While this isn’t a forecast blog, this is a look ahead to something coming soon!
David, Will and I remember the days, not so long ago, when we were financially supporting NashSevereWx out of our own pockets. Granted, we didn’t have as many ongoing costs as we do now. But, being weather twitterers was a sandbox we wanted to play in, and our families were gracious enough to humor us (and still do).
What we know today as Nashville Severe Weather is only what it is because of you. Some of you choose to support us on Patreon. Some have supported us with one-time contributions in other ways. Many have supported us with kind words. All of these gifts are appreciated in ways you may never fully understand.
Patreon is the platform we have used since February 2017 to receive monthly giving. I just re-read our first post from the day we launched. We were sharing that 16 people had joined us on Patreon in the first 12 hours of launching it. All three of us were a bundle of nerves at the thought of asking you for donations. But, seven years later, I can say this has been life-giving for us and our families. Thank you.
The Update
When we started Patreon, we didn’t have much to give you in return. We offered to put your name on our website or to send you some stickers. However, many wanted to remain anonymous and didn’t care about having your name on the website or getting some stickers. We eventually figured out you just wanted to give. When contributors signed up for Patreon, they were asked by Patreon why they were giving. Not one person to date has responded that they signed up because of the perks being offered. Rather, 100% responded saying they wanted to support us financially.
While we know this statistic is true, we want to do something, as small as it might be.
We have decided to edit the two “suggested” giving tiers in Patreon. We plan to share more frequent updates on Patreon (via Patreon posts) to those who give $5/month. These posts will share news and ideas related to our team….a chance for you to hear what we’re thinking and even give us feedback on if our ideas would help you as followers. You may very well shape what we do next.
The $15/month option additionally unlocks the ability for you to join quarterly weather classes we will be facilitating. A different topic will be chosen each time (how to read radar, how weather warnings work, etc). We have lots of ideas here, and it’s been something we’ve wanted to do for quite a while. We envision these being virtual classes where you can ask questions. Why these classes only for the $15 giving level?
Two things. First, we want to have the ability to interact with a smaller group than the whole. If you have ever joined us on YouTube Live, you know there are a lot of people who just stumbled on our stream, and the chat becomes a big discombobulated mess. Not great for an environment where we really want to be able to interact with you.
Secondly, we’ve always said we will not put life-saving information behind a paywall. We still strongly believe this. The weather classes each quarter will not be focused on life-saving information. In an effort to make life-saving information available to everyone, we will be doing a weather safety class twice a year, open to the public. This will be similar to our current YouTube Live format where anyone can watch, and we’ll be on the lookout for questions as much as we can. This stream won’t be focused as much on how weather works…but more on specific things you can do to help keep you and your loved ones safe in Middle Tennessee’s severe weather.
Nashville Severe Weather has never been “about the money.” For many years, we were nervous to even think about putting a tip jar out there. Frankly, I’m not sure we’ve ever been 100% comfortable with it. But, we know it’s necessary to help with our ongoing expenses. For your gifts, we are exceedingly grateful.
To each one of you, thank you for being a part of Nashville Severe Weather. Just for being here with us, you are a part. David, Will and I are also only a part. It takes a team. Elan the blog man, Graham the (Insta)Gram man, Luke the web man, interns of yesteryear, our families….and you. Thank you.
-Andrew Leeper
