What is the right way to get exposure?
Most of you High School Athletes have experience with social media. You probably started out by having an Instagram or TikTok account. Sharing fun pictures or movies with your friends and staying updated about each other’s life has become a daily activity. Getting an account for your Athletic highlights is going to work a little differently though…
In What is the right way to get exposure? I will explain the differences between your ‘fun’ social accounts and a more professional approach. The last one you definitely need when it comes to promoting your Athletic skills. By the end of this post, you will have learned how to set up a successful Twitter profile/X, how to stand out in the crowd and what pitfalls to avoid on social media.
The right way for talented High School Athletes to get exposure
Why is it important to get exposure?
If you enjoy playing your favorite sport, and know you are very talented and willing to work hard, you might have thought about playing sports beyond High School. If this is the case, you need help with highlighting your athletic skills.
The chances to play sports at a College or University on an athletic scholarship are not very big. When Coaches and programs don’t know about you and haven’t seen you play, it is impossible to expect any of them to reach out to you and invite you for a visit.
The right way for talented High School Athletes to get exposure
How do I stand out on social media?
One of the most powerful social media tools out there for Athletes and Coaches is Twitter or nowadays called X. Before you jump into signing up for a profile, it is very important to approach this a bit differently than your other socials.
- Realize that your profile is being seen and read by adults
- On Twitter/X, everything is traceable, what you post, retweet and like
- Who follows you is more important than the amount of followers
- Respond to DMs in a professional way and type in full sentences
The above template is a great example to use. Apply the examples to your own sport. The comments on the left and right show what are must-haves on a successful profile. If you have an additional Channel for your highlights, like Hudl, Reels or YouTube, make sure to attach the direct link in your profile.
"Twitter/X is a powerful social media tool for Athletes..."
The right way for talented High School Athletes to get exposure
What content is important to publish?
Setting up a good profile might feel a little awkward at first. Maybe you never liked the idea of sharing private details. Or you have been humble regarding your Athletic talents. The great way of getting exposure on Twitter/X is that once people who like watching you play know you have a profile, they will help you.
Coaches, Sports writers, Program directors and Parents of teammates are really helpful when it comes to spreading your highlights. Every post they like from you, every highlight that gets reposted is extra exposure for you. Also post a brief message with the link to your Reels or Hudl about the most recent game highlight. It can be as simple as mentioning the game, the opponent and date. Then add your direct link to that highlight.
The right way for talented High School Athletes to get exposure
Who should I follow?
As just mentioned, who follows you and who you follow is on Twitter/X much more important than the amount of followers you gather. Besides of course REPPIN HOOPERS, start following the Athletic account of your current High School and specific sport. Do the same for the Club team you play for. Coaches who know about your talent and work ethics are great to follow as well.
Sports related, start following some of your favorite College athletes. If you have a couple College programs you admire, start following the head coach or assistant coaches. The last ones often provide a lot of helpful knowledge for prospects and incoming freshmen. Your local sports writers are a helpful resource as developing a relationship with them might help if they are looking for an interview or an article to write.
The right way for talented High School Athletes to get exposure
What social media pitfalls should I avoid?
On Twitter/X, who you follow is important. But sometimes it is even more important to make a wise decision on who not to follow. Before hitting that follow-button, scroll down their feed and read their last 10 posts. That should give you a good idea about the content they post and the language they use. Feel okay to unfollow (or block) them if their content is not going to help you.
Make sure to have your profile set up to receive Direct Messages. If you use Direct Messaging to reach out to a Coach, think about communication manners. Be respectful and reread your message before hitting send. Make sure to check your DM’s (it is a little blue envelope lighting blue in the down right corner) and respond back in a timely way.
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The right way for talented High School Athletes to get exposure
I hope these tips and using the High School Athlete Template will be helpful for you. Make sure to come back to our BLOG regularly, as Reppin Hoopers has new posts all the time. Subscribe to our Newsletter which comes out once a month, so you stay up to date!
Parents and/or Athletes, if you feel you are hitting a roadblock or if you don’t know how to get this process starting, please reach out:
Reppin Hoopers provides Mini Sessions for Athletes and Sports Parents in which I can consult you. Questions you have, regarding challenges you and your Athlete encounter can be answered. My goal is to educate and assist anyone who wants to make their Sports career a success!
If you liked this post, please share it with other Sports Parents you know and encourage them to follow REPPIN HOOPERS.
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