The Cost of Beauty Pageants
Pageants can cost a lot of money. The first pageant my daughter participated in cost roughly $700.00 including clothes. The second, the nationals will cost at least twice the cost of the first. While I paid for the first contest mostly out of my own pocket, I do not intend to pay for the second. We are raising money.
There are two ways to raise money for pageants. You can solicit sponsors to pay for the entry fees for the main pageant and for the alternate competitions. You can also sell advertisements for the program book.
To solicit sponsors, must do the following:
1. Determine how much money you need. This means calculating the entry fee, plus the fees of all the alternate competitions you wish to join.
2. Determine who might be willing to sponsor you. Think of whom you know that is generous; appreciate what pageants can do for girls, and who is fond of you. These people might include relatives, church members, family friends, or local business owner. Do not forget to tell your prospective sponsors that their name will be in the program book.
3. Write a letter soliciting sponsorship. Explain what you are doing and why it will be a positive experience for you. Include in the letter your total goal but ask your prospective sponsors to donate whatever they can.
4. Give the letter to your prospective sponsors. Hand out as many as possible in person. Mail letters to people you do not think you can reach in person.
5. Make a list of everyone who responds positively. Put them on an email list so you can send them regular updates.
6. Giver reminders, in person, by mail, and by email. Remind everyone of the final deadline date (giving yourself an extra day to get it all turned in.
To solicit Ad sales, you should do the following:
1. Determine your sales goal. Decide if you want to get the highest sales, or if you want to sell enough to win automatic sponsorship fees. See your pageant rules, or call the main office to ask questions about ad sales rewards.
2. Make a list of all the business owners you know, and all the businesses you frequent.
3. Make copies of a letter asking for Ad sales. The letter should include an approximate number of how many people will see the ads and now the ad sales in a pageant book will benefit them.
4. Send/ give your letter to everyone on your list. Make a second list of those who respond positively, so you can follow up with reminders.
5. As you go about the regular business of life, do not forget to ask any business owners whom you may encounter. (Today, I sold and ad to my exterminator).
6. Ask groups you may belong to do a group ad. This could be for your church, moms group, family, or more.
Be realistic, but be bold. Do not leave yourself an out. If you make the decision that you will only participate in what you can raise through ads and donations, you will not end up paying out of your pocket.
