What are recruiting services, Recruiting Advisors and Independent Educational Consultants? Part 2 of 3

The College Sports Recruiting Advisor

The biggest difference I highlight to my clients when explaining why they should choose me and the PrepSearch model over traditional recruiting services is simple. For me, the Advisor model is not just a business, it’s about relationships. All of my clients start as friends and, over time, become like family. The relationship we build is not transactional like with recruiting services. Instead, it’s highly transformational, rooted in trust and mutual care.

The first question I ask any potential family before we dive into their recruiting needs analysis is this: Do you want someone to write your emails and call college coaches on your behalf? If so, I’m not the right person for you. You might want a recruiting service.

In nearly twenty years in this business, I have never once called a college coach for a client, and I never will.

The role of College Sports Recruiting Advisors has evolved significantly since the mid-2000s. People like me believed there was a better way to help students and families navigate the recruiting process in a comprehensive, fair, and personalized manner. I see my work in much the same way as other professionals people hire for specialized services like accountants or financial planners.

Choosing a recruiting advisor should be just as thoughtful and deliberate. It’s not just about filling out forms or sending emails, it’s about guiding families through a complex and sometimes overwhelming process.

When I started PrepSearch in 2007, there were literally fewer than a dozen people doing what I do. Today, there are hundreds of professionals specializing in college sports recruiting. However, there’s still a huge range in what these professionals actually do, and more importantly, how they do it.

One key benefit of working with an Advisor over a traditional recruiting service is the level of experience and training Advisors bring to the table. Unlike recruiters whose focus is primarily on making sales, many Advisors, like myself, adopt a hybrid approach. For example, I became an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) and earned certification through recognized governing bodies, such as the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC).

This means that I’m committed to helping families with the entire college process, not just the athletics recruiting part. In addition to recruiting support, I help my clients with things like essay formation, college list creation, interview prep, tutoring,  test prep, and more.

I market myself as an Independent Educational Consultant who specializes in working with prospective student-athletes. My background as a College Athletic Director, Head Coach, Professor, and College Advisor allows me to provide a unique and comprehensive service. In next week’s post, I’ll dive deeper into the role of an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC).

When you compare the Advisor model to a traditional recruiting service, keep in mind that recruiting services make money by selling access to college coaches, often through cold calls and emails. It’s a sales-driven model. Advisors, on the other hand, customize their approach to each client. While some may contact college coaches directly on behalf of their clients, I never have and never will. I firmly believe in empowering my clients to take charge of their recruiting journey.

Some of my clients work with me for just one year, while others I guide throughout their entire high school career, until they sign with a college. The cost of hiring an Advisor or a recruiting service will depend largely on the amount of time you need their services. However, one thing I emphasize up front is that if you’re looking for someone to make those calls and send those emails for you, I’m not your guy.

What sets PrepSearch apart from other Advisors, recruiting services, and IECs is our proprietary Sports Recruiting Needs Analysis and customized software. This tool allows me to create individualized college lists for each client—providing a strong foundation for our work together.

If you’re considering working with an Advisor, recruiting service, or IEC, I encourage you to do your research. One thing you’ll likely notice is a wealth of online reviews especially for recruiting services. Some will be glowing, others critical. But here’s something important to keep in mind: Due to privacy concerns, reviews for Advisors and IECs are often limited, since much of our work benefits minors. While you might not find many detailed online reviews, you will find testimonials on our websites.

As with any service, take the time to consider what model best fits your needs and financial situation. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to college recruiting, and choosing the right professional to guide you through the process is a crucial decision.

To learn more about PrepSearch and how I’ve helped over 1,700 students attend college through sports since 2007, please explore the rest of my website. For more information about my seminars for high schools and clubs or to inquire about my recruiting advisory services for prospective student-athletes and their families, feel free to complete the contact form on my website at www.prepsearch.net.

If you know a prospective student-athlete in grades 8-12 who could benefit from additional free exposure to college coaches, have them download the new PrepSearch app today! It’s available now for download in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Stores.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.prepssearchappsapp

https://apps.apple.com/app/prepsearch-app/id6738037970

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