Welcome to our essential weekly blog series on college recruitment! Whether you're just beginning your journey or are already deep into the process, this series is designed with you in mind. We'll delve into crucial topics like crafting an impressive highlight video, developing a strategic college list, and mastering the art of securing scholarships. Regardless of where you stand, our series is filled with essential tips and guidance to propel you towards success. Join us every week as we equip you with the insights and tools necessary to confidently navigate the recruitment landscape. 

In Today’s Edition

• Join our FREE Soccer Scholarship Community and connect with like-minded players and parents navigating the same path.

• Beyond the Field: Crafting Your Digital Soccer Identity!

• 100+ Athletes Committed for 27: What's Your CSN Score?

Feeling Lost or Confused on Your Soccer Scholarship Journey?

You’re not alone! Join our FREE Soccer Scholarship Community and connect with like-minded players and parents navigating the same path.

✅ What You’ll Get:

• A supportive space to ask questions and share advice

• Valuable tips on camps, ID clinics, and roster updates

• Insights on which schools are full or still recruiting

• A chance to win FREE CSN swag with our leaderboard feature

Let’s tackle this journey together—join for FREE today! ⚽🎓

Today’s Article:

Beyond the Field: Crafting Your Digital Soccer Identity!

Build Your Brand: A Coach's Guide to Social Media

After 20 years of coaching Division I soccer, I’ve seen the recruiting game change dramatically. The biggest shift? The power of social media. It's no longer just a place to connect with friends; it’s your digital resume, your personal highlight reel, and your brand headquarters, all rolled into one. Every day, I see players either boosting their stock or tanking it with a single post.

Many players and parents underestimate how closely coaches watch social media. It gives us a window into your character, work ethic, and passion for the game that stats and highlight tapes alone can't provide. If you're serious about playing at the next level, you need a social media strategy. This isn't about going viral; it's about building a credible, hardworking brand that tells coaches you're the real deal.

Your Social Media Game Plan: Twice a Week

Consistency is everything. A single great post is nice, but a pattern of excellence is what catches our eye. I recommend a simple but effective schedule: post meaningful content twice a week. This frequency shows sustained commitment without overwhelming your followers (or us). It keeps you top of mind and demonstrates that your dedication isn't a fleeting phase—it's a lifestyle.

By sticking to this schedule, you are actively shaping your narrative. You control what coaches see. Are you a flashy player who only shows up for big moments, or are you a grinder who loves the process? Your feed tells that story.

What to Post: The Four Pillars of a Strong Brand

Your content should be a mix of on-field success and off-field dedication. You want to show coaches that you are not just a talented player, but a complete athlete who is committed to improvement.

1. Showcase Your Soccer IQ and Big Moments

This is the most obvious, but it needs to be done right. Don't just post a blurry video of a goal. Curate your best moments. We want to see more than just the ball hitting the back of the net.

• Great Goals & Assists: Highlight your finishing ability, but also showcase your vision with a perfectly weighted through-ball or a game-changing cross.

• Defensive Highlights: Are you a defender? Show us a perfectly timed slide tackle, a crucial goal-line clearance, or you winning a tough 1v1 battle. These moments are just as valuable as goals.

• Soccer Moments: Post clips that display your soccer IQ. Maybe it's a clever off-the-ball run that created space for a teammate, a quick combination play, or you organizing your team's defensive shape. This shows us you understand the game on a deeper level.

When you post these clips, add a simple, professional caption. Something like, "Great team win this weekend. Happy to contribute with this assist. #ClassOf2027 #ECNL" is perfect.

2. Celebrate Your Accolades (Humbly)

Receiving an award is a significant achievement, and you should share it. It validates your performance and shows that your contributions are being recognized.

• Player of the Match: A simple photo with a caption thanking your teammates and coaches works best. "Honored to be named Player of the Match. Couldn't have done it without my teammates."

• All-Conference/All-State: This is a major accomplishment. Post a graphic or photo and express gratitude.

• Team Championships: Celebrate team success! A photo of the team lifting a trophy tells us you're a winner and a team player.

The key here is humility. Frame your success as a result of hard work and team effort. It shows maturity and character.

3. Prove Your Work Ethic: The Grind

This is what separates the good from the great. What do you do when no one is watching? Your social media should give us a glimpse. We want to recruit players who are intrinsically motivated.

• Gym Workouts: Post short clips of you working on your strength, speed, and agility. Lifting, cone drills, plyometrics—show us you're building your engine. It proves you understand the physical demands of the college game.

• On-Field Training: Film yourself working on your craft. Show us you practicing free kicks, working on your weak foot, or doing technical drills. This demonstrates a commitment to skill development beyond your required team practices.

These "grind" posts are incredibly powerful. They tell a coach that you aren't afraid of hard work and that you have the discipline to improve on your own. It screams "low-risk, high-reward" recruit.

4. Let Your Personality Shine (Professionally)

Finally, it’s okay to be a person! We want to see your personality.

• Supporting Teammates: Congratulate a teammate on their college commitment or a great performance. It shows you're a good person and a supportive teammate.

• Volunteering/Community Service: Are you involved in your community? Share it. It speaks volumes about your character.

• Academics: Did you make the honor roll? Post it. We are recruiting student-athletes, and academic success is a huge part of the evaluation.

Final Whistle: You Never Know Who's Watching

I can’t stress this enough: you are always being evaluated.

What we see matters. A feed full of incredible goals, workout clips, and team celebrations tells one story. A feed with unprofessional content, complaints, or nothing at all tells another.

Take control of your brand. Be intentional. Be consistent. Show us the player and the person you are. The recruiting journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Start building your brand today, post by post, and grind your way to the top. The opportunity is there for the taking!

Get Expert Guidance for Your Soccer Journey

Have more questions about the recruitment process? Don’t tackle them alone. Schedule a free 15-minute Zoom call with Steve who can provide you with personalized support and a clear direction forward.

Join us as we empower you to take charge of your recruitment and turn your dreams into reality

🎯 Stop Wasting Time and Money on the Wrong Schools! What’s your CSN Score?

Your CSN # is the key to understanding which colleges are the perfect fit for your athletic and academic profile. It’s a precise measure that helps identify schools that recruit players with your unique resume and skills.

🚨 1115 female athletes have already committed to 43 North East colleges for the class of 2027, with CSN Numbers ranging from 30 to 90. (Schools such as Syracuse, Cornell and Penn State have probably already filled their 2027 rosters!)

We've developed an algorithm that accurately predicts the types of schools that will recruit you based on your personal CSN number and each college’s CSN profile. 

Want to join them? Knowing your CSN # puts you on the path to achieving your college athletics goals and finding a school that values you.

📊 Discover where YOU stand and uncover the best opportunities waiting for you.

The CSN # (College Soccer Network Number) is your personalized recruiting tool to focus your efforts on the right colleges.

Why Get Your CSN?

✅ Target Schools with Laser Focus
Identify colleges that recruit players with similar profiles.

✅ Save Time and Money
Avoid camps and schools that aren’t a fit.

✅ Data-Driven Recruiting
Understand where you stand and what to aim for.

Take Control of Your Journey

Sign up for your CSN # today and focus on schools that match your soccer resume.

👉 Click here to activate your CSN # and start targeting the right schools today! After you purchase, you'll get an email from us requesting a bit of information—once received, we'll send you your personalized number within 24 hours.

Your Go-To Websites/Social Media Leaders

• The Steve Coxon Soccer Network - Click Here

• Join our FREE Soccer Scholarship Community and connect with like-minded players and parents navigating the same path - or

• Soccer Spotlight Video, run by ex-D1 player Jack Burridge, can turn your full-game footage or specific timestamps into polished highlight videos - Click Here

• 2024 Men's NCAA Division 1 Soccer Tournament Bracket - Click Here

• 2024 Women's NCAA Division 1 Soccer Tournament Bracket - Click Here

• RPI - Check out the Women's College Soccer RPI by clicking this link.

• RPI - Check out the Men's College Soccer RPI by clicking this link.

• NCAA Eligibility Center - Click Here 

• United Soccer Coaches - Awards and Rankings 

• Twitter/X - @Imyouthsoccer

• Twitter/X - @ImCollegesoccer

• Exclusive Insights from College Coaches on the Recruiting Process - https://discovercollegesoccer.com/schools/

• The Informed Athlete - Helping student-athletes excel in sports and academics while navigating eligibility rules - Click Here

About: Steve Coxon College Soccer Network

Steve has 20 years of college-level experience, 17+ years in D1 as the Head Recruiter. He has facilitated more than $30 million in college scholarships.

Location - Connecticut, USA