HOW TO PREPARE FOR A PAGEANT

How to pay for a pageant

Contribution by Julia McVaugh Stone and Allison Kratz

It's no secret that pageantry is an expensive sport. If you can't or simply don't want to take all costs out of pocket, you may want to look into getting sponsorships from your community. Getting local businesses to sponsor your competition is a great way to boost your event revenue and strengthen community relationships. Here are 5 tips to get you going!

Want to skip the process of talking to local businesses and do a fundraiser? Check out Pageant Planet's Fundraising Feature!

Mister Supranational 2018 Prathamesh Maulingkar and Miss Supranational 2018 Valeria Vasquez. Photo Instagram

6. Learn how to make a pitch

When it comes to building a relationship with a corporate partner, don’t leave any doubts that their company and you are the right fit.

Focus on these four things:

• Tell them who you are and introduce our (the company and yours) mission.

• Summarize when you won your title, the number of contestants who competed and other unique facts about you that qualify you to be sponsored.

• Point out specifically why their company would be a good fit to sponsor your competition.

• Describe what they’ll get out of it. Outline the benefits that align with their business goals. A great way to do this is to create an sponsorship packet for businesses, showing exactly what they can gain by sponsoring you.

Ask small, get small. Ask big, get big. Don’t sell yourself short or stray away from asking for larger donations. The worst they can say is no. It’s OK if they say no. Make the most of your meeting by giving them other options to be part of your event. They could donate a raffle prize or set up an office fundraiser. Always leave with something!

7. Be clear

If you have a personal following on social media, tell them how you plan to promote their business to your following. Whether it be mentioning their business on your program book ad or featuring them in a post or story on social media, the business needs to know exactly what they'll gain by sponsoring you. Empowering young women, while a noble goal, is usually not enough for businesses to spend money. Tell them exactly what they'll gain from the spronsorship. Let them know what you’re offering them in return. Their logo on promotional materials? A feature on the ad page? Be clear about what you’re committing — and make sure you deliver. Suggest deliverables based on level of sponsorship:

• Gold member sponsor: feature on the ad page, instagram post dedicated to them and post on story every two weeks.

• Silver member sponsor: feature on the ad page and post on your instagram story about them once a month.

• Bronze member sponsor: feature on the ad page.

8. Be open

Be receptive to any questions they might have. Remember it’s a conversation, not a monologue. If they don't want to be featured on an ad page and would rather have two social media posts or your attendance at Be sure to include the impact you have had and intend to have on your community. Also, leave your contact information with them so they can reach out to you when they have questions.

9. Make sure it doesn't interfere with your pageant contract

A common clause in pageant contracts is that any prior sponsorships cannot interfere with the pageant sponsorships or partnerships. If you do not plan ahead and make it part of your sponsor agreements prior to the pageant, you can end up running into some trouble when that crown goes on your head. Be careful not to agree to anything with your sponsor that you may not be able to fulfill when you win. 

10. Say thank you

Don’t forget to thank your sponsors. Your relationship with them doesn’t end when your event is over. You might be asking them to sponsor your event again next year, so make sure you stay connected. Share videos and other information to remind them that their sponsorship was worth the investment.

Finally, smile. Be upbeat, friendly, positive and polite. Remember you are offering them an opportunity to join a worthy cause — and that is a great thing!

Don't want to worry about finding a business to sponsor you? Check out the Pageant Planet Sponsorship program to raise money for your pageant!

Want even more ideas? Listen to Jesse and Steven talk about unique ways to raise sponsorship money for your next pageant in this podcast:

Once you begin your pageant journey, it doesn't take long to realize that, like any other hobby or extracurricular, pageants take up time and – wait for it – money. However, the cost of competing should never keep you from trying. It’s more doable than you think.

Don't forget to budget! 

Be realistic

What are you able to spend, and what do you absolutely need to spend it on? Take a minimalistic approach, and build up your pageant wardrobe a step at a time. If you are able to, try to spread out your big expenses such as your evening gown and pageant lessons. I’ll let you in on a secret: You don’t have to buy everything brand new. Many dress shops have a resale section, and many pageant girls are looking to sell their wardrobe. If you're really blessed, you may not have to spend a penny! I'm talking about borrowing and sponsorship. Two of my favorite words. Never be afraid to ask to borrow or to ask for sponsors. You have nothing to lose, seriously. The worst thing anyone can tell you is no, which sounds a lot better than a phone call from your credit card company. While you may not be able to borrow everything or get enough sponsors to cover the complete cost of your pageant, it can certainly relieve a financial burden.

Stick to a budgeting process

For example, many people find Dave Ramsey’s envelope system convenient and simple. Here is the envelope method in a pageant girl's nutshell: First, calculate your total income and figure out how much can go toward pageants. From there, gather envelopes and label them by what you need to spend. That may be “wardrobe,” “hair and makeup,” “travel,” “clothing,” and so on. With this budget, you allot a certain amount of money to your designated envelopes each payday or as you are able to, but no cheating. 

The great thing about Pageant Planet's fundraising feature is that you can host multiple fundraisers at a time! This means that you can host a fundraiser for your pageant shoes, pageant dress, sponsorship fee and more. Your friends and family can choose to donate to something specific for your pageant prep! Sign up today to get started!

Find sponsors

This is where you have to roll up your sleeves, put on your lip gloss, and just do it. Asking for sponsors is not fun, but is it very rewarding. See the above section for the best tips on finding sponsors!

Want to skip the process of talking to local businesses and do a fundraiser? Check out Pageant Planet's Fundraising Feature!

Fundraise, fundraise, fundraise!

A fun fashion show, a small pageant, even cookie dough! With the help of family, friends and pageant directors, fundraising can not only relieve a financial burden, but it can be fun. You can make this an opportunity to share your platform and to network with new people. Never underestimate the power of a good fundraiser and good friends.

Look into a part time or side job

Open an Etsy shop or sell a product. If you find a part-time job, that business could end up being your best sponsor. This is an opportunity to make good connections and even have fun making a little money. Keep in mind, you aren't supporting a family with this job, so it doesn't have to be anything big. However, a little bit here and there can go a long way. Who knows! You may just end up with a extra spending money for expensive health foods, am I right?

Don't forget about the little things

Last minute purchases before a pageant are often overlooked. You have your spray tan, hotel room, food, butt glue, you know – the necessities. These items are easy to forget when you are making your budget, but think forward every step of the way up until the pageant. Seriously, a frantic Target trip the night before the pageant can make you cough up more cash than you had originally planned, so add room in your budget for last minute items. Making a checklist of items to pack for the pageant can save you money and stress, so make that a top priority. Once you have your goals and your budget on paper, you are set. A woman with an agenda is a force to be reckoned with.

How to prepare for your pageant

Contribution by Julia McVaugh Stone and Allison Kratz

Now that you've signed up for your pageant and found sponsors to help mitigate the expenses, it's time to start preparing for your pageant. Keep reading to find out what to wear, how to practice and what you should and shouldn't be posting on social media before the pageant. 

How to select pageant wardrobe

When you're preparing for your first pageant, picking a pageant wardrobe that represents you can be a daunting task. While we can't tell you exactly what will fit your personality, we can give you a few helpful tips to develop your unique "look." If you'd like more personalized feedback on your potential pageant wardobe, 

“When planning my pageant wardrobe I tried to develop a ‘look,’" Katie Elliott, Miss Maine 2017, said. "Personally, I love all things that are classy and timeless so that is the style I tend to lean toward. However, other women love looking sexy or wearing unique designs. Wear whatever you feel best in and keep your look consistent throughout all phases of competition. Doing so will help the judges remember you and show your personality!”

Princess

11. Dresses that are sweet and girly

Pageant or not, princess contestants are still little girls and should be dressed appropriately. They should not have sheer portions of any of their dresses and the style of the dress should remain age-appropriate. Stay away from sweetheart necklines and strapless dresses for the younger contestants as those styles can appear a bit too mature for your pageant princess.

12. Choose a full-length gown with a full skirt to keep little princess looking sweet and youthful

Occasionally, you'll be asked to choose a tea length dress for the youngest contestants but, most pageant require that even princess contestants wear a floor-length gown. Choose a full length gown with a full skirt. While it definitely looks more age appropriate than a straight gown, it's also easier for the younger contestants to walk in full skirts without tripping. You can acheive this look with either a tulle skirt or crinoline under the dress.

13. Choosing a gown of her favorite color to spark some personality onstage

Pageants can be tiring for our little ones so make sure she has something to look forward to in her dress. Picking a dress in your princess's favorite color gets her excited about that phase of competition because she'll get to wear something she feels good in. For more advice on picking the right gown for your contestant, check out our guide Pageant Dresses: How to Style, Pose and Walk.

14. Rent or borrow a dress for your first pageant

Listen, it's no secret that pageants can be incredibly expensive. Buying a dress, interview outfit, talent costume and paying the pageant fees and hotel, can really begin to add up. Before you decide to commit to more than one pageant, cut expenses wherever possible. There are tons of resale sites and titleholders willing to let you rent or buy their dresses for a reduced price. There's no need to plop down $1,000 for a drop-dead dress until you know you want to continue doing beauty pageants. Compete once and see how your little one feels about pageants before investing in an uber expensive evening gown.

15. Get the right shoes

These princesses aren't going to be in the high, high heels that the older contestants wear. They'll be in Mary Janes, either nude or white, or a nude character shoe. The shoes should be comfortable for your contestant to walk in and age appropriate. For a full guide on pageant shoes and what to buy your princess contestant, check out The ULTIMATE Guide to Pageant Shoes.

Preteen/Jr. Teen

16. Wearing a ball gown is an ideal look for this age

It's important that this age group in particular looks their actual age. With Preteens and Jr. Teens it's very easy to look either too young or too old based on the contestant's syling. A ball gown over a straight or A-line gown for Preteens is always a safe bet. A Jr. Teen contestant may be able to opt for an A-line gown or a full chiffon skirt while still looking age appropriate. For more advice on picking the right gown for your contestant, check out our guide Pageant Dresses: How to Style, Pose and Walk.

17. Find the balance

At age 12, you want to be careful that you don't look too young or too mature. Preteens and Jr. Teens are really the in-between ages in pageantry. These contestants are not little girls anymore but they aren't teens or adults yet either. As we said early, it's so importatnt to be age-appropriate with these divisions in particular.

Choose pageant wardrobe that showcases your contestant's personality as well as her general age group. Is her outfit something that would be absolutely ridiculous to put on someone her age? Perhaps you should choose another outfit. Remember, she is a representative of girls her age and should look like it.

International Junior Miss International Jr. Teen 2018 Avery Randall. Photo: Legnar Ekim

18. Wear vibrant colors

Darker colors can come off a little too mature for this age. Make sure your contestant looks happy, upbeat and youthful by selecting bright colors. Choosing bright blues, greens, purples, pinks and even yellow can make your contestant stand out in the crowd.

19. You can be creative with accessories

Older divisions typically stick to traditional pageant accessories, complementary or non-distracting earrings and little else. With preteens and jr. teens, you can go with fun hats, head bands, hair bows, shoes and more for competitions like fun fashion, talent and runway. This helps younger contestants stand out from the crowd and differentiate themselves.

20. Show personality

Above all, your contestant has to show personality. She's developing into a young women with her own style and opinions, let her use them in selecting her wardrobe. Her outfits should be representative of who she is as a person and shouldn't just be a "cookie cutter" of all the other contestants out there. If every other contestant is going with a pink suit for interview and she wants to wear green, go with green. Letting her personality shine through will make her stand out to the judges in a way no one else will. 

Teen

21. Be age appropriate

The most important thing for a teen contestant to remember is that anything you wear must be age appropriate. You are no longer a little girl, but you are not yet a woman. Other girls your age are going to look up to you, so you have to remember that you are a role model and dress with that fact in mind. Don’t wear clothing that ages you or is seductive in any way. At the same time, you don’t want to wear clothes that are too cutesy, or reminiscent of an adolescent.

22. Stay true to you, not the trends

One mistake that teens often make is that they try to be too trendy because they are not confident enough in their own choices. You have to learn to develop your own style and learn to express your distinctive personality and preferences through your wardrobe. Don’t just copy what all the other girls are wearing. Be an original and get noticed!

23. You don't need sky-high heels

In the past few years, many teens have gotten caught up in the habit of wearing sky-high stilettos with every single outfit they wear, on and off the pageant stage. Really high platform shoes are normal and acceptable in the pageant community, but when you wear them to a daytime appearance or as a volunteer, those regular people who aren’t part of the pageant community are often uncomfortable with that look. They feel like stilettos are not appropriate for a teen to wear. In addition to the people in your community, pageant judges have also begun to state their frustration at seeing girls wearing stilettos or “Tippy Tops” in interview as well. The judges feel that it shows no sense of individuality. There is a world of incredible shoes out there just waiting to be discovered. Why not be a trendsetter and try something different?

24. Take risks

As a teen, you have a lot of freedom to be creative with your wardrobe choices. Fashion is fun, and as a teenager, you are at an age where you are encouraged and expected to have fun. Go ahead and take some risks. Explore fashion options and decide what you like and what works for you. This is the time in your life to try new things. Enjoy it!

25. Talk to the professionals

This would be a good time in your life to have a consultation with a professional stylist. A stylist will help you determine which fabrics, colors, cuts and silhouettes make you look your absolute best, so that you will be miles ahead of the competition. This is a very empowering thing to do for yourself, and it will take your pageant wardrobe and your life to the next level!

Miss

26. Don't be afraid to take a risk with your evening gown

No, we don't mean opt for something super revealing or out of left field. We mean you don't have to choose what everyone else is choosing just because it's "on trend." I once competed in a pageant where almost every Miss contestant was wearing a nude, fully beaded gown. Guess who took home the crown? The contestant who dared to go against the trend and stand out in a red, barely beaded evening gown.

Just because something is "on trend" doesn't make it right for you. Be daring. Step outside of the box and choose something that you absolutely love.

27. Try all the styles before you choose one

If you've never had an evening gown on before, you won't know what you like and don't like or what looks good and what doesn't. For your first dress appointment, you need to be open to all the styles that the store has. Try the low-cut dress, the ten-pound beaded dress or the dress with the long train. See what style of dress looks best on your body and makes you feel most confident about yourself. This is a good jumping off point for which dress you should choose for competition.

After you've found a style and silhouette that complements your body, look for different fabrics and colors. Once again, try all of the options you can until you find a dress that makes you feel absolutely phenomenal. When you can picture yourself being crowned in the dress, it's the one.

28. Make your own statement, not anyone else's

Your gown choice says more about you than you realize. We're not saying that your shouldn't listen to the opinions of your coaches or your mom or whoever else, but you need to make sure that the wardrobe you choose is true to you. Here's the deal with pageants, if you pretend to be something you're not, either through your appearance or actions, the judges will most likely know that you aren't being authentic. 

29. Know your system

Even though you are a Miss contestant with less restrictions on what you can and cannot wear, you don't have free reign to choose the most revealing, low cut, high low, cocktail, party dress you want. Many systems have formal rules or unwritten expectations for their contestants. Whether it be a rule that gowns may not have any sheer paneling or a general conservative, "girl next door" look about the titleholders, you need to follow suit.

Samantha Dahlborg, Miss Maine USA 2014, reminds us to, “do some research on the pageant you plan on competing in. When competing in Miss USA your gown can be more revealing and sexy, however Miss America tends to lean towards sophistication and beauty.”

30. Pick a dress you feel beautiful in

“My best advice when selecting your competition evening gown would be to pick a dress that makes you feel the most beautiful," Katherine McQuade, Miss Cosmos United States 2018 said. "Make sure your dress is your choice, not your mom’s choice and not your coach’s choice — because when you hit that stage in the dress of your choice, your inner beauty and confidence will shine out.”

If you don't feel like a queen in your gown, no one is going to crown you.

Katherine McQuade, Miss Cosmos United States 2018. Photo: Georgina Vaughn Photography

Mrs./Ms.

31. Classic and fashion forward is the way to go

When choosing a gown for a Mrs. or Ms. pageant, you want to select something that you would wear to a black tie event, formal ball or gala, but you want it to be very fashionable. Think elegance and sophistication and something you might see in “Vogue,” rather than something appropriate for a prom that you’d seen in “Seventeen.” This is one major area that more mature women tend to make mistakes in when they are new to pageantry.

32. Confidence comes over "tradition"

You do not have to wear enormously high heels just because you are competing in a pageant. If you are not comfortable wearing a five inch platform, you are under no obligation to do so. Wear the heels that you can walk in and that make you feel confident, even if it is a lower heel than what you’ve seen in other pageants, or on other contestants.

33. Follow the rules or risk a point deduction

Some pageant systems for married women or women in the Ms. category, have wardrobe restrictions that you absolutely must adhere to. For instance, many pageants do not allow evening gowns or swimsuits to have cut outs anywhere on the body. Consult your pageant director or contestant handbook and find out where they draw the line.

34. Know your pageant

Research the pageant you are competing in and try to determine what that pageant’s particular style and brand is. If you see contestants and titleholders wearing modern, form fitting gowns with slits, then they are going to be more open and fashion forward. But, if you see women wearing gowns with long or short sleeves, moderate necklines and less skin showing, then your pageant leans more to a conservative type of brand.

35. This is not a business interview

When selecting an outfit for your pageant interview, don’t make the mistake of thinking that you should wear a business suit. A pageant interview is a place to express your unique fashion sense, so don’t don a navy blue pencil skirt and matching blazer. Feel free to wear a flattering, feminine sheath dress or a fabulous jumpsuit in bright, fun colors and be conservative on the jewelry.

36. Plan ahead

What is the easiest way to keep your outfits looking amazing during the entire pageant? Take the time to prepare and organize your wardrobe. Before the pageant starts select your outfits – don’t forget the shoes and accessories. Then, photograph them so you can remember exactly what you’re wearing for each event or competition Put them into your pageant notebook for reference during the competition weekend. When you're settling into your pageant hotel room, set up your competition wardrobe in the order in which you'll wear the items. Say goodbye to day of wardrobe jitters! 

37. Invest in alterations

What is our number one pageant wardrobe pet peeve? When a contestant’s wardrobe doesn’t fit. It doesn’t matter if your dress is jersey, satin, chiffon, a-line or mermaid. If the dress fits incorrectly it will take away from your moment on stage. Alterations can be expensive – but they make a huge difference.

Laurel Stiekes, USA National Teen 2017, said, “You can’t put a price on the perfect fit! Take the time to alter your clothing to compliment you. Most importantly, LOVE what you wear! Matching your attitude with your outfit guarantees a great first impression in any situation.”

This extends beyond just your evening gown. Each clothing item you wear during the pageant, especially competition clothing, should be tailored to fit you perfectly. The last thing you want is for your judge to be more focused on your interview dress that's just a tad too big and completely tune out your answers. Your wardrobe should never distract from your performace and fit will play a big part in that.

38. Don't let it wear you

The last (and most important) wardrobe tip – make sure you wear your wardrobe, don’t let it wear you. If you put something on and the focus goes to your top, shoes, earrings or dress – and not to you – don’t wear it. This is certainly not to say your clothes need to be boring, but they can't be distracting. Your outfits need to show you off, not the other way around.

The best way to avoid this is to put on each clothing item you intend to wear during the competition and stand in front of a full length mirror. Pay attention to where your eye sight falls first. Did it go to your neon shoes? How about your busy printed dress? If it falls anywhere other than your face, your item might be a distraction. You can also ask a friend or family member to do the same thing. Another important point to remember is that clothing can look different in motion than it does stationary. This is where your friends, family or a coach will help you. Put on your clothes and walk toward them, as if you were in an interview or onstage. They will know if your printed outfit or shoes are too distracting if that's where their attention goes. 

How to practice for your pageant

39. Start early!

If you are new to pageants, you likely have no idea what goes into pageant preparation. And, you certainly have no idea how much time it takes to obtain the skills and experience required to actually win a pageant. Most new girls are totally focused on winning when they sign up for a pageant, because they are under the misconception that that is what pageantry is really all about.

When you first start out, your focus should not be on winning, it should be on creating a solid foundation and mastering the basic elements of pageantry. All of those basic skills take time to get comfortable with and ultimately master, and there is really no substitute for time and practice.

Consequently, you should start your pageant prep as early as possible, and we mean much earlier than you think you need to. Obviously, if you just joined your pageant three months out from the pageant date, that is all the time you have. But, if you do have the time to get started six months or a year out from your pageant date, that would be ideal.

Miss World 2018 Vanessa Ponce De Leon Sanchez. Photo: Miss World

40.  Take a quality pageant headshot

Never underestimate the power of a good pageant headshot. While your pageant headshot alone certainly will not win you the crown, it's frequently the first impression judges have of you. They'll see your photos in the program book before they ever see you, so it is imperative that you take the opportunity to put your best foot forward. Now, this is not to say you need to go spend $1,000 on a photoshoot if you're not even sure you'll like competing in pageants. However, this is to say you need to put a little more into your pageant headshot than a cell phone selfie in your bathroom mirror. 

You need to have a photo that represents the best version of yourself. We highly recommend getting a professional pageant headshot photographer to do your pageant headshot (you can find one near you by clicking here). If that's not possible or not in the budget, make sure your photo is in good lighting with a plain backdrop and your hair and makeup are done in the photo how they will be done in the interview room at the pageant. For more tips and tricks on pageant headshots, check out Everything You Need to Know About Pageant Headshots!

41. Find your tribe

When you are new to pageantry, it also means that your family and friends are probably new to pageantry as well. They may not understand what you are doing, and they certainly will not understand how much work it entails. That’s why it’s imperative for you to surround yourself with a solid network of people, in addition to your family and friends. Those that are close to you will likely support your goals and aspirations, even if they don’t completely understand them, but they will not always know how to give you what you need.  

You need to create a support group of people and professionals who have been where you are, like former titleholders or even current fellow contestants who may or may not be involved in the same pageant system as you.

If you can afford it, get a coach or set of coaches and mentors who can teach you all the things you need to know, as well as understand exactly what you are trying to achieve. Mentoring is such a major part of pageantry, and none of us would be where we are without having those kinds of people in our lives. Whether those mentors come in the form of professional coaches or former titleholders who want to help you, you cannot ultimately obtain your highest goals without them.

The majority of people who watch pageants just think that pageant contestants and titleholders are naturally beautiful girls who roll out of bed looking fabulous every day of their lives and they also happen to be talented, accomplished, and intelligent and have loads of time to volunteer and make an impact in their communities. They have no clue that the girls who make it all look so easy have practiced for years to achieve that illusion. Those incredible queens were just regular girls, just like you, who made a determined decision to go after their dream, and worked tirelessly to reach them.

The good news is that means that you can too!

42. Be organized

Because you have so much to do and a tight timeline, you have to be strategic about your time and your calendar. Your schedule is going to get very full and you will be making countless appointments and commitments to yourself and to others. You’ve got to find a way to get and stay organized that works for you.

One of the best ways to do that is to create a system that will help you remember and manage all of your upcoming events, workshops and appointments. There are a number of ways to do this, and one of our favorite systems is a pageant notebook or organizer. It’s very easy to create a pageant notebook that is divided into the segments of your competition, as well as sections like wardrobe, contact information of pageant professionals and pageant paperwork. The segments of competition are things like interview, swimsuit or recreation wear, evening gown, talent, fun fashion, and any other appropriate categories. Just think through your particular pageant and all of the areas that you will need to keep track of.

Don’t forget your personal goals and areas like your fitness training and your platform and volunteer work. You’ll definitely need sections for those.

43. Know your why

If you’ve been around pageantry for any length of time, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “Know your why!”

“Knowing your why” is all about knowing and understanding yourself and what motivates you in life. When it comes to your upcoming pageant and your pageant career in general, it’s crucial to know what ultimately drives you to achieve your goals and also to know exactly what those goals are. It is not enough to say that you want to win your pageant. You must know why you want to win and what you’re going to do with that win, once it occurs.

If you start asking yourself some serious questions and begin digging deep into your heart and your desires, you will begin to unearth your deepest dreams and longings. Those dreams and longings will help you to define what it is that you want out of this whole pageant thing. From there, you can set your pageant goals and start working towards them. Need help with your pageant goals? Check out How to Set Goals (And Achieve Them) for some guidance!

Contestants perform onstage during the dress show session of the Miss Chinese Toronto Pageant 2018 finals in Toronto, Canada. Photo: Xinhua-Zou Zheng

44. Consistency is key

The success you experience on the pageant stage is actually determined far in advance. When someone wins a pageant or makes the court and achieves a first, second or third runner placement, that didn’t happen because of what they did at the pageant that weekend. That happened because of all of the hours that they put into their pageant preparation in the many months prior to the pageant itself. In order to achieve a win or a top five placement, you must be willing to work very hard in the months before the pageant. One of the biggest truths is that if you want to be successful and grow and develop in the world of pageantry, you have to be willing to do what most people aren’t. This is especially true if you have set your sights on winning the crown.

Success is determined be developing a strong work ethic, honing a habit of mental discipline and by having the mind of a champion. (If you’re getting the vibe that we’re about to play the theme from “Rocky,” because we’re serious about hard core training, then you’ve got the right mindset.)

Training for a pageant is very similar to training for an athletic event. It is so much more than hair extensions and eyelashes. There are going to be days when you do not feel like doing what you need to do, and you are going to have to be able to overcome that complacency and force yourself to do the work.

Girls who are new to pageants always seem to think that the girls who win the crown are somehow more gifted than everybody else and that is why they have an edge over all of the other contestants. There could be nothing further from the truth. The women who win pageants win because they have learned to excel in all of the necessary areas. It may appear from the outside that they came pre-packaged the way they are; pretty, polished and in stellar shape. Everything just comes easy to them and that is why they won.

But, if you could see all that they did to get where they are, you would see a person who worked exceptionally hard, nearly every single day of their lives for months and even years, to get to that point. The key to their success was consistency, pure and simple.

There are no shortcuts, quick fixes, special hacks or “work arounds” to replace consistency when it comes to thorough pageant preparation. In pageants, success, and ultimately winning the crown, is all about being the, “total package” and having high scores across the board, in ALL of the different scoring requirements. But, it does not mean that you have to be the most beautiful, have the fittest body, be the most talented, have 1,000 followers on social media, be the spokesperson for a non-profit and be absolutely flawless. It means that you must consistently score in the upper range of every single area that you are being judged in.

To be successful in life you have to know who you are and you have to be honest with yourself. This is even more true when it comes to your success in pageantry. Every pageant contestant should take a personal inventory to determine what they do well and where they need to improve. Take stock of what your strengths are as well as your weak areas and be rigorously honest with yourself. Everyone tends to overestimate their own abilities and underestimates everyone else’s skill set. Every pageant competitor has natural abilities and areas that come easily to them, where they just seem to shine without a whole lot of effort. Likewise, every competitor has those areas where they either have very little experience or they need to improve drastically to bring that performance up.

Work twice as hard on your weaker areas, and don’t just focus on the areas that are easy or fun for you. Most contestants will double down on the areas that they tend to do well in, thinking that their high score in one area will make up for the areas that they lack. It does not work this way. For instance, if you competed in a pageant last year and made 30 appearances, but you didn’t work on your fitness level or onstage presentation skills, don’t decide that you’re going to make 50 appearances this year, do nothing else and expect that you will place higher. It just doesn’t work that way.

You don’t need to overcomplicate this. Just make it a priority to practice regularly, and try to do something every single day that contributes to your success, if at all possible. And, commit yourself to excellence in ALL areas of competition.

Keep it simple, sister...but, keep it consistent!

45. Take interview preparation seriously

In many pageants, interview makes up the majority of the points within your total score. If that is the case in your pageant system, then you must absolutely make interview preparation a priority. But, regardless of what percentage your interview score is, this area of competition is really what separates the winners from the rest of the contestants. This is the only opportunity that they judges get to meet you face to face, ask you specific questions and get to hear you talk about yourself, your goals and why you want to win this pageant.

There are numerous techniques for practicing your interview and honing all of the communication skills that are required for a successful exchange with the judges. But, the most important skill of all is that you must know who you are, what your values are and what you think and believe about yourself, the world and your place in it.

A lot of contestants spend a great deal of time practicing their answers to hundreds of standard interview questions. That is a very useful technique, certainly, as it allows you to familiarize yourself with potential questions that the judges might ask you. We've made that easy by compiling the Top 25 Pageant Questions Asked by Judges (in Every Pageant).

However, a more effective strategy could be not to focus on the hundreds of questions that you may be asked, but rather focus on the answers that you want to give. You see, you can spend endless hours thinking about all of the questions that the judges might possibly ask you in the space of a few minutes, but if you focus on the things that you want the judges to know about you and your potential answers, you will use your time more efficiently.

A good thing to keep in mind is to try to come up with the three main points that you want to discuss with the judges or that you want the judges to know about you before you leave the interview room. If you can do that, you will find that those key points can be the answers to an astounding array of questions. Another very valuable exercise to do in preparation for your interview, is to schedule mock interviews with different groups of people so that you get to actually talk to individuals on a one on one basis, and see how that feels. This is one technique that works incredibly well and yet it’s the one that most contestants just will not do. But, if you take the time to schedule five or six mock interviews with a variety of people from different walks of life and professions, you will be so incredibly prepared for your pageant interview. You will feel so much more calm and your confidence will be so high because you have already been through a similar process enough times to know that whatever questions the judges ask you, you will have the perfect answer that is all you.

Want to keep up to date on the news you need succeed in interview? Or do you need practice questions sent to your inbox everyday? Sign up for our Pageant Daily newsletter!

46. Start strutting

Onstage presentation is made up of your ability to walk, model, pose and present yourself during the onstage portion of your pageant. Every pageant is different when it comes to what they want their contestants to do on stage, so you have to know the unique qualities of your particular pageant. If your pageant values modeling and posing ability more than the average pageant, then you have to make sure that you are outstanding in this area. And, what you need to do to prepare is going to vary depending on what your experience level is.

If you have some modeling ability already, then you may not need as much preparation as someone who has never modeled or been on stage previously. If you have been a dancer or you have done some acting, those skills will help you to be more aware and more poised during your time on stage. But, if you are brand new to pageants and do not have any experience when it comes to modeling, then you may benefit from hiring a modeling or walking coach prior to your pageant.

At the very least, you can be studying walking and modeling through youtube videos. Renowned walking coach for the Miss Universe Organization, Lu Sierra has several videos that you can view for free. You can also find a pageant coach who specializes in walking by using our Pageant Coach Directory.

One of the very best things that you can do to get better at walking onstage is to begin wearing your pageant heels as often as possible. Wear them while you're doing the dishes, vacuuming, grocery shopping, doing laundry and pretty much any where else you can think of. This may seem like a very strange thing to do and you may feel self conscious at first, but trust us, wearing your heels will help you to feel so much more at ease when it comes time to hit the stage for real.

47.  Hire a hair and makeup artist or practice your pageant hair and makeup before the pageant

Perfecting your look, which includes your wardrobe, your pageant hair and makeup can be one of the trickiest parts pageant prep.

The best thing that you can do is to hire a professional pageant makeup artist to help you during your pageant, so that you don’t have the added stress of having to do your own hair and makeup. This is such a great investment because it allows you to focus on all the things that you need to focus on, rather than the drama of trying to get your false eyelashes on while your hands are shaking from nervousness.

However, if you cannot afford a professional to help you out, don’t sweat it! Fortunately, Pageant Planet has an incredible guide on pageant makeup and pageant hair that should answer all of your questions with regard to what you should be going for. Check out A Queen's Guide to Pageant Makeup and The ULTIMATE Guide to Pageant Hair for all of the information you need to do your pageant hair and makeup.

If you do need to do your own hair and makeup for your pageant, you need to begin practicing both your interview look and your onstage look far enough in advance, so that when pageant day comes, you are a total pro. Sherri Jessee offered this pageant makeup course specially for our Pageant Planet readers. Check it out below:

48. Utilize muscle memory

How often and how you should practice your pageant talent really depends on your particular talent, how long you’ve been performing it and how accomplished you are. For a full run down on pageant talent, we suggest reading Pageant Talent: the Complete Guide.

If you have been dancing or singing since you were three years old and you’ve been working with an experienced coach for years, then you may not need to practice every day.  But, if you’re trying to dramatically improve your talent before your upcoming pageant, or you’re working out some kinks in your performance, there is nothing like practice to make that muscle memory stick.

Having a talent coach who is well versed in pageant prep is so crucial if your pageant attributes a high percentage of your final score to the talent phase of competition. If your pageant focuses heavily on your talent when they are looking for the winner, then you have to make sure that you are giving them your absolute best. This is not an area where you want to take any risks. If you’re not planning on working with a talent coach, then try to at least meet with one or have a one-on-one with someone who knows your pageant system well, and can advise you on how best to prepare yourself in this area.

What to post on social media before your pageant

Whether you like it or not, when you enter into a pageant, you become a public figure of sorts. You may not yet have a state, national or international title, but if you have a sash with the name of a township, area or city on it, then you have now signed up to publicly represent that locality. You have also entered into a verbal agreement to become a representative of the pageant that you have entered.

Along with those responsibilities come some significant rules of conduct and behavior. These rules not only apply to your behavior publicly but also on social media, because social media is also a public forum. In fact, what you put on social media is perhaps more important than what you actually do in real life because those posts and images reach more people than your immediate social circle and everything that you post is permanent. It exists on the internet for all to see for eternity.

Therefore, if you are now involved in a pageant or are a titleholder, you have to consider a lot of things that you may have not considered before, especially when it comes to your social media posting.

If being a leader, a role model and a representative of the pageant system that you are in makes you uncomfortable or resentful, then perhaps pageantry is not for you. This is not about you needing to be fake, someone that you’re not, not being true to yourself or being controlled in some way. This is about respect for yourself, the pageant system that you obviously desire to represent and the people who are now supporting you and your dream.

49. Talk about why you're involved in the pageant 

Talk about why you’re involved with this particular pageant and how the pageant is benefitting you. Talk about the fun events, parades and volunteer opportunities that the pageant is providing. Discuss all the great friends that you have made so far, and how nice everyone is. Always try to promote the pageant director and how organized, supportive and caring they are. 

If you have a local or appointed title, you are a representative for the pageant so you should always display photos of you wearing your crown and sash. Always post appearance photos from pageant and personal events, volunteering and service opportunities.

50. Give out pageant information

Share pageant information such as the date, the location, the time and any other pertinent details about the pageant itself. Include information about tickets and hotel discounts if you have it. You want your tribe to come cheer you on!

51. Show some love

Photos, posts and shouts outs of your sponsors and what they give you or do for you are well received, not only by the sponsors but by pageant staff. This shows that you not only have a community supporting you; you also appreciate everything they do and provide for you as well.

52. Know what NOT to post

We know that social media can be a great place to promote your favorite cause or share super glamorous photos from your most recent photoshoot. However, if you're not careful in what you post, it can definitely cost you the crown. Listen below to the story of a girl who lost the title over a social media post and how you can avoid the same fate.

It should go without saying, but you should never post photos of inappropriate behavior. If you are a minor, for instance, you should never post photos of you or your friends drinking or display any photos with alcohol in them. (because you legally should not be doing those things, right?)

In general, be conservative and err on the side of caution. If you are an adult, it is still not appropriate to take a photo holding alcohol. There are a variety of opinions on this subject, but if you are wearing a sash, or a crown, or you are at a pageant-related event, you never have a beverage in your hand, nor do you post a photo with someone else holding a beverage. We dive deeper into the subject in Should Titleholders Post Pictures With Alcohol? Don't post photos of you or anyone else smoking – remember that you are a role model now.

Minimize the public displays of affection. If you are married or engaged, of course this is acceptable but still be conservative. Remember, if you are a titleholder, or you are competing for a title, just be conservative.

Adopt a policy that when you take a photo alone, or with someone else, that you turn around and see what is behind you in the photo. You don’t want to accidentally take a shot with something in it that you discover later after it is posted online.

53. Make sure your social media is "on brand"

If you’re changing pageant systems, or going from a teen to a miss contestant, you may want to revamp your social media to reflect that. Make sure your social media reflects the person you want to present to the judges and to the world. Need more information on what should and should not appear on your social media pages?