Transparency Works Best in Recruiting
This basketball coach just learned that, and won a recruit! Here's how:
Got a follow-up message from a coach I spent some time with at the recent men’s Final Four NABC coaching convention in New Orleans this past week.
He wanted to update me on some advice and direction I gave him that ended up working the way they wanted it to (see my teaching points for you after you read his message here):
OK, here’s what I want you to take away from this, Coach:
Your best prospects are waiting for you to ask them to commit. I know you get tired of me telling you that, but it bears repeating. (Are you doing it?)
Your best prospects are waiting for you to show evidence that you like them and want them on your team. “But Dan, they should already know that…I’ve been telling them that for the last year and a half!” I get it, but they don’t. They need it again - one more time - as you ask them to commit.
100% transparency on your part earns you 100% transparency on their part. But again, you have to go first.
The voice note: Love it! I don’t recommend that often enough, but I think it’s a great personal touch.
Contact with the parents is key. Doing it first is recommended. Here’s my case for doing it.
Last thing: Want to eliminate the anxiety of waiting for a decision from a prospect? Do what this coach did. Establishing a timeline and fair but firm deadline are key steps in the process as well. Many coaches are discovering the truth in that principle we recommend.
We don’t usually send out our Honey Badger Recruiting training notes to everyone for free, but it’s been a while since we last did it, and I wanted to make sure you knew we’re here to help - especially you get neck deep into your next recruiting class.
This is probably the simplest, lowest cost way we can interact regularly with serious recruiters who want insights on the recruiting process, so if you aren’t a subscriber yet, give it a try. Lots and lots of coaches around college sports are benefiting from it.