5 Steps to Choosing a Successful Pageant Platform

Choosing a successful pageant platform can be a daunting task, especially for those of you who are just beginning in pageantry. Take a deep breath! If you had the courage to enter a pageant, you have the ability to develop a highly successful pageant platform. Do not be overwhelmed by all of the paperwork, research, and volunteering that is assumed when you dive into a pageant that requires a platform. Ease your anxieties and follow these 5 steps:

1.) Make a List of Causes That are Important to You

This is your first step to finding success with a platform. If you are not developing a platform that has significant meaning to you, it will be very difficult for you to get others involved. Common requirements on platform information sheets are issues you wish to address, your plan for creating awareness, and ways you will change the behaviors and attitudes of others related to and regarding the issue. There are so many organizations for all different causes that you have the world at your fingertips to choose a platform you are truly satisfied with. Take the time to sit down and consider what causes are important to you then make a list.

2.) Do Your Research

Now that you have made your list, do your research. Spend time trying out different phrases and keywords that pertain to your cause. If you are planning to support domestic violence prevention search for domestic violence prevention groups, national organizations, state organizations and events. Also search for state and national facts pertaining to your cause and do not rely on just one source. One website may say that 1 out of 7 teens experience domestic violence in relationships while another may say that 1 in 4 ninth graders experience domestic violence in relationships; it is the same general concept but a different fact. Search around to find concrete facts that are backed up by many different sources before you use them in your platform. Expect to be asked any question pertaining to your platform by your audience, whether it be judges or the groups of people you are presenting to when you are a titleholder.

3.) Find Resources and Organizations on Local, State, and National Levels

When judges and pageant directors are considering the criteria for choosing a titleholder on any level, they are considering whether or not they will be able to continually use your platform to market you and their organization. Does your organization go beyond a local level? For example, if you are supporting a school for children with special needs that is found in your local town, but you cannot find any other sources for that organization beyond the local level you are limiting yourself by using that platform. That is not to say that you cannot use a platform that benefits children with special needs and their families. Consider choosing a platform that allows you to utilize other organizations that are well-known on a state and national level such as Special Olympics. By reorganizing your platform to give you a wider range of opportunities, you are expanding your rate of success. If judges see that you can easily step into the local, state, and national role with your platform their view of your preparation to hold any title responsibility is automatically more positive.

4.) Be Creative!

Now you have found a platform, done your research, and decided on an organization that will help you promote your cause. The next step you need to take is naming your platform. Your easiest option is to name it after the organization. For example, if you are going with Special Olympics you may decide to name your platform Special Olympics, I would advise against this option unless you truly feel it is most beneficial. If you are solely promoting Special Olympics as an organization and program, using their name would be something that may be more beneficial than choosing a name people may not recognize. However, if you are planning to promote a cause such as supporting the families of children with special needs you should develop something more creative than just "supporting the families of children with special needs." Set yourself up for success by defining your goals within your platform title. Make use of acronyms, acrostics, and puns. Think of Michelle Obama's organization "Let's Move!" She did not decide to just use "Prevent Childhood Obesity" or "Raising Awareness of the Childhood Obesity Epidemic." She got creative with her platform. People see the words "Let's Move!" and they know that it has something to do with moving, exercise, and getting involved as a group.

5.) Connect with Your Audience

Last but definitely not least, connect with your audience. The judges are not the only group of people who will be seeing or experiencing your platform. Any audience, director, social group, etc. will be able to see what your platform is supporting. Write your platform in order to gain the interest of your audience. Do not use only statistics and facts to describe your cause. Yes, it is important to know the percentage of children suffering from childhood obesity in the United States, but if you do not pair that fact with something that connects with the reader it will fall flat. Your platform is meant to get people involved, change behaviors and attitudes towards your chosen issue, and promote not only the cause but the positive impact of women in pageantry. Think of impactful stories that move you when you think of the cause you have chosen. People want to feel connected with your plan; they want to feel like they are a part of the change you are making. Involve people by using your platform as a tool for interaction instead of a statistics paper.

If you follow these 5 easy steps, you will be on your way to having a platform that will help you achieve goals and change the lives of others!

Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Hughes All Rights Reserved

Elizabeth Hughes is a makeup artist and pageant coach based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Specializing in weddings, pageants, and other special events she can cater to your cosmetics and styling needs. Elizabeth Hughes pairs her pageant experience with her professional education to coach clients from all over the nation to be skillfully polished in the area of communication. Amaranth Collection is Elizabeth Hughes' own line of cosmetics and accessories geared towards the elite pageant contestant and high fashion woman. From offering makeup lessons, on site hair and makeup to on-stage modeling lessons, interview coaching, and wardrobe styling Elizabeth is the jack of all trades in the pageant industry.

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