In Part 2 of this inbox-focused series, Susan and Jessie uncover the realities most athletes never consider when they get ghosted. From a target list that’s too ambitious, to software that prevents coaches from replying, to knowing when repeated silence means it’s time to adjust — this episode is the clearest guide you’ll find on how to course-correct your recruiting strategy.

You’ll also learn how to read open rates and link clicks, how to use Productive Recruit to identify alignment, and how to write emails that coaches actually want to open. This is a must-listen for any athlete serious about building real traction in their process.

Chapters

00:00 – Intro to Part 2

00:30 – The “hard truth” about aiming too high

02:00 – How to read your email traction using Productive Recruit

03:00 – When repeated ghosting means it’s time to pivot

04:40 – Why static target lists create stuck athletes

06:00 – Why D1 silence doesn’t always mean “no”

07:00 – The hidden problem with some recruiting software

09:00 – Why some emails never get delivered to a coach’s inbox

11:00 – When to keep emailing (and when to stop)

12:30 – The power of consistent email trends over time

14:00 – Why some coaches won’t reply even if they like you

15:30 – When a “no” really means stop emailing

17:00 – The right call-to-action for every email

18:00 – How to stand out in a flooded inbox

19:00 – Rapid-fire: What coaches want in an email

21:30 – Why authenticity matters more than stats

23:00 – Final advice: messy action beats perfect strategy

Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT

Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀

Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.

Are you the DIY type? Purchase the GETTING STARTED ACTION PLAN (*note this does not come with Recruiting Software OR 1:1 support)

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

Why do college coaches really ghost athletes in their inbox? In Part 1 of this two-part deep dive, Susan and Jessie break down the hidden reasons athletes get ignored — straight from Jessie’s firsthand experience as a former D1 athlete and partner of a long-time D1 recruiting coordinator.

From understanding a coach’s year-round workload to recognizing when your target list is too ambitious, this episode gives athletes and families the honest truth about why they’re not hearing back. You’ll learn what coaches actually look for when they open their inbox, how evaluations really happen, and how to assess whether your recruiting strategy is aligned or completely off-track.

If your athlete is emailing and hearing nothing but silence, this episode will change the way you approach the process.

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome + intro to today’s topic

01:00 – Meet Jessie and her transfer story

04:40 – What athletes don’t understand about coaching careers

06:30 – How coaching responsibilities impact email response times

10:30 – Why being “busy” is a very real factor in ghosting

13:00 – The year-long recruiting and coaching cycle no one talks about

16:00 – Why athletes think they’re being ignored

17:00 – Reason 1: Missing key components in an email

19:00 – Reason 2: Your highlight film isn't helping you

22:00 – Reason 3: Asking for a call before you’ve earned it

25:00 – Reason 4: You're emailing too early (and NCAA rules matter)

27:45 – Reason 5: Top athletes still need to signal interest

29:00 – Why coaches almost never call athletes who never emailed them

30:40 – Different recruiting timelines for different divisions

32:00 – Why two athletes with the same ability may hear back at different times

33:30 – The mindset shift athletes need during ghosting

Click here for a discount on our go-to, and the hands-down best and most affordable Recruiting Tool + Software we recommend every baller has to increase her efficiency in all that she does 👉🏼 PRODUCTIVE RECRUIT

Want to support your baller in getting her process started and have an experienced volleyball recruiting advisor walk her through it? Enroll in RECRUIT READY: LAUNCH 🚀

Need help getting unstuck in the recruiting process? Apply for a RECRUITING INTENSIVE.

Are you the DIY type? Purchase the GETTING STARTED ACTION PLAN (*note this does not come with Recruiting Software OR 1:1 support)

Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares deeply about your players, this podcast was made for you. Hit subscribe and come grow with us.

Welcome to Part 2, where Susan and three experienced college coaches dive straight into the tactical side of recruiting: emails, communication, social media, red flags, and how athletes can stand out in a crowded recruiting landscape.

In this episode, Kevin, Todd, and Jessie reveal exactly what gets their attention, the mistakes that cause them to stop evaluating an athlete, what they really do with highlight videos, and how athletes can build trust through consistent communication.

They also unpack showcases, timelines, parents stepping in at the wrong moments, and the difference between being seen and actually being recruitable.

If your athlete wants to be noticed — and remembered — this conversation is your playbook.

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome back to Part 2

01:00 – What makes a standout email to a college coach

03:45 – How often athletes should be emailing

05:30 – Red flags that instantly get athletes removed from a list

08:00 – How coaches evaluate highlight videos

11:30 – Instagram: what coaches check (and what they ignore)

14:45 – Exposure vs readiness: what families mix up

17:30 – Showcases: what actually matters

20:00 – Athlete-led vs parent-led communication

22:30 – When parents should step in

25:00 – What memorable athletes consistently do

28:00 – Real stories from past recruits

31:00 – How to stand out at tournaments

34:00 – Final advice for athletes navigating the process

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Learn more here: https://nxtvb.com/rr-launch

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Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram: @hey.susank

P.S. If you’re an athlete with big goals, a parent who wants to support the journey, or a coach who cares ...