In today's connected world, social media isn't just for scrolling - it's a powerful tool to highlight your athletes, promote your team, and build a stronger school community. Whether you're a coach, athletic director, or booster club member, leveraging platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) can take your team's visibility to the next level.
Here's how to do it effectively - and how it can even boost your team store sales along the way.
Highlight Athlete Achievements
Your student-athletes work hard. Show it off!
- Post game-day photos, stats, and highlight reels.
- Share individual athlete shoutouts for Player of the Game, academic success, or college commitments.
- Use "spotlight" posts with athlete bios or Q&As.
Pro Tip: Tag the athletes (and their parents or clubs, if possible) - this expands reach and engagement.
Post Consistently (Even in the Offseason)
Social media algorithms reward consistency. Keep your team top of mind year-round by scheduling posts, even when games aren't happening.
- Offseason workouts? Share it.
- Throwback photos? Fans love nostalgia.
- New gear from your online store? Show it off.
Pro Tip: Use tools like Canva, Buffer, or Meta Business Suite to plan and schedule posts in advance.
Promote Your Online Team Store
Your social media should drive fans to your Sportdecals microsite when the store is open.
- Post store launch coutdowns.
- Showcase mockups of hoodies, tees, and hats.
- Use videos or Reels to show your gear being unboxed or worn by players.
Pro Tip: Include the store link in your bio and every promotional post. Add "Swipe Up" links if you're using Stories.
Go Behind the Scenes
Fans love seeing what happens beyond the scoreboard.
- Show pre-game rituals, bus rides, locker room moments (with permission).
- Interview players and coaches for short-form video content.
- Film day-in-the-life content during tournaments or road trips.
Pro Tip: TikTok and Instagram Reels are perfect for this kind of content - keep it under 30 seconds, and keep it fun.
Use the Right Hashtags & Tags
Make your posts discoverable by using relevant hashtags:
- #Go[TeamName]
- #[SchoolMascout]Nation
- #[SportName]Life
- #TeamStoreNowOpen
Also tag your school, district, conference, sponsors, and local news outlets.
Pro Tip: Create a branded hashtag for your team and include it in every post.
Engage With Your Community
Don't just post - interact.
- Reply to comments and DMs.
- Re-share tagged posts from parents, students, and fans.
- Create polls, trivia, or "this or that" stories to encourage engagement.
Pro Tip: Assign a trusted student or assistant to help manage and monitor your team's social media (with school approval, of course).
Your team deserves recognition - not just in the local paper, but in every feed. A strong social media presence builds pride, boosts attendance, increases team store sales, and creates memories that last long after the final whistle.
Need help creating graphics or getting the word out about your online store? That's what we're here for at Sportdecals. Let us help you make your team look good - both online and on the field.