Thoughts from the U.S. Embassy in London: Exposure Matters

As I'm out of the country at the moment, I had to make an unexpected trip to the U.S. Embassy in London after my passport was damaged. I've got a lot of time on my hands today, so I thought I would reflect a little on something I get asked about all the time: exposure in the recruiting process and how Prep Dig can help.   One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is that if you're good enough, college coaches will find you.   Sometimes that happens. But there are a lot of really talented volleyball players out there, and college coaches have limited time and resources. They can't be everywhere, watch every match or know every player who might be a good fit for their program.   That's where exposure comes in.   Exposure isn't about posting a hundred highlight videos or constantly telling everyone how good you are. It's about getting the right information in front of the right people and giving coaches a reason to take a closer look.   And that's one of the things I enjoy most about covering Arkansas volleyball for Prep Dig.   I've spent a lot of time in gyms across the state watching players, talking with coaches, researching statistics and looking for talent that might otherwise go unnoticed. Some of those players are already well-known names. Others are playing at smaller schools or in areas that don't always get the same attention.   Talent doesn't stop at the city limits of Fayetteville, Bentonville, Conway or Little Rock. There are players all over Arkansas who deserve to be seen.   How can Prep Dig help?   First, get your free player profile set up and keep it updated. Your school, club, position, graduation year, height, statistics and video all help tell your story. Make it easy for someone who reads an article or sees your name in the rankings to learn more about you.   Second, understand that rankings and articles are two different things. Rankings are evaluations of players within their graduating classes. My articles are an opportunity to highlight performances, introduce new names and bring attention to players who are doing good things on the court.   Not every player I write about is ranked, and not every ranked player is going to be featured every week. I'm trying to cover as much of Arkansas as possible and find players who deserve a closer look.   Third, use that exposure as part of your recruiting process. If you're featured in an article, share it. Include it in an email to a college coach. Make sure your film and recruiting information are current. Give that coach a reason to watch more.   But remember, exposure is a tool, not a scholarship offer. You still have to do the work. Reach out to schools, attend appropriate camps, build relationships and find programs that fit you academically, athletically and personally.   The New Prep Network App   And speaking of exposure, Prep Network just launched its new mobile app, which I think is going to be a great addition for players, parents and coaches.   The new app brings Prep Dig articles, player profiles, rankings, recruiting information and showcase opportunities together in one place. You can follow players and teams, receive notifications and keep up with coverage without having to constantly search the website.   It's free to download, and if you already have a Prep Dig account, you can use your existing login.   For players and parents, I think one of the biggest benefits is having that information more accessible. When a coach wants to learn about a player, having an updated profile, video, statistics and scouting coverage in one place can make a difference.   Prep Dig also offers additional recruiting tools through Prep Dig+, including the ability to see when college coaches view your profile, research potential college matches and find contact information to help with outreach.   But I want to stress something. You don't have to pay for a subscription to start taking advantage of Prep Dig. Claiming and maintaining your free profile is a great first step.   You can find the app here:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/prep-network/id6761510133">Apple App Store</a></li>   <li><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.prepnetwork.app">Google Play</a></li>   <li><a href="https://prepdig.com/app/">Prep Network App Information</a></li> </ul>   A Few Final Thoughts from London   I get messages all the time from parents asking why their daughter isn't ranked, why I haven't written about a certain player or how they can get more exposure.   I welcome those messages. I can't be in every gym, and I certainly don't know every talented player in Arkansas. Coaches, parents and players have been a tremendous help in bringing new names to my attention.   But remember, being mentioned in an article or appearing in a ranking is just one piece of the recruiting puzzle.   A college coach still needs to see your ability, understand your academic goals and decide whether you fit what their program needs. A ranking doesn't guarantee an offer, and not being ranked certainly doesn't mean you can't play college volleyball.   My goal has always been to cover Arkansas volleyball as thoroughly and fairly as possible. From the biggest 6A programs to the smallest schools in the state, I want to find players who can play and help tell their stories.   So take a few minutes today. Claim your profile. Update your information. Add your film. Download the new app. And most importantly, be proactive about your own recruiting process.   You never know which coach might be looking for a player exactly like you.   Now, hopefully, I can get this passport situation handled and get back to enjoying my vacation!   Regards,   Rob

As I'm out of the country at the moment, I had to make an unexpected trip to the U.S. Embassy in London after my passport was damaged. I've got a lot of time on my hands today, so I thought I would reflect a little on something I get asked about all the time: exposure in the recruiting process and how Prep Dig can help.