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Let me just say - I'm a big research girl. For those of you who are familiar with the Enneagram, I'm an Enneagram 5, a personality type that's also referred to as 'The Investigator'. I love investigating and learning as much as I can about things - especially before trying something new, like when I first started out in pageants, for example. It's just how I'm wired.
Anyway, this means I've checked out all the pageant blogs, vlogs, YouTube channels, websites... you name it. So I proudly present the cream of the crop (Crowns? Crown of the crop? Cream of the crowns? ... I'll just stop now) when it comes to online pageant resources that you can access for free from the comfort of your home!
If you Google search any type of pageant blog, tips, tricks, etc., Pageant Planet will without a doubt be one of the first ones you'll find. Their incredible wealth of knowledge spans across all different pageant systems, and no matter what you're looking for, they're sure to have some sort of blog on it. In fact, the amount of information they have might seem incredibly overwhelming, but if you know what you're looking for, you're sure to find it.
Personally, I like that every now and then, they'll give a 'Pageant Question of the day'- a sample onstage or interview question to give you some practice or get your mind thinking about current events or other interview topics. I've found that while some of the questions might not be very relevant to the pageant systems or age group I'm competing in, they're always great to get my mind into interview mode and to get me thinking about different things.
When it comes to beginner pageant info, or the basics, like how to write your pageant paperwork or how to do a pageant walk, Pageant Planet definitely has you covered. Just be sure the information you're finding from them isn't outdated, biased (as some of their blogs are written by titleholders that may have a bias towards or against a certain pageant organization), or potentially just trying to sell you something.
With a name like that, how could you go wrong? ;)
I'm not going to lie, at first I kind of overlooked Win a Pageant. It seemed a little to cliche for my taste, and perhaps aimed at girls a little younger than me. However, when researching for this blog, I DEFINITELY ate my words.
The amount of knowledge that Alycia Darby has is mind boggling. The first of her podcast/videos that I found was Visualizing your pageant win. Yes, I know, it sounds cheesy. And when you listen to the video, it's going to sound even cheesier (hope no one's lactose intollerant). But I truly do believe in the power of visualization, and I'm sure I'll have blogs on that to come! Then, I started looking at more of her videos. She covers so much of the little bits of pageantry that aren't always covered - like Finding your off-stage fashion style, Online appearances and social media (especially during COVID!), and even How to practice your walk at home with the one and only Lu Sierra.
As if I wasn't blown away enough already, I then checked out her website where she has incredible blog content, a link to her Amazon page where she's essentially created a pageant girl one-stop shop, and a selection of free and paid-for pageant courses ranging from a free pageant prep course, to a printable organized pageant binder, to a guide to start your own Podcast or Youtube channel.
Dani Walker is the ultimate pageant coach/influencer/pageant vlogger. She held the title of Miss Montana USA 2018 and has consistently made Youtube videos with pageant tips, tricks, and pageant reaction and predictions for YEARS and has enough content to last you a lifetime!
One of my personal favorite things that she's done is made a series of her journey from winning Miss Montana USA to competing for Miss USA. I'm the kind of person that likes to watch/listen to pageant content while I'm driving, working out, etc. to keep me motivated and in the pageant mindset, and Dani's videos are PERFECT for reminding me what I'm doing this all for.
Dani also offers coaching services, courses, and other digital products like a guide to growing your Instagram, a style guide, Lightroom presets, and more.
My favorite Miss USA of all time would probably have to be Sarah Rose Summers. I love her bubbly attitude, her faith, and generally everything about her. While her podcast isn't always directly related to pageantry, I love listening to her talk about life after pageantry with so much wisdom and positivity, as well as the many guests she has on talk about their own lives, and how they are more than the things that many of us define our self-worth by (hence the name, 'More than a crown').
My personal favorite episode is Taking Control of your Think Bank with Savvy Shields, Miss America 2017. Between a former Miss USA and a former Miss America, both of whom are wise beyond their years and value keepin' it real, they discuss the not-so-pretty parts of being a national titleholder, something that's worth hearing and considering no matter where you fall in the pageant world.
You can listen to the More than a crown podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.
Well, that about sums up my favorite online pageant resources!
Of course, I always love learning and finding more voices to listen to and learn from. Do you know of an online resource that you think would be a great fit for this blog? I'd love to share it! Send me an email at sarahdudinetz@gmail.com to get started.
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