19^th October 2010

Dear Miss Deaf South Africa, Miss Deaf HESC, Owners & Committee:

Congratulations to Mbali Nkosi for being chosen as Miss Deaf South Africa & also to Michelle Ciubotaru for winning the Miss Deaf HESC crown. I know both of you will make South Africa very proud!

I decided to write this letter to explain how my plan of action worked after I was crowned Miss Deaf SA & Miss Deaf HESC. Also on how I marketed myself and ‘Miss Deaf SA’ during my year of reign. I hope that the following information will help all of you move forward and take the Miss Deaf SA/Miss Deaf HESC pageant to the next level.

Vicki Fourie’s Plan of Action & Marketing Strategy from Sept. 2009 till Sept. 2010:

1. Goals & Visions

Most pageant girls like to become involved with charities and fundraisings after winning the crown. I decided instead to become a motivational speaker at schools, events and functions. Mbali & Michelle, what would you like to achieve during your year of reign? What is your plan of action? It helps to go and write down your strategy. Then you will know what needs to be done and what are your needs.

Now you need to go and sell your passion to the people. Make them believe in you. Don’t be lukewarm – be on fire for your dreams! People will feel it and then they will want to help you.

1. Sponsor’s Letter

I wrote my own sponsor’s letter. Because I didn’t get a monthly salary from the Miss Deaf SA, I knew that I would be fully dependant on sponsorships.

My sponsor’s letter contained:

a) THE WHO: A short biography and professional photo of myself (Who I am)

NB: If you don’t have a professional photograph of yourself, get one ASAP. You cannot use a cell phone picture or even a random photo. Arrange with a photographer in your town to sponsor you with a photo shoot – make up & clothes should be included. The more professional it is the better.

Tell the photographer WHY he should do it for free: It’s good marketing for him, and he can include in his portfolio that he had photographed Miss Deaf SA/Miss Deaf HESC. Also, every time the photos get published in a magazine/newspaper, make sure that the photographer’s name is included.

b) THE WHAT: My visions & goals as Miss Deaf SA & Miss Deaf HESC (What I want to do)

c) THE HOW: A rough list/budget of my needs and wish lists (How they can help me)

d) THE WHY: The motivation (Why they should sponsor me)

PS: It helps to give a practical list of the WHY’S. My WHY’S was that I would promote the sponsors everywhere I went, be it schools, events, functions, etc. I also said that they were welcome to give me T-Shirts that I could wear, pamphlets or business cards of their company that I could hand out, etc. Give practical suggestions – they love the fact that you want to support them in return.

Then I went and knocked on every door I could, with the letter in my hand. Within 2 months, I got 25 sponsors – and most of them were in Bloemfontein.

NB: It’s very important to know what your needs are, then you will know where to go. Example: I needed a hair salon to do my hair once a week, so I went to Hair By Professionals and asked them if they would sponsor me for a year. Know what your needs are.

Also know that people don’t like to give money, but they won’t hesitate to give you free service or things. Most of my sponsorships were people who said they’ll give or do things for me, like beauty treatments, printing out the pamphlets, giving me dresses & shoes for free, etc. But I never got money for free. If you manage to get this right, then well done! J

Getting sponsors can take a long time and it can be very tiring. The sooner you start, the better it will be. Then there won’t be so many expenses, because then the sponsors will back you up.

1. Opportunities & Events

Open up your eyes to the things that are going on in your area. In Bloemfontein, there are a lot of beauty competitions and special events for fundraisings. I contacted every opportunity that came along; some people said yes, some said no. As Miss Deaf SA/Miss Deaf HESC, it’s important to be a VIP guest. You are important and you are a celeb. Start acting like one – go to all the special and important events. Be seen everywhere, then you will become known everywhere you go.

NB: Never go to these functions without your sash & crown. And always look at your best! Be the princess that you are! And act like it! J

1. Media

NB: It’s very important to have Internet, as well as your own email account. If you don’t have one, open an account at an Internet Café or on your friend’s computer. (It’s even better to have a Blackberry – you can read and send emails, go on Facebook and Twitter for free & send smses)

a) Magazines & Newspapers

Become aware of what people read in your area. In Bloemfontein (where I live), people love to read the Get It magazine and the following newspapers: Volksblad, Krant, Ons Stad, Bloemnuus, Ditsem Vrystaat, Vrystaat, Public Eye News & Rapport. I read those newspapers & magazines, and contacted the editors. I wrote to all of them, explaining that I am Bloemfontein’s own Miss Deaf SA, and then I would attach a nice photo & profile of myself. All of them were interested in interviewing me – the Miss Deaf SA is not very well known, so it’s fresh news.

Most of the editors send the questions through emailing, but some of them will want to see you personally. Be available, and always respond quickly. In the media world, time is money, and do not take long to answer them. Everything always works on a deadline.

b) Radio

If you can speak with your voice and read lips, then this is also a very strong marketing tool. In Bloemfontein, I regularly appeared on OFM, RSG, Radio Rosestad & MedFM. You’d be surprised by how many people love to listen to the radio.

c) Television

If you would like to be on TV, contact the programs that you would like to be on, like DTV, Pasella, etc. Again, send them your photo & profile. Also motivate them as to WHY they should broadcast you on TV.

d) Internet

a) Facebook. People love it when they know they can regularly check on Facebook to see what you’re up to. Try to update your photos every week, tell the people what you’ve been doing as Miss Deaf SA/Miss Deaf HESC. Facebook is an excellent networking tool.

I’m on Facebook – invite me, then you can view my photos, statuses and friends to understand exactly what I mean.

b) Twitter. It’s almost the same as Facebook – it’s easier, but I like Facebook more. To view my Twitter account: www.twitter.com/vickifourie.

c) Blogging/Website. It will be wonderful if you could start your own website or blog. I have a blog, and it’s an excellent way for South Africa to know what you are up to. I update mine regularly by telling people what’s my next event, school or function that I will make an appearance at. Also when I will be on TV, in the newspapers or radio, etc. To view my blog for examples: www.vickifourie.blogspot.com.

PS: You can also put all your sponsors’ logos on your blog/website as advertisements. This example can also be one of the WHY’S in your Sponsor’s Letter.

OPTIONAL:
Mbali & Michelle, ask the Miss Deaf SA’s Website Coordinators whether you can get your own page on the official Miss Deaf South Africa website (www.missdeafsouthafrica.co.za). You can then update it regularly by telling everyone what you are up to as Miss Deaf SA/Miss Deaf HESC.

d) Newsletters: This one takes a lot of time, but it will encourage your sponsors to start supporting you more and more. Write a newsletter once every month (or 2^nd month, like I did), and tell them what you have been doing as Miss Deaf SA/Miss Deaf HESC. You get great responses and you can even post this on your Facebook (Notes).

1. Miss Deaf International 2011

Mbali, you can apply online to participate in the Miss Deaf International 2011 (www.missdeafinternational.com). It will take place in Italy next year, and even more sponsorships will be required for this. It costs a lot of money and very intense planning, but it can be done. After all, I managed to go to Las Vegas this year.

You will receive a package from the MDI organizers after you’ve applied, and you will see what needs to be done: evening gown, talent, traditional wear, private interview, etc. The sooner you can start with all the preparations, the better it will be. Ask Gert & Narda to help you with this, or get someone in your town who will be willing to help you.

NB: The flight tickets are very expensive, and you will need all the support you can get to pay for it.

That’s it in a nutshell. I hope that this information has been vital to Mbali, Michelle, the Owners of Miss Deaf SA & the Committee.

Thank you, once again, for the honour I had of being Miss Deaf South Africa & Miss Deaf HESC.

Vicki Fourie

Miss Deaf South Africa 2009/Miss Deaf HESC 2009