This presentation is recruiting focused with an emphasis on content creation for ODU baseball on Instagram and TikTok.
Old Dominion Baseball competes in one of college baseball’s most talent rich regions. Yet in the recruiting arms race, visibility on social media can be the deciding factor for a high school prospect choosing between programs. This campaign, developed with the input of ODU Baseball’s social media director, proposes a structured, six-week content push on Instagram and TikTok designed to show recruits not just what the program looks like, but what it feels like to be a Monarch.
This looks like six weeks of posts, two platforms, four content series, and five-seven posts per week.
Here’s some examples;
Why does this work?
Today’s recruits are 15–17 year olds who grew up on TikTok. They are not reading press releases…they are watching 60 second videos and deciding whether a program’s culture matches their own. Authentic player testimonies and genuine behind-the-scenes access are more persuasive than any glossy highlight reel. This campaign meets prospects where they already spend their time and gives them a direct, honest view into the Monarch program.
- Mid-major programs are facing major challenges with recruiting, competing with power four schools for recruits with large budgets for social media and recruiting.
- The goal is to design something authentic where players see themselves fit in to a real culture.
- Engaging in discussions with Ms. Parncutt, my penpal, proved that through initiative like this, ODU and other mid majors can compete for high level recruits, ultimately leading to greater success.
An example of an engaging piece on content could be as simple as this, a weekly player spotlight template;
This whole process started as a cold email to Ms. Parncutt, a sports communication professional at ODU. NowI have a great understanding of the importance of social media in college sports. It can make or break recruit decisions, which can have lasting effects on the field. The Blueprint for Blue and Silver content campaign could genuinely improve ODU baseball recruiting, and similar styles of content would really help any mid major school trying to level up their social media game.
One this assignment reinforced for me is how relationship based the sports industry is. Reaching out and making connections could be a huge step in ones career that they are missing out on simply by not doing. The worst that can happen is you don’t get a response, however I was lucky enough to find some genuine support and interest.