The Region Leadership Conference is the first step on the path to Nationals! Let’s start the journey with a few competitive event tips for success.
1. Find Resources
Your adviser may have study material, the internet definitely has flashcards, and veteran competitors have advice for you. It is your job to go hunt for those resources that may propel you to the next level.
Use the information listed on fbla-pbl.org and research on your topic so you can master the subject.
2. Understand the Rubric
Make sure you won’t get penalty points: follow the time limit and meet the dress code expectations.
3. Resolve technical difficulties.
Technical difficulties are the biggest nerve-wracking moments when presenting. All of your hard work may depend on a certain video or slide or picture and that may glitch the rest of your delivery.
- First, if you don’t have a backup, don’t stress out. Judges understand these mishaps, so brushing it off and briefly explaining what they’ve missed from the technical problem and moving on can be the best approach.
- However, you can plan ahead by having a backup. In case a presentation does not show up on a projector, show it on a laptop. And then have another backup, if you really need to. If the laptop suddenly restarts, have PDF copies of the powerpoint for the judges.
4. Practice and more practice
Give yourself and your team an adequate time for practicing the final product.
- This will allow time for building chemistry with your partners, review some technical difficulties, fix mistakes and memorize a smooth delivery.
- A previous state officer taught me how to practice my enunciation by sticking a pen between my teeth and reciting the speech. When you take it out, your diction will be crisper.
- Another fun way to know that you have mastered your product is saying your script backward with your partner. Saying the conclusion and then alternating your line all the way to the introduction may seem funky, but at least for my group, it made us comfortable with our lines.
- A good reminder when practicing is to never recite in a robotic manner. Every time you practice, your speed and intonation should reflect on how you will actually deliver. Keep it natural and fun!
5. Be Proud
Smile and be confident in yourself. You’ve put hard work into this project and you deserve to share it to the world. I like to be proud of my work whether there is a grade or award attached to it or not. And I think that is the best mindset to have.
I hope this serves you well and wish you the best of luck on your endeavors!
