Don’t Sleep on Email, Texts, and Phone Calls: Recruiting Communication Is Not All DMs
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Don’t sleep on the old-fashioned email.
Social media has changed the way athletes, coaches, recruiters, trainers, programs, and media outlets connect. Direct messages can be powerful. A good DM can start a conversation, introduce a player, share a highlight, or open a door.
But recruiting, exposure, promotion, and relationship-building are not built through DMs alone.
And honestly, don’t sleep on texting, answering the phone, or making a real phone call either.
It’s not all DMs.
Different People Communicate in Different Ways
One of the biggest mistakes athletes and families can make is assuming everyone communicates the same way.
Some coaches are active on social media every day. Some rarely check their messages. Some prefer email because it keeps everything organized. Some will respond faster to a text. Some still value a direct phone call because it shows maturity, confidence, and seriousness.
That means if you are trying to get seen, get recruited, build relationships, or create opportunities, you need to be willing to communicate in more than one way.
Coaches, recruiters, athletic departments, programs, parents, players, trainers, and media outlets all operate differently.
Some use Instagram.
Some use Twitter/X.
Some use email.
Some use text.
Some prefer phone calls.
Some are juggling hundreds of messages, schedules, rosters, highlights, games, practices, and responsibilities at once.
If you only rely on one form of communication, you may be missing opportunities.
Why Email Still Matters
Email may feel old-fashioned compared to social media, but it is still one of the most professional and organized ways to communicate.
For athletes, email is especially important because it gives you a clean way to send your information in one place.
A strong email can include:
Your name
Your school
Your graduation class
Your height and position
Your GPA
Your team or AAU program
Your highlight link
Your schedule
Your contact information
A short, professional message
That is valuable because coaches and programs can save it, forward it, search for it later, and keep it organized.
A DM can get buried fast.
An email can become part of a real recruiting file, contact list, or follow-up process.
Texting and Phone Calls Still Matter Too
Texting can be a great tool when communication has already been started. It is quick, direct, and easy to respond to.
But it still needs to be professional.
Use complete words. Be respectful. Respond in a timely way. Do not spam people. Do not send random messages with no context.
Phone calls matter too.
A player who can answer the phone, speak clearly, ask good questions, and carry a respectful conversation can stand out. That does not mean every athlete needs to be perfect on the phone, but communication skills matter.
Being able to talk to adults, coaches, recruiters, and program leaders is part of the process.
It shows maturity.
It shows confidence.
It shows you are serious.
Social Media Is Powerful, But It Should Not Be the Only Tool
Social media is still a huge part of modern recruiting and promotion.
It allows athletes to share highlights, post updates, tag programs, connect with media outlets, and build visibility.
But social media should be one piece of the system, not the entire system.
A smart communication plan may include:
Posting highlights on social media
Sending emails to coaches
Following up with a text when appropriate
Answering calls professionally
Making phone calls when needed
Keeping links, schedules, and contact information organized
The goal is not to choose one platform.
The goal is to be easy to find, easy to contact, and easy to evaluate.
Stay Organized
If you are serious about recruiting, promotion, or building opportunities, organization matters.
Keep a simple list of who you contacted, when you contacted them, what platform you used, and whether they responded.
This can be as simple as a spreadsheet or notes app.
Track things like:
Coach or program name
School or organization
Email address
Phone number
Social media handle
Date contacted
Follow-up date
Response
Notes
This keeps you from guessing. It also keeps you from accidentally messaging someone too many times or forgetting to follow up with someone who showed interest.
Be Professional Everywhere
Whether you are sending an email, text, DM, or making a phone call, the message should be professional.
That does not mean it has to sound fake. It just needs to be clear, respectful, and easy to understand.
A simple message is usually better than a long, messy one.
Introduce yourself.
Share why you are reaching out.
Include the important information.
Provide a link.
Say thank you.
Follow up the right way.
The way you communicate becomes part of your reputation.
Follow Up Without Being Annoying
Following up is important.
Many people do not respond right away because they are busy, not because they are ignoring you.
A good follow-up can help keep the conversation alive.
But there is a difference between following up and spamming.
Give people time. Stay respectful. Keep it short. Add value when you follow up, such as a new highlight, updated schedule, recent performance, or new academic information.
Example:
“Coach, I just wanted to follow up and share my updated highlights and upcoming schedule. Thank you again for your time.”
That is simple, professional, and useful.
The Bigger Lesson
Recruiting and exposure are not just about talent.
They are also about communication, organization, consistency, and relationships.
A player may have great highlights, but if nobody can find them, contact them, or get clear information, opportunities can be missed.
That is why athletes and families should not rely only on DMs.
Use social media.
Use email.
Use text when appropriate.
Answer the phone.
Make the call.
Follow up.
Stay organized.
Be professional.
Final Thought
The easiest way to miss an opportunity is to assume everyone communicates the same way.
Some people will find you through a highlight.
Some will respond to a DM.
Some will save your email.
Some will call.
Some will text.
If you want to be seen, recruited, promoted, or connected, you have to be ready to communicate in more than one way.
📧 Email still matters.
📱 Texting still matters.
☎️ Phone calls still matter.
💬 DMs still matter too.
BUT It’s not all DMs.
Stay organized. Be professional. Follow up.
No rankings. Just hoopers. 🏀
