While diving into the recruiting process and contacting coaches in hopes of playing at a collegiate level, sending out emails is the most common way for athletes to get recognized and build relationships that will help them achieve their goals. With that being said, there are many instances where athletes make easily-avoidable mistakes in sending out emails that can result in errors or misinterpretations being conveyed in their messages. To make the process more enjoyable and easier, we'll highlight 5 important tips to remember so you can send out the best emails possible while being recruited.
Use An Attention-Grabbing Subject Line
College coaches receive hundreds of emails from prospective athletes every year, so when you are looking to make an impact, the subject line is the easiest way to initially stand out. Your name, age/year, and team are three key items that should be listed in the subject of your emails to coaches. Make sure to lead with your name and capitalize it, so coaches can know who is reaching out to them right from the get go. Assuring the subject line is clean and concise will impress coaches, intriguing them into reading the entirety of your email.
Related: First Impressions Count: 3 Tips for Approaching College Coaches Via Email
Address The Coach By Their Name
Although it may seem like a simple task that is easy to remember, when sending out emails to multiple coaches it can sometimes be confusing when a coach doesn't see their name. Be sure to do your research here: make sure you're spelling their name correctly and that you have their title right. Adding this to every email you send out will ensure that the coach knows you are taking the time to make a good first impression and truly care about speaking with them.
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Make It Personal
Making things personal can be a plus during the recruiting process–it shows you're interested and invested! In your initial email, include reasons why you like the school and why you would be a good fit for their program with specific facts or reasons you could see yourself on their team. Many times when athletes send out emails with a general format that seems generic and not personal, it is easy for coaches to notice that it might not be genuine. Adding more details about the experience you hope to have and the qualities that set you apart from others is a significant way to indicate to coaches that you are a noteworthy prospect.
Say Thank You and Leave It Open
When sending any email to anyone, it's always respectful to thank them for taking the time to read your message. Thanking the coach at the end of the email is not only a way to show your appreciation, but also lets the coach know you have good intentions. Making sure there is room for a reply by saying that you look forward to hearing back from them soon, is a great way to improve the odds of securing a response. Leaving it open and light also shows you are not being forward but not too aggressive.
Include a Respectful Sign Off
Customary to all emails, including a sign off and your name are a perfect way to leave things off and ensure you are seen as professional. Have fun with your sign off and get creative by trying to use different ones with different coaches. Signing off is a simple and easy way to complete an email, and is a component you should always remember to add at your closing.
The emailing process may be something you have never done before, but it's a valuable asset that will help you get the attention you want when it comes to getting recruited. Remembering these tips while being persistent and consistent will be sure to help you grab the attention of a number of potential coaches!
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* Originally published on October 18, 2022, by Sarah Borer
