Why Should an Athlete Create and Pin an Intro Video?

Someone who lands on your profile may have never seen you play or heard your story. A pinned intro video gives them a place to start: what you play, what this page is about, and why they might want to follow along. Pinning it keeps that introduction easy to find as you add new posts, instead of leaving a new visitor to piece you together from whatever you posted last.

A highlight can show what you do. An intro gives the rest of your page some context. It doesn't need to tell your whole life story. Start with who your page is for, what you play, and what someone will get by following you. Then give them one detail they can remember.

Give the first line a job

"Hey guys, welcome to my page" uses your opening without saying much.

Try a line that lets the right person recognize themselves. Or ask a question your page will help answer.

For example: "Trying to figure out the road to college volleyball? I'm sharing mine."

That's a sample opening, so change it to fit your actual story. If you're documenting a comeback, say that. If your page is about the work behind your games, say that. Don't promise a recruiting guide if you're still figuring it out yourself.

Say what the page is for

Your name and sport matter. So does what you're sharing.

"I'm a basketball player" leaves a lot open. "I'm a point guard sharing the work behind my season" gives someone a better idea of what they'll see.

You can keep the structure simple:

• Who you're talking to.

• Your name and sport.

• What you'll share here.

• One detail that makes it yours.

That last detail could be something you're working through, a goal you care about, or how you approach your sport. Pick something real enough to show in your next few posts.

Borrow the idea, keep your own words

When I looked back at Week 1 of the Athlete Brand Challenge, one thing stood out: the useful intros gave the opening a purpose.

In my recap, I pointed to Grace Beyer calling out her people early, @elipoelmanvball opening with a question about the road to college volleyball, and @1oak_bucket5 saying what his page is for.

Those are different ways into the same job. Help someone understand why they're here.

Borrow that structure. Use words you'd actually say to a teammate. An intro that sounds like a commercial for yourself is going to be hard to keep living up to.

Make the next post match

If your intro says you're sharing the work, show some work. If you say you're documenting your season, give people something from that season.

Your game. Your story. Your why.

You don't need to squeeze all three into one video. Let the intro open the door, then let the rest of your page fill it in.

Pin the video so a new visitor can find it. Watch it once as someone who knows nothing about you. Can they tell what this page is for?

Do this today:

• Write one opening line for the people you want to reach.

• Add your name, sport and what you'll share.

• Replace one generic claim with a detail from your actual life.

• Film it in your own words, pin it, and make your next post match the promise.

- Jared

Athlete Brand Coach & Founder, Tewdilly