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From: Carrie Neet
Here are tips I give my girls in the local pageant
I direct
Interview
The judge's interview is your opportunity to let the judges know who you are. You are scored
on poise, self-confidence and ease in talking to an adult. In some pageants, this is considered the most important required
event. Not to put the pressure on, but this is where the pageant is won or lost. In pageantry, the combination of intelligence
and personality define the pinnacle of the competition. True, interview time allotment is often quite brief, but even so,
the cream rises to the top. The biggest consideration of Interviews is finding someone who can handle the pressure and responsibility
of the title. In the year of your reign, you will have to "dance on your feet" by meeting with the leaders of your community.
Create a winning image both with your body language and your outfit. Judges are
looking at your appearance, outfit, grooming, self-confidence, and your ability to
express your opinions and to think and speak clearly.
You never have a second chance to make a first impression!
Interview outfit should be conservative in appearance and appropriate for a job
interview. Skirt or dress length should be no shorter than one inch above the
knee. Shoes and hose should compliment the outfit.
Exhibit grace and poise from the time you enter the judges' room to the time you
leave. Strive to appear self-confident even if you are nervous. Make eye contact
with
the judges! Looking directly at the judges will show them that you are self confident
and honest. When answering a question, being able to give more than just the
answer demonstrates to the judge your confidence level.
Eliminate words like yea, um, you know, like and well from your vocabulary.
Are you really listening to the question or are you hearing what you want or expect
to
hear. Slow down and listen, stop and think before you answer. It is most important
to
answer the question.
If you are truly happy to be there, enjoying yourself and genuinely interested in
the
conversation, you can see it in the sparkle of the eyes!
Do not slouch. Sit up straight and lean in slightly toward the judge to project your
interest in what he or she is saying. Keep your feet and legs still. You will appear
nervous if you bounce or shake them. Keep your feet flat on the floor or turn your
knees to one side and cross your ankles. Make eye contact with the judges! Smile,
it sets the tone for your interview.
The way you present your answer is just as important as what you say. Always
answer your questions in a positive manner. Never put yourself or others down.
Judges are looking for a sense of values, strong character and convictions. They
are
also interested in your general knowledge.
The best answer has a personal story in it. Paint a picture for the judges with your
words. Tell them what you think about the subject. After all, they are interested
in your
opinion. Giving your opinion is an indicator of your confidence level.
Judges want to have fun too! Just make sure the humor is appropriate.
Practice interviewing with your friends or family members. Practice in front of a
mirror. Have someone video tape you practicing. Review the tape and practice
areas you feel need improvement. Practicing is not the same as memorizing.
Remember that preparation based upon memorization is not successful! Think
positive. Think about success. Tell yourself, You WILL have a successful interview.
Set your goal. Visualize success!
Questions to find out more about you. Questions about what is going on around you
(your family, school, community, state, world). Questions asking your opinion (judges
use these as an indicator of your confidence level). Questions don't always have
a
"right" or "wrong" answer (opinions questions). Judges want to know your answer,
they usually aren't looking for a specific answer.
It is important to be yourself, but you are working with a limited time with judges,
and
they can't read your mind.
Join the Five-A-Week-Club fiveaweek-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and receive five FREE pageant interview practice questions
in your weekly e-mail. Since the Five-A-Week
Club began in 1999, hundreds of contestants, parents, coaches, directors and judges are better prepared for interviews than ever before. There are questions on all sorts
of subjects, questions of fact, questions of opinion, questions that have no single right answer.
The questions are similar to those sprung on contestants during their personal interview or on-stage questioning and have
topics that range from politics to vanity.
From: Carrie Neet
Here are tips I give my girls in the local pageant
I direct
Poise and Appearance
This event is where you introduce yourself to the judges. In most cases it is your first contact with the judges. Remember
that first impressions are lasting impressions! Judges are voting for the delegate who makes them pay attention. Personality,
confidence, grace, and presentation are the ingredients of success in which the title is based.
Create a winning image both with your body language and your outfit
- Outfit should display personality
Select an outfit that fits your personality
Younger girls may wear a nice dress, Teens should wear a suit
Skirt or dress length should be no shorter than one inch above the knee
Shoes and hose should compliment the outfit
Jewelry should be conservative and not distract from your face or outfit
Project your voice so you may be easily heard
Don't act shy or bored.
Portray confidence in your posture, words and voice inflection
Make eye contact with each judge. If you are truly happy to be there, enjoying yourself
and genuinely interested in the conversation, you can see it in the sparkle of the
eyes !
Smile and let your personality shine, just remember to be real and be yourself!
Your posture is the most important factor. Judges are looking for a contestant who
holds her head high and keeps her back and shoulders straight. The pageant stance
judges are looking for is called the Model T. To stand in a Model-T, imagine that you
are standing on the face of a clock. Place your right foot in front with your big toe
pointing toward 12 o'clock. The arch of your left foot should nearly touch the back
heel of your right foot. The big toe on your left foot should point toward 10 o'clock.
You walk in, assume the model stance, pause and then introduce yourself by saying
your name, hometown and something about yourself that you would like the judges to
know. You may tell them about your ambition, a hobby you enjoy, a special award you
have received, etc. Make your intro memorable by adding a hook the judges will
remember.
You will also be required to pivot and turn. To Pivot, stand in a Model T position.
Take a small step with your back foot and place it directly in front of the foot that is
pointing to 12 o'clock. On the balls of your feet, pivot making a 180-degree turn. You
should end up in the Model T position facing in the opposite direction from your
starting position. To make a complete turn, repeat the steps above.
From: Carrie Neet
Here are tips I give my girls in the local pageant
I direct
Personality Projection
This event is an opportunity to let your personality shine through free style modeling of sports/casual
wear. Judges are voting for the delegate who makes them pay attention. Personality, confidence, grace, and presentation are
the ingredients of success in which the title is based.
Create a winning image both with your body language and your outfit.
Select an outfit that fits or expresses your personality.
The stage is yours. Don't act shy or bored. Have fun. Let the judges see your
personality!
Portray confidence in your posture, stance, movements and choice of outfit.
Make eye contact with each judge. If you are truly happy to be there, enjoying yourself
and genuinely interested in the conversation, you can see it in the sparkle of the
eyes !
Smile, have fun and let your personality shine.
From: Carrie Neet
Here are tips I give my girls in the local pageant
I direct
Formal Wear
Gown should be simple but elegant.
Gown should be age appropriate, avoid sexy or revealing gowns.
Gown should fit perfectly.
Gown should be solid color, trim may be different color.
Gowns Do Not have to be white, but lighter colors do score higher.
Black or Brown gowns are discouraged.
Shoes should match or compliment the gown.
Use posture and stride to create a winning image.
Your walk should be smooth and graceful. Do not walk with too much bounce. Don't look stiff, your
walk should be a graceful and natural motion.
Do not walk too fast or too slow. Try to keep a steady, comfortable pace.
Hold your shoulders back but keep them relaxed. You want rounded shoulders.
Your arms should be relaxed at your sides and should only move slightly when you walk. Do not hold
them stiff in a pose and do not swing them too much.
The judges are looking for a girl who appears happy and confident. Do not look solemn. Remember
to smile! The most important thing you wear is your smile.
Nervousness show if you pull on your gown or hold it up to walk. Your
hands should be relaxed and by your sides. Do not hold your gown!
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The difference between Advertisers and Sponsors is that advertisers buy ad space! Know the difference, you will
be asked. |
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Know how to sell your advertising
Introduce yourself, tell them about yourself, your schooling, your community involvement and how your pageant experience will be of benefit. Include your proposal and sales pitch.
This should be in the form of a letter. These can be sent out in
advance with a follow up phone call requesting an appointment to
see the advertiser. They can also be handed out to potential advertisers
when making cold calls - just showing up to see a potential advertiser
without an appointment. They can also be used and read for telephone solicitations.
Once you have delivered your introduction, go into your proposal and sales pitch. End on a positive note, regardless of the outcome. Always thank them for the time
and interest they have shown. Sometimes you won't get past the introduction before a potential advertiser tells you no, do not let this discourage you. It just might not be a good time for
them. A lot of businesses contribute to many causes and some to specific
special interest only. Sometimes, they only advertise at certain
times of the month, quarter or year. Know when your potential advertiser
makes funds available. For most, this is either the end of or first of a month. They set aside a specific amount and it is first come, first serve until all the money is gone for that month. Persistence will often times pay off. However, know the difference between persistence
and annoyance. Don't offend the potential advertiser.
Research your potential advertisers
Find out about the business of your advertiser. This will allow you to understand how you can be of the most benefit to the advertiser who is about to invest in your pageant experience and you. Know what their product is, who uses their product,
what type of advertising are they doing, have they advertised before,
how can they be of benefit to your pageant experience and how can
you benefit them.
Develop a proposal
Should include your bio, a description or your pageant and your pageant needs, the advertisers
investment - what is going to cost them, and the deliverables - what the advertiser gets
for their money.
Develop a Sales Pitch
Remember to build goodwill here, explain your goals and how they can be mutually beneficial to
the advertiser. Have a good open, middle and close to your sales pitch.
End on a Positive Note
Regardless of the outcome, always thank them for the time and interest they have shown |
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