The College Soccer Guy lists ten mistakes players make recruiting for college soccer: no highlight video, generic emails to coaches, relying on club staff instead of reaching out yourself, and letting parents email coaches. Using a recruiting agency email cuts response rates by 60 to 80 percent.
10 things I would never do if I want to play college soccer. I'm the College Soccer Guy, and I help you play college soccer in under 60 seconds. Number 1, you must have a video. Do not send an email without a video. Number 2, you need to have a YouTube page, soccer-specific. Number 3, you must have an Instagram page and a Twitter page, soccer-specific. Number 4, when you write your email, especially to your top 25 schools, you must add something Be genuine in every single email and do not give us statistics. Do not say, "Hi coach, congratulations on your season where you went 24-0." That's not genuine. A robot could do that. It has to be genuine to you and a genuine connection. Number 5, do not underestimate the power of your club team. Your club team is really important in this recruiting process. You cannot assume that because you're playing for a good coach and he's a nice guy or a nice gal that you cannot consider leaving. Every year you have to consider potentially leaving your club and finding the best club to get the most exposure. Number 6, do not depend on your club coach or your college soccer recruiting person at your club to do this for you. They can only be used once you've gotten the genuine interest. If you ask them to do things before you've done the work, not only will they not probably do the work for you, but they will not be as effective. If they make a phone call, cold call to a coach saying, "We've got this player, they're so good," and that coach does not respond to them, it's very likely you're dead in the water. Instead, get interest on your own from that coach and then have your coach follow up. And then even if the coach never gets a hold of them, you can follow up with another email saying, my coach messaged you, I just wanted to politely follow up. And that is enough right there. They don't need to actually get on the phone with the coach. They know what they're going to say— great player, nice person, you should take them. They just need to know that they were willing to call. Number 8: do not ever let your parents send an email on your behalf. You are the player, you must do it. Mom and Dad, we want your help, we want your guidance, but it can never come from your account. Number 9, do not use any recruiting agencies when you're sending your emails. You can use them for information if you want to, but if you send emails from those accounts and it says your name at their company, you will automatically get 60 to 80% less responses. That is not my opinion. That is a statistical fact. Number 10, call me if you want help. Links in the bio. Comment call and we can get on a call with you and your parents.
