-Make sure to double check all the rules. There's a lot and you don't want to miss any. Understand what separates the different entry categories, and what is a walk on vs a skit. Make sure you are ready for all the standards.-Practice practice practice your skit EVEN IF its just a walk on. It seems easy enough, get on stage and twirl around a bit but its much more difficult than that. It can really be intimidating on stage before a ton of people and expected to pose or entertain. PRACTICE. Practice IN costume and WITH music. You need to be confident in yourself and what you will be doing when you get on there. -Catalog your entire costume progress WELL. Bring in reference photos to your judging AS WELL AS Work in progress photos. Its important! This can help you steal a win! The judges like to see the process to better understand how hard you work. And dont assume what your cosplaying will be recognizable, because not all judges watch everything, even the popular stuff. Give them a comparison. I've had many judges just nod at me during judging and then when I show them what I am they go, "OH WOW! Thats really spot on!" You want this reaction. -Remember that it is a competition and there's a chance you will not in. Recite a private losing speech to yourself. You need to be as prepared to lose as excited you are to win.Â