I'm sure we can all agree that writing really effective recruiting messages is one of the keys to getting the attention of the recruits you really want, right?

Recruits are going to be naturally drawn to coaches with similar tastes, whether it’s a matter of liking the same pro sports team or having the same music on your iPod. If you can make that happen, you will elevate your chances of capturing your prospect's ongoing attention.

But that's only the first step in stealing their attention away from the other competitors that are also jockeying for position in the high stakes game of college recruiting.  If you read the rest of today's recruiting tip from Selling for Coaches, you'll get a complete step-by-step plan on creating an effective opening to practically any recruiting message that you sit down to write.

Re-read those two opening paragraphs.  There are three components to the structure of the paragraphs that may just hold the key to creating a really effective recruiting letter.

Here's how it works...

First, try to get them to buy in to an agreeable opening sentence.  I did it in the sentence that opens with, "I'm sure we can agree that..." 

Some other opening sentences in recruiting letters might sound similar:

• “Can we shake hands and agree that...”
• “As a college prospect, you probably are looking for a coach who is going to be honest with you...”
• “You'd risk being called foolish by your friends if you didn't take a serious look at the full-ride offer we're talking with you about..."

When you get your athletic prospect to agree with you as they are reading your message, you make them feel like they are on an equal level with you when they see that their own opinions are being positioned as widely accepted fact, which will also make them more apt to want to continue reading. 

Step two of the process involves getting your prospect to buy-in to a core need of theirs that you want them to agree with you on.

The simplest way to do that is with a statement that establishes that what they just agreed on isn’t enough, or isn’t the final answer . . . and that they’re going to miss out if they don’t keep reading.

It shouldn't be too hard to do.  Take a look at the second paragraph above.  See what it does?  Here are some other examples you might use in your letter to a recruit:

• “But the promise of playing time as a Freshman may not be a promise most other coaches can keep..."
• “Picking the right school isn't as easy as it sounds...”
• “The stadium you play in is only a small part of what makes a college the right fit...”

Set up the need, and you can be sure that your prospects will continue to read, if only to see if they already know what you’re about to reveal to them.  At this point, they're not going to leave your message.  They are fully engaged in what you are saying, which is what you want.

The third and final step is to get your prospect looking ahead and anticipating something you can promise them in your message.

It's not necessarily a promise of a scholarship.  It's the promise of a conversation about good things to come:

• "...you will find that what we can offer a lot more with our new dorms than most schools can."
• "...we'll show you that our conference is going to challenge you and make you a better athlete."
• "...you're going to get a REAL chance to play from the word go here in my program."

Once you’ve established a connection with them, convinced them of their need and given them assurance of an immediate take-away, the stage is set for them to read down to the very last word.

Not only will they read every word of this particular message, they'll be more curious and engaged the next time they get a letter or email from you.  In recruiting, that's the ultimate "win-win" situation.

A great customized recruiting plan is easy to develop with the help of the recruiting experts on Dan Tudor's team at Selling for Coaches.  For more information on this incredible recruiting tool that can make a big difference in the way you recruit, just click here or email Dan personally at dan@sellingforcoaches.com with your questions about the Total Recruiting Solution plan.