Carry On Friends: The Caribbean American Experience

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Claimed

►Tell us about you and your podcast

My name is Kerry-Ann Reid-Brown and I’m a Jamaican born New York City based founder of Carry On Friends The Caribbean American Podcast. With a foot in both cultures Carry On Friends is a show with authentically energetic Caribbean vibes, and thoughtful dialogue around culture, heritage, career, entrepreneurship and everyday life that make up the Caribbean American experience. The Carry On Friends Community (audience) is are people of Caribbean Heritage whether born in the region or diaspora or friends of Caribbean culture.

►Why & how did you start this podcast? 

I started the podcast January 2015 but spent about 2 years working up to it. Before I started the podcast I listened to a lot of podcasts in a variety of categories including Religion, Marketing, Business. After an audience survey for my blog there was a lot of feedback to hear from people who were of Caribbean Heritage who were in different industries, experiences or had an interesting stories. I decided to finally launch a podcast because I felt that recording conversations was a better experience in terms of capturing the essence than writing blog posts. My goals for the podcast is to educate, motivate and inspire people to act.

►How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?

Since starting the podcast in 2015, I decided to release episodes bi-weekly because it was more manageable based on my schedule and I also didn't want to overwhelm my audience with too many episodes. I probably spend at least 8hrs end to end per podcast and that includes scheduling the guest, recording, editing, reviewing transcription, uploading episodes to hosting platform, creating graphics, scheduling social media, finalize blog post and post interview guest follow up. In addition to being a mom, wife and working a full-time job I had to be strategic in how I make time for podcasting. I try to schedule all my interviews on Saturday, I try to batch record so I have enough episodes. I make of my subway commute to get some tasks out the way. The podcast is mostly self funded - the audience has opportunity to purchase merchandise and recently added the option to support the show via Glow.fm

►What do you gain from podcasting?        

I currently do not have any sponsorship for the podcast. Being the host of Carry On Friends has been beneficial in so many ways. I've developed valuable friendships; the podcast is a creative outlet for me which has benefited my professional career. I've been able to learn from the guests on the show but most importantly the benefit of the podcast is the connection with the audience and their appreciation of the topics covered that resonates with their everyday experiences.

►How does your podcasting process look like? 

My podcast tools are listed here - breadfruitmedia.com/blog/essential-podcast-recording-tools

I find guests for the show based on the topic requests from the audience, what's happening in the community, articles I've read or I have potential guests reach out to me. Preparation for episodes depends on the topic and/or guests. For the most part I generally make sure I am familiar with the guest's background. I interview guests via Skype, Zoom or SquadCast.

►How do you market your show?

Listeners find the show mostly via Instagram and Twitter. Most of the podcast listeners come via Apple Podcasts there are other sources but not significant by themselves. I market the podcast using email and social media. In my experience they compliment each other.

►What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?

I recorded this podcast episode to respond to questions I am frequently asked. - carryonfriends.com/so-you-think-you-wanna-podcast-bonus-episode-on-podcasting

My advice is after deciding the reason to start the podcast - put some systems or process in place to manage your time. Podcasting takes more time than it appears.

►Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?

I can be found at my personal site - kerryannreidbrown.com or on the podcast's website carryonfriends.com

You can support the podcast at glow.fm/carryonfriends

On @carryonfriends on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

@carryonkerry on Twitter