How to use Twitter as a College Baseball Recruiting Tool

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The Basics of your Twitter Handle

We are here to help potential college baseball players, and any other potential college athletes help in their recruitment process. Read on for tips, do’s and don’ts, and examples of how your Twitter profile should look and what you should tweet for more college recruiting exposure. Let’s dive in on how to use Twitter as a College Baseball Recruiting Tool. 

  • Include your first and last name in the Twitter handle
    • Make it easy for coaches to find you by name. If you have a common name, insert a number after your name such as your jersey number, birthday, etc.
  • Use a Clear Profile Picture
    • Make sure your profile picture is a close-up of your face and/or you in uniform. Something easily recognizable. Your solo baseball picture would be perfect or a showcase photo.
  • Essentials:
    • Name of High School and Team 
    • Class Year
    • Position(s)
    • Right Handed/Left Handed
    • GPA (If respectable)
    • Link to your personal email
    • Use your real location
    • Allow Direct Messages
    • Pin your latest video highlight clip and say “Check out my latest highlights”
      • May also add:
        • ACT/SAT Score if very good
        • Height/Weight

Do’s

  • Follow Schools you are interested in
  • Follow Coaches or Players you are interested in
  • Cast a wide net. Don’t be afraid to expand your options. Reach out as far as you think is reasonable for you.
  • Retweet positive tweets such as highlights, quotes, videos, etc. from other coaches, teams, and players
  • Constantly post your own highlights and retweet any posts that mention you
  • Using “@”:
    • Tag your own baseball team so they can retweet it. Those who follow your current High School or Club Team will see both your tweet and their retweets.

Don’ts

  • Tweeting anything negative
  • Tweeting or retweeting disrespectful or controversial tweets
  • Not responding to Direct Messages
  • Sending too many Direct Messages
  • Follow controversial people or anyone that would give a negative reflection on you. (Models, Politicians, etc). Keep it sports and baseball related.

 

Be Smart, Respectful, Humble, and Don’t Overthink

  • If a coach or team follows you back, be pleasantly surprised.
  • Try not to be ecstatic and look needy. It doesn’t mean a scholarship is on its way.
  • Always be professional. Coaches are watching your conduct on Twitter once they follow you.
  • Don’t be cocky or arrogant when you post highlights of yourself.
  • Be humble and thankful.
  • When tweeting highlights, keep your comments short and simple, such as: “Some highlights from my showcase this weekend! Thank you to @PAC-12 @Stanford for giving me the opportunity”
  • Thank those who write about you when retweeting. Example: “Thank you John Smith and the Sun Times Register for the nice write up about my game on Friday! @JohnSmithSTR @SunTimeRegister”
    • The more people and teams you add that you are thanking, anyone who follows those will see it and appreciate it. 

#1 Rule

  • Does your Twitter Profile represent you well?
    • This is the main thing to ask yourself! If someone who doesn’t know me or anything about me, see my profile and like it? 
    • If the answer is no, or skeptical, update your profile to be clean, clear, and respectful. 

Twitter College Athlete Recruiting Profile Examples:

Very simple and to the point. The Bio’s are easy to understand what school, year, team, position. Along with GPA info and height/weight info. Both profiles also show their location along with a link to highlight videos. 

How to quickly update your Twitter Profile

  • Once logged into Twitter, click on your picture on the top left of the app. 
  • If on desktop, menu will be on far left.

Go to “Profile”, then “Edit Profile”

  • Here is where you can add: Name, Bio, Location, Website (highlight link)
  • In the “Bio” section, it should look like the examples above

Example Bio – Template

  • 3B/P | RH | 6’0 175 lbs. | Napa High School | 2023 | Napa RiverDogs Baseball 17u | 3.75 GPA |Uncommitted |
  • Grizzlybear20@gmail.com
  • Napa, CA
  • Born March 2005

Conclusion

In today’s world of social media, and the fast paced world of college athlete recruiting, you want to get ahead as soon as possible. If your goal is to play college baseball or college sports, first and foremost, make sure you have the grades for it! Then work with your coach and program about realistic possibilities, what your goals are, what location you prefer, and what type of program you want to play for. That will help narrow down your list. Then from there, follow the steps and tips above on How to Use Twitter as a College Baseball Recruiting Tool.