Tips for Personal Introduction!

It's that time of the year where the top competitors from across the nation are preparing for the largest event in pageantry... NAM Nationals! Here are some tips to help you perfect your introduction for the Personal Introduction Competition!

The NAM Personal Introduction Competition focuses on public speaking. The goal of this competition is to equip NAM Finalist with the skills needed to address the public. Whether it is conquering your school presentation or a future job presentation, this competition teaches girls how to command the audience from the mic! 

TIPS:

1.) Pay attention to the time limit! For NAM State Pageants you have 30 seconds and for NAM Nationals you have 60 seconds. You will be timed as soon as you start speaking. It is important that you do not go over you allowed time. Practice so you finish your intro a few seconds behind your allowed time. 

2.) Do not wait till pageant week to write your intro. You want to practice before hand. You want to feel comfortable when you are on stage. A great way to do this, is to be comfortable with what you are saying. So practice makes perfect!

3.) Practice speaking in front of an audience! When we get in front of people that is when our nerves can kick in. So practice in front of your family, friends and people you aren't so comfortable with. You can say your intro in front of your class room, church or group activities. This is a great way to help you address an audience. 

4.) Command the audience before you start speaking. You want to grab the judges attention the moment you walk out on stage. Walk out with a great smile, make eye contact and work the room. 

5.) Dress the part! Make sure you follow the NAM guidelines when picking out your outfit for personal introduction. You need to wear something that you would wear for a job interview. Remember you are applying for a state or national title, you need to look like a titleholder. A nice suit or interview dress would be great! 

6.) Speak loud and clear! You want to make sure that the judges and audience can hear you. So speak up! We tend to speed up when we get a little a nervous so make sure you do not speak too fast. 

7.) Get Creative! It is important to stand out during the introduction competition, so get creative when putting yours together. Think of fun and ear catching ways to make a statement. Remember this is a great time for the judges to get to know you. Think of unique phrases and quotes to add to your intro. 

8.) Don't forget the required elements! Remember you must say your name, hometown and/or something interesting about you. 

9.) Complete your intro! We have seen this time and time again, a girl walks out on stage and rocks her intro and then hands back the mic and than runs off the stage! We do not want to this! After you are done speaking hand the mic back to the queen and continue working the room. Remember to smile and make eye contact as you exist the stage. 

10.) BE YOU! You hear us say this all the time at NAM, but it is so important that you be you! You want to be authentic. There can never be a better you! So be proud of who you are and let that shine through! 

Tips from National All- American Miss Courtlyn Burris 

"For your personal introduction, it's best to start by thinking of a few things that are most important to you and then integrate them into the introduction along with the required elements.  Stay away from mimicking someone else and try not to use words that you wouldn't normally use. Basically, just be yourself! You want your introduction to be as natural and as conversational as possible. Try to show elements of your own personality as well, I always love adding a little humor to my intro to make the judges smile.  Finally, and most importantly, practice, practice, practice. Practice alone, practice with an audience and practice with distractions. That way you can speak with confidence and be assured of doing your best!" Courtlyn Burris National All-American Miss

Sample Personal Introduction and Interview Outfits!