You will spend more money preparing for a pageant than you will earn in monetary winnings. Most people don’t do pageants for the money. Instead it’s for the priceless opportunities that present themselves by growing through the process.

Is the investment worth it? That’s up to you. Knowing what you value and the reasons for doing the pageant will lead you to your answer. If your only intention is to win a crown, trophy and sash (having a monetary value of about $150), I’d say no. But if you want to use your pageant experience as a vehicle to develop a deeper understanding of who you are, what your life purpose is, create dynamic communication skills, learn how to live a balanced life, strengthen your relationships, and establish a way of thinking that enables you to create the life you want to live,  it’s worth the investment. That’s what I experienced in pageantry, and as a pageant coach, that’s the method I use with my clients.

How much money does it take? Again, it depends on the type of pageant you’re competing in and what your goals are. For small festivals or local pageants about $500, for a state competitions $1000, and for nationals pageants around $4000. These are very conservative, middle of the road estimates but in my experience, you can use these numbers as a good guide.

What are the expenses I can expect? Besides the obvious hair, makeup, shoes and dress, here is a list of other expenses that pageant people may incur: Transportation to and from the pageant, hotel room and food for you and your family during the pageant; ad page costs; admission tickets to all events; gifts for the other contestants; competition wardrobe for interview, fitness , evening gown including shoes, undergarments, jewelry, accessories, and props for each outfit; if you’re doing talent, costumes, props, accessories, and music; optional competitions; professional services for coaching, modeling, fitness training, hair, makeup, tanning,talent development and wardrobe; opening number and production outfits; comp cards; headshots; photographer and videographer packages; your travel expense to and from appearances; additional clothing for appearances; and other expenses. It all adds up quickly. Realize that not all these are necessary for every pageant. I want to let you know what you’re in for so you have a realistic understanding of what to financial expect.

Most people pay for the pageant expenses themselves. But it is possible to receive financial assistance from businesses and people within your sphere of influence. The key is allowing enough time to do this. Ideally, several months before you need the money. Here is a starting place to help you with your quest for sponsorship.

• List one is all about you. Write down all the skills you have that you could market to service organizations and business people in exchange for their financial sponsorship support. For example, I’m a dancer, singer, public speaker, writer, MC, promotional model, runway model, print work model, musician, hostess, and actress. Have two or three songs/dances/speeches already put together that you can perform in a variety of potential situations. Models have your portfolio together and practice your modeling routines so you can demonstrate your modeling abilities. A quick comment, your skill level must be worthy of being compensated.
• List two is all about your network. Write down all the companies that you do business with. Put salons, clothing stores, retail stores, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, banks, and direct sales people on the list. Look at the service organizations in your surrounding community such as Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Departments of Tourism, church groups, school organization, and men’s and women’s organizations. Get the yellow pages, search on online, and talk to people to find out who the mover and shakers are in your community. Start talking to the business owners and build a friendship. Ask them about their company needs for upcoming events. Get names, email addresses and phone numbers from the above people and when the organizations meet. This may feel uncomfortable at first, but it will get easier the more you do it.
• List three is all about events. Start gathering information about upcoming events from different schools, churches, service organizations, business expos, and festivals. Put them on your list. Don’t limit yourself to just your hometown. If you are competing for a state title, the whole state is an opportunity?. There is a seasonal cycle for events. Sports are year round. In spring and summer you have a lot of festivals and outdoor celebrations. In fall, people start thinking of the holidays so they are looking for entertainment for their parties. Winter brings bridal and fashion shows. Look in trade newspapers, go online, and check out the tourism websites in your area to get an even longer list of events.

Once you have your lists created, see what skills you can offer to the different businesses and organizations at their events. For example, be a greeter, handout materials, emcee, be the featured speaker or talent. It’s even more fun if you do this with organizations that are part of your platform or community service projects. People will want to support you if you are clear, confident, and professional when you approach them. You will be providing a service in exchange for their sponsorship.

Also, come up with a way to recognize and advertise their sponsorship of you for the year by offering to put their business information on your ad page, website, blog, comp card or all of the above.

Don’t rule out bartering for sponsorship. Meaning if a dress store will let you have or discount the price of a dress in exchange for being a model at several events, celebrate. A penny saved is a penny earned.

Be creative. Sell things you no longer use or need on eBay or Craigslist to get money. Organize a  event where you can have performers donate their time, sell raffle tickets, and fix a meal. Host a fund raising pageant or style show. For a year, live on strict budget and buy what you need, not what you want. You’d be amazed at how quickly you can come up with the money.

Through this whole process you’ll learn to overcome fear, prioritize your wants verses needs, manage you time, develop your planning, marketing, and networking skills. Learning how to feel the fear and shift it to your advantage is a skill that will help you far beyond the pageant.

Have fun, be creative, and grow through the process. If you have questions, need clarification or want help, please contact me so we can discuss a pageant preparation plan that is just for you.

By Rhonda Shappert
October 7, 2010 00:35