How Coaches Can Excel on The Virtual Recruiting Stage

Doing more Zoom calls with prospects this year? Keep these things in mind:

Lots of you found our latest research on the class of 2023, and the spike in their desire to have phone and zoom conversations with coaches who are recruiting them, really interesting - I heard from a lot of you, and the workshop we did for Penn State University system coaches focusing on this new data got a lot of follow-up questions, too.

So as the next phase of what you should understand about your role ad a ‘performer’ on video calls with recruits, and what adding the visual aspect of communication means, I wanted to talk more about the Zoom, FaceTime and Skype calls you’ll be making in the coming weeks and months.

Because here’s the new reality for serious recruiters:

In an era where virtual recruiting and video recruiting calls, like Zoom, have become the norm, the ability to deliver good looking, engaging and impactful presentations on Zoom has become a crucial skill in college recruiting. Nailing your virtual presentation can leave a lasting impression, and - most importantly - cause you to be seen as a coach and program they should continue down the recruiting road with.

With that in mind, here are some of the best presentation tips to help you shine on Zoom calls with a new class of prospects:

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1. Prepare and Rehearse

Preparation is the cornerstone of any successful competition, as it is with any successful presentation. Treat your virtual presentation as you would an in-person one. Rehearse your talk - and what I mean by that is making sure the main conversation points are scripted in your own words, told with the right inflection, gestures and facial expressions. If you’re going to be doing video calls, you’re the star. Make sure you look and sound how you want to be perceived looking and sounding.

2. It’s All About a Strong Opening

Capture your prospect's attention right from the start. The best ‘hooks’ to use with newer prospects?…1) Making sure they know what you liked about them as an athlete when you scouted them or found out about them, 2) anything regarding scholarship possibilities or possible money for college, and 3) verbalizing that as of today, they are ‘officially being recruited’ to come and compete for you and your program. There are others you might prefer, which is fine, but suffice it to say: A strong opening sets the tone for the conversation and encourages recruits to sit up and stay engaged.

3. Master Visual Aids

If you’re using any kind of slides or visuals, make sure you’re creating something that is visually appealing…and when you do, make sure you stick with with concise text (8 to 10 words per slide, max), high-quality images that aren’t stretched funny or blurry, and generally minimal clutter on each slide. Remember, your slides are there to support your presentation as a background to what you are saying to them on this video call, not replace it.

4. Engage with Eye Contact

The biggest tip I can give you: Maintain eye contact by looking directly above the