Videos, Graphics, Slides and More: Do They Work with Recruits?

College coaches put a ton of focus, time and effort into creating Disney-level animation and graphics. But should they?

One of our clients mentioned that they were getting a lot out the articles and training here on Honey Badger, which is great. I always like hearing that. And then I replied that if he had a topic he wanted addressed he should let me know, because ‘we take requests’.

So, he called in a request:

One of the things I’ve been trying to do is share graphics with the kids that we’ve created. We sent a general overview video and some slides about our values. I’d be curious to hear more about your thoughts on that. I think it’s important to give them material!

Great topic!

Every program, and every coach, in every sport, at every level, is focused on churning out videos, graphics and slides. I gave a quick fan of my coach-heavy X feed and found four graphics from coaching staffs heading out to scout and recruit, announcing where they will be, and when they’ll be there. Depending on the year, you’ll also see graphics and clips on all sorts of other timeline events, big wins…well, you know the drill (you’re one of the coaches in a program that’s churning it all out!)

So, everybody does it, the majority of the graphics look really good, and it’s part of the larger recruiting ecosphere.

Which brings me to ask:

Why do you need them?

Good question to start with. Define ‘the why’.

A few that I would argue for:

• Because everybody else does, first of all. Sadly, there’s value in that. Seriously, at a base level, you want to at least equal what other programs in your sphere are doing, and raise the quality to their level or better.

• It’s part of the variety that athletic prospects need. In our focus group surveys, 88% say that they stay more engaged with a coach and program who is recruiting them the more ways that program reaches out and tells their story. So, graphics aren’t the end-all-be-all, but they’re part of a mix (phone, text, email, mail, in-person, Facetime, social media, graphics and web) but they are part of a mix. The more elements you have mixed into your strategy, the more effective that strategy and message and ‘why’ stick. The majority of athletes want that, and need that. This is a long haul, and they need you to tell your story in a variety of ways. Less variety = less engagement. More variety = more engagements. Simple math.

• Some of your recruits are visual learners and communicators. You may not be, but for a recruit who responds psychologically to colors, graphics, video movement, or anything visual, this kind of recruiting message mixed into your overall strategy is important.

So: Video, graphics, slides, and the other more creative social media tools that you can use to get a prospect’s attention and tell a story are definitely part of the equation. But, this isn’t simply about putting up a graphic and then counting on it to work. In fact, based on observation and feedback from prospects, what they take in on social media has a limited shelf life. Useful, and it can impact them, but it’s limited in terms of how much sway it gives over a final decision in the eyes of the prospect.

That said, if you want maximum sway using those elements, here are some critical strategy points that we’ve seen work, and that we’d advise you to focus on these six vitally important creative rules, tips and strategies that other coaches have used successful as you create your next round of social media creations for your recruits:

Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

One of the biggest fallacies that coaches give in to is the idea that every prospects sees every post all the time. Not even close, Coach. They miss most of what you send, actually. Especially if you are sending things out during school or practice hours. Be strategic with your placement.

In addition, reuse them. Repeat posts. Especially evergreen graphics, videos and posts about the program, big milestones, and successes. Repeat what you post because you’re looking for maximum eyes on that content, and if you only post it once, you’re rolling the dice big time that your recruit actually sees that work of art you’ve put so much time and effort into.

Make them laugh.

Seriously, Coach. Don’t take yourselves so seriously. (I’m serious).

Pranks, jokes, acting like a fragile, real human being…all of those things are plusses. Pose with a funny face instead of a smile. Look cartoonishly serious. Whatever, Coach…just lighten up a little. When you make your prospect laugh, it fosters a psychological and emotional