5 Things You Must Know ABOUT Your Pageant BEFORE Competing

Competing for a pageant is much like interviewing for a job. So, it is very important to understand certain things about the pageant before agreeing to interview for it. Just like you would research a company before a job interview to learn about it, you should research things about your pageant before competing.

When preparing for interview, most contestants just review common questions...BUT the contestants who take it a step further and truly understand the pageant organization will always be one step ahead.

Here are "5 Things You Must Know About Your Pageant BEFORE Competing":

• Basic facts: 
• For example, the full name of the pageant, the motto/slogan of the pageant, the main competition categories, how you fit in this pageant, who the director is, what the prize package AND responsibilities are for winning
• What they want: your main goal is to convince the judges that you are the best candidate for the job of "titleholder" so you have to understand what they want in a titleholder first to be able to adequately tell them why you are perfect for the job
• Some pageants send a handbook/notebook/website section detailing particular qualities they are looking for - note those and KNOW how you fit them (and be able to communicate that)
• Research and understand what former titleholders have done and be explain how you can expand on it
• The culture: what drives this pageant
• Research the mission statement and values and be able to articulate how you fit these
• Take a peek at the rules (they exist for a reason)
• For example, if there is a "no makeup under 12 rule" it is probably because they value girls being girls...so you now know that a low cut gown or super long train on a little one is NOT the best idea
• Note: the culture is what SELLS a pageant. For example, if talent is highly valued at one pageant and not at another, you can choose to compete or not. To not understand the culture is silly.
• Recent news:
• Maybe the pageant changed the age groups, or expanded into a new state, or is currently moving their national pageant...you MUST know what is going on if you plan to represent the program
• Note: you can often find such details on social media and on the pageant website
• Competitors
• What makes this pageant different than others? Well, why did YOU choose it?
• Example: many judges have asked Miss America (MAO) contestants how MAO differs from USA...you should know this if you are competing in one of these programs
• To understand the competition is to understand the pageant; you must come into the interview with a solid working knowledge of the pageant you are competing in...how else can you expect to represent it?