This document provides career advice for meteorologists. It discusses priorities like location, weather, quality of life, and job security. It emphasizes chasing good jobs, not just markets. Contract duration is very important, and it's best to negotiate shorter deals. Social media effectiveness is discussed, with photos performing best on Facebook and weather updates on Twitter. Relationship building with emergency managers and avoiding arguments are also advised. Overall, the document offers tips on negotiation, social media, career longevity, and maintaining positivity in the field.

1. Things I’ve Learned
Josh Johnson
Meteorologist – WSFA-TV Montgomery, AL

2. 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

3. 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.

4. SCENARIO 2 – NEGOTIATE SHORTER DEAL
2013: $32,000
2014: $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: $34,000
2014: $36,000
2015: $38,000
2016: $40,000

5. It’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.

6. 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.

7. “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.

8. A 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…

9. Severe 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.

10. Use 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.”

11. Efficiency 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.

12. Facebook: 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.

13. 33 Shares 15 Comments 137 Likes

14. 0 Shares 1 Comment 6 Likes

15. You 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.

16. Negativity 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.

17. Facebook: Josh Johnson WSFA
Twitter: @JoshWeather