10 Years, 10 LessonsThings I’ve Learned

Josh JohnsonMeteorologist – WSFA-TV Montgomery, AL

1. Find The Right Job

What are your priorities? Location? Weather? Quality of Life? Shift?

Ownership – Station Stability are more important than market size

Ultimate Goal = Your Happiness

Chase good JOBS, not good “markets”-Job Security-Cost of Living

2. Contracts

Negotiation Points: $, Outs, Vacation, Conferences, Allowances

Read – Understand – Ask Questions

Ultimate Goal = Your Happiness

Contract Duration is VERY important.If you’re willing to stay, use that as leverage.

2. Contracts

SCENARIO 2 – NEGOTIATE SHORTER DEAL2013: $32,0002014: $34,000

2015: $50,000 at New Job? Or $14,000 working in retail?

Example Situation: You’ve worked at KAFD-TV for 2 years making $28,000 per year. Your initial 2 year contract is up and they like you. So, you’re offered a new 4 year contract.

SCENARIO 1 – ACCEPT THEIR OFFER:2013: $34,0002014: $36,0002015: $38,0002016: $40,000

2. ContractsIt’s a business – don’t take it personally, and don’t be afraid to ask for things. You represent YOU.

Put yourself in your GM’s shoes. Try to understand his or her position, reasoning and pressure.

ALWAYS try to make this a civil, honest and friendly process – take the high road.

3. Forecasting

Never stop learning.

Research past significant events – not only will this help you forecast, but you’ll be able to use those events to connect with viewers.

Conservative or Aggressive? People remember WRONG forecasts much more than correct forecasts.

A correct forecast that is poorly communicated will be viewed as “wrong.” Work tirelessly on communicating the impacts of your forecast clearly.

4. Focus on Impact“How and when will the weather impact me?” - Everyone

Watch your own forecasts – if you aren’t answering that question, then someone or something else will.

Develop a razor-sharp focus on how weather impacts people. Remember that they have diverse plans. Some are farmers begging for rain, others are golfers who despise rain.

5. CommunicationA very underrated part of our job is understanding how our words are perceived.

Example: You’re forecasting a major change to colder weather in 3 days. A cold front will drop the temperature from 70s to 30s. You forecast a high of 40 on Day 3 of your 7-Day forecast. Consider using 39 instead. People mentally process 39 as much colder than 40.

Especially important during…

6. Severe WeatherSevere weather coverage – geography, weather, people. All 3 are equally important.

Don’t let your passion become excitement. Reminder: People are the “good guys,” tornadoes are the “bad guys.”

You aren’t paid by the word. Choose words carefully and use concise but powerful sentences to communicate clearly.

6. Severe WeatherUse the concept of breaking news to help fine-tune your choice of words. In this example, you’re Walter Cronkite and you’re going on TV with one of the most important stories of all time. Which one has the greater impact?

“At 12:31pm on November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by a man in the Texas Book Depository.”

“The President has been shot.”

7. Daily WorkflowEfficiency and time management are critical. Radio, web, social media, forecasting, building graphics. There have never been more demands on a meteorologist’s time.

Know your graphics system inside and out. Use that knowledge to produce weather graphics that are quickly/easily updated.

Think ahead. When you design graphics, do so with the daily workflow in mind. If it takes 20 minutes per day to update that graphic, redesign it.

8. Social MediaFacebook: Photos are the best driver. Seek shares and comments first, then likes. Text statuses are least effective. Lazy, generic teases are also not effective.

Twitter: Great outlet for severe weather updates. Creativity a must when generating daily weather tweets.

Interacting with viewers on social media: Friendly but firm. If someone has bad info, it’s fine to provide them with facts. But, you MUST stay friendly. If you’re nice to someone, they’ll tell 2-3 people. If you’re rude to someone, they’ll tell 10-12 people.

8. Social Media

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8. Social Media

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9. RelationshipsYou and the NWS are on the same team. If you disagree with them on air, do it professionally. Follow up with an open and honest private discussion. “Calling out” the NWS on air/social media is almost always a bad idea.

EMA: Very important to develop solid relationships with as many EMA people as possible.

Other TV Stations: Engaging in arguments with your competition is not a good idea. Stay above the fray.

10. AttitudeNegativity and cynicism are epidemic in TV. Don’t let anyone steal your joy. Remember why you do what you do.

Recharge your mind: Even if it’s a “staycation” – occasionally disconnect from social media, weather, and anything else for a day or two.

Check your ego. Someone in aisle 6 at Wal-Mart recognizing your face is a byproduct of your career choice, not a universal recognition of your supreme greatness.

Thanks!Facebook: Josh Johnson WSFA

Twitter: @JoshWeather

Questions?