Pageant Tips

The Art of Conversation

By Chris Franz / Pageant Coach/Tiara Magazine Published Writer

I have judged a lot of pageants and I coach women who participate in pageants and with no exception the interview always is their number one fear. It always amazes me that these women can speak in front of large groups of people or in classrooms full of children, and yet when the interview portion of the pageant begins they lose it. In this age of text messaging, Twitter, Facebook, and emailing have we lost the art of one on one conversation? When I begin coaching someone to prepare them for the interview I always start our conversation with, “Tell me about your day”. I call this the “warm up”. People like to talk about what they know and what’s inside their comfort zone. The conversation always goes smoothly because they feel relaxed and safe. When I say that I’m going to begin coaching the interview process, I can hear panic begin to set in.

The one on one interview is the most preferred interview process in pageantry. Why, because it’s that same opportunity for you to have that private conversation with someone who wants to get to know you. The judges are not there to trick you or make you feel foolish so let them lead the way. The judge has read your bio and more than likely made some notes about it. Let he or she take the interview where it’s going based on the information you have provided. I coach my girls to speak about what they know and what they have written on their bios. I also coach them on their conversation skills.  You have four minutes or less to show that judge, that you are passionate about your platform, and that your personality is what they are looking for. The panel interview is more of a challenge because that’s where you really have to be prepared to answer anything and think on your feet.  The panel interview deserves its own article which I will cover at a later date. The important thing to remember is “be yourself “and don’t try and be someone you think the judges want to see. Have that conversation about your day and always speak from your heart.

“Have a pageant perfect day”.