How to Use Social Media to Get Recruited (The Right Way)

Introduction: Why Social Media Matters in Recruiting

In today’s digital age, social media is one of the most powerful tools for getting recruited. College coaches and recruiters are no longer just attending high school games or AAU tournaments—they are actively scouting talent on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. If you’re a serious athlete looking to play at the next level, you need to leverage social media the right way to maximize your exposure and showcase your skills.

However, social media can also be a distraction if used incorrectly. In our previous post, “TikTok Hoopers vs. Real Hoopers – What Really Matters”, we highlighted how social media can lead athletes to focus on clout rather than development. This post, in contrast, will show you how to use social media as a powerful recruiting tool instead of a distraction.

But how do you ensure that you’re tracking your progress effectively? This is where the Athletic Balance Basketball Journal comes in. It’s designed to help you set goals, track your stats, and reflect on your journey—all essential components of your social media strategy. If you want to stand out to recruiters, you need to be organized and intentional about your growth, both on and off the court.

The journal is structured to help athletes focus on three key areas:

• Basketball Performance – Track your weekly game stats, set skill development goals, and evaluate practice sessions.
• Mental Health & Resilience – Perform mindset check-ins, manage stressors, and stay mentally prepared for competition.
• Academic Excellence – Ensure you maintain strong grades while balancing basketball commitments.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the exact steps to build your social media brand, attract college coaches, and position yourself as a recruitable athlete while using the Athletic Balance Basketball Journal to keep your progress on track. Let’s get started!

1. Choose the Right Platforms

Not all social media platforms are created equal when it comes to basketball recruiting. Some platforms are more popular among coaches, while others are better for building a personal brand. Here’s a breakdown:

✅ Best Platforms for Basketball Recruitment:

• Twitter – The most used platform by college coaches. Great for posting stats, game highlights, and interacting with recruiters.
• Instagram – Best for visual content like highlight reels, training clips, and game footage.
• YouTube – Ideal for full-length highlight videos and mixtapes.
• TikTok – Growing in popularity, but mainly for basketball entertainment content.

Pro Tip: If you only have time to focus on one platform, go with Twitter and Instagram for the best recruiting exposure. Use your Athletic Balance Basketball Journal to track which platforms and posts are getting the best engagement and adjust your strategy accordingly.

2. Optimize Your Profile for Coaches

Before posting anything, make sure your profile is set up correctly. A clean, professional, and easy-to-navigate profileincreases the chances of a coach noticing you.

What to Include in Your Bio:

✅ Full Name (First & Last)
✅ Graduation Year (Class of 202X)
✅ Position(s) Played
✅ Height & Weight
✅ High School & AAU Team
✅ Contact Info (Email & Coach’s Email)
✅ GPA (If Strong)
✅ Link to Highlight Reel (YouTube or Hudl)

Pro Tip: Keep track of your stats, growth, and achievements in your Athletic Balance Basketball Journal, under the Basketball Goals and Stat Tracking sections, so you can quickly update your bio with the most relevant information for coaches.

3. Post High-Quality Basketball Content Regularly

Once your profile is optimized, it’s time to start posting. The key is to create engaging content that showcases your skills, work ethic, and personality.

What to Post:

✅ Game Highlights – Best plays from games (15-60 second clips)
✅ Training Videos – Show skill development (shooting, dribbling, defense)
✅ Stat Lines – Post your best games with points, rebounds, assists, etc.
✅ Workout Photos/Videos – Show your dedication and progress
✅ Thank You Posts – Acknowledge interest from schools, coaches, or camps
✅ Academic Achievements – Show that you’re a student-athlete

Pro Tip: Use your Athletic Balance Basketball Journal to log your biggest strengths and areas for improvement each week in the Game & Practice Reflection section. This will help you plan your social media content and highlight what truly matters to coaches.

4. Engage with Coaches and Schools

Social media isn’t just about posting content—you also need to interact with college programs.

How to Engage with Coaches:

✅ Follow the head coach, assistant coaches, and team pages of schools you’re interested in
✅ Like and comment on their team updates and player highlights
✅ Retweet announcements (game results, recruiting updates)
✅ DM coaches with your highlight reel and academic info (be professional!)
✅ Use #RecruitMe hashtags to increase visibility (e.g., #NCAARecruits #BasketballRecruit)

Pro Tip: Track your interactions with coaches in your Athletic Balance Basketball Journal—log which schools you’ve reached out to, their responses, and any feedback they give under the Personal Development Goals section.

5. Create a Highlight Reel That Gets Noticed

One of the biggest mistakes athletes make is having a bad highlight tape. Your highlight reel is your digital resume—make it count!

Highlight Reel Must-Haves:

✅ Best plays first (first 30 seconds should be 🔥)
✅ Keep it between 2-4 minutes
✅ Show all-around skills (shooting, passing, defense, IQ)
✅ Use clean, professional editing (no crazy effects)
✅ Include your name, position, and contact info at the beginning

Pro Tip: Use your Athletic Balance Basketball Journal to log your standout performances and keep track of what to include in your highlight reel.

6. Stay Consistent and Be Patient

Recruiting is a long-term process, and social media is just one part of it. The key is consistency—keep posting, engaging, and improving.

Final Thoughts: Use the Athletic Balance Basketball Journal to Stay on Track

If you’re serious about playing at the next level, social media is a powerful tool to help you get recruited—but only if you use it correctly.

✅ Optimize your profiles with the right info
✅ Post high-quality basketball content regularly
✅ Engage with college programs and coaches
✅ Share a professional highlight reel
✅ Be patient, professional, and consistent

💡 The Athletic Balance Basketball Journal is the perfect tool to track your goals, measure your progress, and stay organized on your journey to recruitment.