You’ve just had your crowning moment. Suddenly, you dream of being a celebrity, going to glamorous events, and making countless appearances. Great! How are you going to make that happen? Yes, I said YOU. Your primary responsibility is to get the word out about your accomplishments and set up appearances. The director may have a couple of sponsor related events for you to attend; but for the rest of the year, what happens as a titleholder is all up to you and your marketing efforts.
To market yourself, you’ll want to create a press kit. For your press kit, you’ll want to assemble a press release, a headshot, one-page bio, an introductory letter from the director on official pageant letterhead, and any other supporting materials in a clean new folder.
Have your press kit available in both electronic and hard copy forms. You will mostly use the electronic format but always have at least one hard copy folder with you as a contingency. Success comes when preparation meets opportunity. Always be prepared.This way you can book an appearance from an appearance. If you’re networking the event right, there will always be someone who will approach you about appearing at their upcoming event.
Press Release
A press release is a one page document that is sent out to local news papers which includes the following information:
- Facts about you: Name, age, parents (if you are a minor), city, your new title, and brief information about your platform or service cause you will be support during your year.
- What did you do to earn the title, and what you won as a result of competing.
- Information about the pageant system and the next level of competition in which you will be compete. For example, if you will be competing at the national pageant, include the dates, locations and what’s involved at that event.
- Pageant history, mission statement, goals, and contact information for both you and your director so that you can be reached to schedule appearances. Word of caution about your personal contact information, for your personal privacy and safety, set up a separate email address to be used only during your year of reign. You never want to give out your home address, phone number, or personal information for mass distribution.
Headshot
- Make sure your headshot, and any other photos are high-resolution images so if the organization chooses to reproduce them, the photos will be crystal clear. I burn a couple images onto a CD and include one 4×6 photo in my folder so they have choices.
Bio
- One page bio spotlighting your education, honors, accomplishments, community service, talent, hobbies, and career ambitions.
Introductory Letter on Official Letterhead
- The letter from your director will lend credibility and acknowledgment to your title. It should include your name, title and information about the pageant system.
Other Supporting Materials
- If you produce a newsletter with your platform, or if there is a brochure about the pageant system you are representing, include those as well.
Then you need to figure out what type of appearances you want to focus on. Do you want to do parades? Do you want to model in fashion shows? How about speaking to service organizations or in schools? Maybe you want to travel to other pageants and be visiting royalty. You’ll quickly need to decide. It could take several weeks, or months, of planning for you to be able to participate in certain events.
How many appearances do you want to make a month? How far do you want to travel? How many appearances will be “just for fun” and how many will be networking events where you can build relationships with people who will guide you to successful paths you may walk after you crown the next queen?
Get your calendar and mark out the dates you already have commitments. Then start surfing the web and contacting people for the activities that fit your plan. You have been given an opportunity that has a expiration date; but the connections and friendships you make during your year, will not.
