Looks DO MATTER when it comes to TV weather.   From my personal experience, I’ve been told the following, “Trim your eyebrows”,  “Wear lighter colored suits”, “Wear more make up under your eyes” (Yes, men do wear make up.  Lots of it!  It helps reduce shine from all the lights on your face while you’re on set).

Most of this is pretty PG…there have been cases where News Directors or General Managers have been known to say, “you need to lose more weight” or “that lipstick made you look like a w*&%e”.   Get used to this criticism…unfortunately, its part of the industry!

Remember this statement very carefully:

“TV is all about ratings, period.”

You are being hired not just because you are a good meteorologist…but because your news director feels that your delivery, look, and personality will bring more revenue to the station.  I’d say your weather segment is generally 75% about your looks, communication, and presentation, while 25% is subject matter.  (I may even be too conservative…and would probably bump it up to 85%).

By the way, when you get hired into a small market station (DMA>120)…try and negotiate a clothing allowance into your contract.   Because you will be required to wear nice suits, collared shirts, and ties for your job everyday (ladies-pant suits and dresses)…it makes sense for the station to help foot some of the bill for you.    I think $500-$1000 lump sum for a part time job and $1500-2000 for a full time position at a small market station is fair…considering you’re probably going to be paid peanuts in the beginning (will discuss salaries in another post, I promise!).

So with that being said…dress to impress…look your best, and feel good about yourself .  Just remember that you are going to get criticism from management, viewers, and probably even your own family!  My advice is…let people say what they want.   If you feel like some of the criticism is true or your management is making a big stink about it…then make some changes.  If not, take it with a grain of salt…you’ve become a local celebrity!