport and your achievements.
• Update your bio: In your Instagram or Twitter bio, include essential details like your name, high school, sport, position, graduation year, and contact information. 

2. Share Your Athletic Journey with High-Quality Content

To attract the attention of college coaches, you need to regularly share high-quality content that highlights your skills, achievements, and work ethic. Here are some tips for sharing your journey:

• Highlight athletic footage: Share your best performances, game highlights, and accomplishments.
• Use videos to highlight your skills: Post video content to show off your talent. You don’t need to share full-length videos—short form clips are key. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter are perfect for short clips.

3. Be Intentional with Tags and Hashtags

When you post content, make sure to tag the teams and coaches you’re targeting. If you’ve been in contact with any college coaches or programs, tag them in your posts or stories. This keeps you on their radar and shows that you’re proactive and focused on getting recruited. Hashtags specific to your sport can help your posts get discovered by a broader audience. Do some research to find the best hashtags for your sport and region.

4. Engage with Coaches and Schools Directly

Social media isn’t just about posting—it’s about building relationships and engaging with potential college programs. Here’s how you can make direct connections with coaches:

• Reach out to coaches: Many college athletic programs have social media pages, and some coaches are active on platforms like Twitter and Instagram. Don’t be afraid to message them directly. Be respectful and professional—introduce yourself, mention why you’re interested in their program, and include a link to your posts or athletic profile.
• Stay engaged: Follow the coaches and schools you’re interested in. Engage with their content by liking, commenting, or sharing their posts. This shows your interest in their program.

In conclusion, while social media can be a great tool for getting noticed, it’s important to remember that the recruiting process takes time. You should also keep in mind that NCAA regulations dictate how a college coach can interact with a prospective recruit and this may influence the responses you get at certain stages of your recruitment journey. Coaches are looking for athletes who are committed, focused, and striving to be better—not just those with the best highlight reel. Be patient, keep posting, and continue to improve in your sport. If you stay dedicated to the process, the right opportunities will come your way.