Confidence

• A key component to winning a beauty pageant is having confidence in yourself. You need confidence in every aspect of your life. That confidence shows during various stages of the pageant. For example, when you feel confident in your evening attire or swimsuit attire, you walk taller and smile more. If you feel confident in your talent, you perform better. Work on your confidence every day through positive thinking and accepting your imperfections.
  
  

Attire

• A large part of a beauty pageant deals with attire. You need appropriate attire for the entire pageant. Choose gowns and swimsuits that play to your natural beauty. You do not want outfits that are overly revealing or unbecoming to your figure. What you wear during the pageant is observed heavily by the judges. Wearing attire that is too revealing or too matronly is unappealing. You must find an appropriate balance between the two. Shoes are also part of your pageant attire. You must have shoes that you can walk in without looking uncomfortable. Choose and walk in your pageant shoes as far in advance as you can.
  
  

Speech

• A beauty pageant is not just about judging physical beauty. It also judges intelligence. Judges look for well-rounded individuals with both inner and outer beauty. Show the judges your intelligence by working on your speech. Practice in the mirror and on friends or family. Have people ask you questions. Come up with thoughtful and intelligent answers to those questions. Use your personal experiences and speak genuinely. When you aren’t genuine in your answers or speech, it shows through. Utilizing your personal experiences also gives judges and the audience common ground with you, which makes you more appealing. For example, refer to volunteer experience or personal life choices when you answer questions. Show the audience and the judges that you have first-hand experience whenever possible.
  
  

Talent

• Beauty pageants give you the opportunity to showcase your talent. Whether you sing, dance or do magic tricks, you must have the talent portion perfected before you attempt it on stage. Work on your talent well in advance of the pageant. Use coaches and practice whenever possible. When you feel confident in your talent, you reduce the chances of messing up during the talent portion of the pageant.