The difference between a good and great weathercast is about two inches
Several years ago, I decided to get serious about getting in shape. I had been working out at a local health club for several months but wasn’t making any progress. My routine was good, but not great.
So, I hired a coach.
I planned on only working with the coach for a few months. I figured that once he told me what I needed to change or add to my routine, I could continue to make progress on my own. A few months eventually turned into a year because I realized the trainer did more than show me how to work out. He coached me on how to work out more effectively.
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At first, he recommended big changes. I’ll admit that some of his recommendations were obvious once he pointed them out. Why didn’t I think of that? I kept wondering. Over time, as I developed a new routine, he kept my work out fresh with minor suggestions.
His adjustments always seemed to be about two inches.
He would tell me to move my hands two inches on the lat bar, pull my arms back two inches when doing the tricep press, or spread my feet apart two more inches on the quad machine. Two inches. Every time. If you’ve ever done a serious workout, you know that two inches can make a big difference.
I find that’s also true about TV weathercasts too.
These days I’m coaching over 30 broadcast meteorologists. Not in the gym. Rather in television stations. When I start working with a client, I sometimes urge them to make significant changes to their weather presentations that reflect the needs of contemporary consumers. Their weather coverage is good but not great. They aren’t making any progress.
Eventually, my recommendations are much smaller as my clients continue to develop. I might recommend changing the order of a few graphics to deliver a stronger message. I might suggest a different way of explaining a complicated weather situation. Or I might propose a new format for the mobile webcasts and social media posts. The equivalent of two inches.
There are several advantages of working out with a coach, be it in the gym or in the studio:
1. Expertise and guidance: Coaches are typically experts in their field and have a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw upon. They guide and advise you on achieving your goals, offer new perspectives, and challenge your assumptions.
2. Accountability and motivation: Coaches keep you accountable and help you progress toward your goals. They provide motivation when you feel stuck and help you stay focused and committed.
3. Personalized approach: Coaches focus on individual needs, strengths, and weaknesses. They can create personalized strategies specific to your goals.
4. Feedback and support: Coaches provide constructive feedback and support that helps you improve and grow. They can help you identify areas where you can improve, celebrate your successes, and provide encouragement when things get tough.
6. Time and cost-effective: Coaching saves time and money in the long run. Coaches can help you avoid common mistakes and pitfalls and help you work more effectively and efficiently. Additionally, coaching is cheaper than recruiting and hiring.
In the end, I stopped working out with my coach. Without his regular guidance and advice, I lost the muscle mass I had gained. Without the feedback and support, I started putting back on fluffy pounds. Eventually, I lost motivation and canceled my gym membership.
I didn’t think my coach’s recommendations were all that significant at the time. I mean, two inches? Come on. Looking back, I realize now that those small adjustments were the difference between good and great, success and failure.
Tim Heller is an AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist, Talent Coach, and Weather Content Consultant. He helps local TV stations and broadcast meteorologists implement effective weather coverage strategies on-air, online, and on social media.