Yes, there is a better way to recruit – like winning the College World Series but you can’t count on that can you? The next best thing is your website.
Whether you like it or not you have only one chance to make a first impression.
First Impressions Can Make Or Break A Relationship
Like we just said, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. The rule is that everything counts - even your programs website.
“During our initial interactions, though, theorists also argue that we form a perception of how costly or rewarding a future relationship would be (Predicted Outcome Value Theory, Sunnafrank). Essentially, during an initial conversation, we form a positive or negative judgment about forming a future relationship with a person. The theory argues, and research supports, that if we form positive judgments, then we will communicate more with this person and seek more information. Conversely, if we form a negative judgment, we will restrict our communication (see Horan et al., 2009; Mottet, 2000).” - Psychology Today, The Extraordinary Importance of First Impressions; Oct 2014.
The lesson is this: Your website holds the key to a great first impression.
Consistant Message
Even though the article posted in the Nov/ Dec 2015 issue of The Baseball Observer
Magazine titled "Danger-Social Media, Stone Cold Facts" was written to inform players, it also applies to college baseball programs. The quote "Like it or not, social media is now beoming part of most coaches checklist for recruits", can be re-worded as "Like it or not, social media (and baseball program websites) are now a part of most potential recruits checklist for choosing a college baseball program."
You might have had a great initial contact with a potential recruit. You said all the right things and he seems very interested.
You tell the recruit and parents how involved you are with your players, how you have their best interests in mind, they'll get great instruction, education, etc.. But does you website continue this message?
If your website info is poor it will contradict and undermind your efforts.
What We Found
Here are several things we found on many sites that will kill a recruit’s interest. Several had more than one issue.
•One page – no links, news, players,
etc.
•Website looked as though it was
done in 1990 (and never been
updated).
•Mailing address for the baseball
program wasn’t on the website.
•There were no easy links to the
coaching staff or were not available.
(Many times we had to hunt through
different pages or never did find
the coaches).
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