"Tools, news and interviews about and for writers of the Caribbean and beyond” with award-winning Caribbean writer Sandra Sealy

I am a Caribbean multi-genre writer, author, blogger and podcaster from Barbados. I am also a spoken-word artist and cultural practitioner and influencer in literary arts for the Caribbean region.

My podcast is about highlighting the rich but under-represented Caribbean in terns of our culture, especially its literature. By extension it also offers tools, tips, world literary news clips and markets for global writers and those interested in Caribbean culture. I take the work but not myself too seriously so, while informing, it's pretty lighthearted in tone.

Though new, my listeners who come from the Caribbean, North America, Europe and Asia, appreciate and want to know more about Caribbean literature and culture as well as world literary news and wishing to gain more expertise and find markets for their writing. So far, averaging age 28-60+ mainly women.

I blog and was intrigued by the option to be able to expand my audience in a fresh way. I researched and also was modeling both Sharon Hurley-Hall my digital content mentor and Robert Gibson aka Passionpoet a protégé. I only listened to a few before I started: Caribbean ones - The Introvert Sisters and The Wett Spot.

Initially, I wanted to expand the audience for my blog, Seawoman's Caribbean Writing and increase its SEO. I also wanted to offer more to global writers AND give back to the faithful members of the Caribbean Writers group I founded on Facebook. It's still growing with 1,850+ members from 45+ countries. I desired to highlight our under-represented yet rich regional literature and culture.

I launched my podcast on World Poetry Day - March 21, 2021. At the time I was simultaneously, planning, executing, moderating and collabing on an online event with the Barbados Creative Economy Network and the Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business (University Of The West Indies) - "The Impact of Poetry On Our Society & Economy". I wanted to strategically publicize it then but it was a lot of work!
It took a few weeks to research, plan, script, record, produce and edit even just the promo trailers. I also had to schedule and record a couple interviews. Then good thing I had an intimate focus group for even just my 24-second welcome trailer before I went live a few days before the official March 21, 2021 date. Then I did a longer 5-minute trailer and a pilot (Season 01 Episode 00). I also wanted at least episode 01 up when I officially announced it.

Episodes are released twice monthly, with occasional bonus episodes between. All of the tasks from scheduling interviews to marketing add up to roughly 24 hours of work.

I am a writer and solopreneur who mainly works remotely, so, my hours are flexible. This podcast is growing to be an integral part of my writing business, therefore I make the time.

Most of it is sweat equity since I have a background in marketing and public relations and did a bit of desktop publishing training. Working on my blog and my experience otherwise had prepared me for the learning curve of gaining familiarity with the tech to make it work.

Yes, via my company Seawoman Creative Media, I fund it myself so far.

Quite a bit, though none of my substantial inputs, particularly my work, are seeing financial returns yet. However, I recognize the vast potential and I am actively looking for direct sponsors as one of the income streams. When my podcast is sustainable, I'd be happy to offer a share of it primarily to help my artistic community in the region.

And very importantly, since I use Anchor as my platform currently, I am anxiously awaiting my government in Barbados to free up more e-commerce options like Stripe.com, so that I can generate passive income more easily. I also want to use appropriate affiliate programs for products and services I use/ believe in. Since I belong to a royalties/ rights agency for my spoken-word music (COSCAP) & hopefully, soon functioning repographic rights via (B-COPY), I especially for our culture. 

I also have a chance to meet and interview fascinating people like global freelance writer, Andrea Lo from Hong Kong  (S01E02) and the powerful women behind PEN International - Latin America & Caribbean (upcoming episode).

Sponsors (seasons/ episodes/ show segments) can be found based on my business relationships and the arts/ community work I've been doing for more than 21 years. Soon ready for that now that platforms have picked it up. Frankly, I feel once followers see consistency in my general activities promoted mainly via social media, they'll feel more encouraged to come aboard. I'll also seek grants.

I am learning so much! Podcasting offers me a viable way to link my writing with tech and to produce a digital product. It is widening my network globally. It allows me to step away from a bit of the traditional means of communicating (writing) by tapping into what people are seeking. Rather than READ some valuable info from a blog, they want to hear it. It also allows my followers to get to know me better in an authentic way. In my Caribbean region and particularly from my nation Barbados, this medium allows me to be yet again, an early influencer - especially for our culture.

I use Anchor since it is linked to my Wordpress blog platform. For now my tech is cheap and cheerful. I use my smartphone to record as well as Zoom audio files for interviews. Then I'll clean up/convert the audio with a program like Online Audio Converter.

Guests are no problem as I have built connections to a community of Caribbean writers & artists - both emerging and established - from across the Diaspora. Other than writers, I felt it important to include global experts from my circle in what may seem to be unrelated fields but strategically selected to help all writers, artists and solopreneurs grow in certain areas. Then it may not be someone that I even know. I'll just pitch!

Well, I've already got my intro, bumpers and outro ready. I use the same music and transitions. What may take a little time is research for my news clips etc and deciding on my focus. Then I'm still on a bit of a learning curve for editing my interview audio but I'm getting there.

I find Zoom fine for interviews since the audio is pretty reliable. I will, though on occasion when it's safe, interview in person.

Various means: my blog, podcast platforms: Anchor, Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Radio Public, Breaker, Pocket Casts, I just signed up to Stitcher.

Listener Acquisition: So far, about 60% is Anchor, followed by Spotify at 20%, Castbox 7% Apple 4% Other 8%

I also submitted to directories like Podchaser and Caribbean Podcast Directory.

My social media posts: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WhatsApp.

Marketing:: mini video trailers on YouTube and soon Caribmedia.tk, social media for sure and hopefully word-of-mouth. I'm also being interviewed on radio, television and via key followers.

I will do email campaigns from time to time.

Marketing: Social media mostly, a bit of sponsorship advertising of other select pods. My guests naturally share because they're part of it. I also will tie episode releases to specially observed days/ events and I use teasers sometimes.

I'd tell anyone who wants to be a podcaster, the same thing others have recommended - find a niche you're passionate about and willing to be immersed in. That way, you'll have plenty of content. b) Strive for quality especially, if growth, longevity and eventually attracting sponsors is your goal. c) Don't be afraid if it's not perfect. As a matter of fact embrace the authenticity you offer. d) Definitely plan and make it your own.

Resources: Beyond modelling/ following 2 other Caribbean pods - The Wett Spot and Introverted Sisters, I went to YouTube school and found Annie Fisk who presented a clear way to edit audio right in Anchor.

I also researched via the Internet and highly recommend you read "Launching Your Podcast with an Episode Zero" by thepodcasthost.com
Also use Podchaser as a way to allow others to review your podcasts and to find other pods you may be interested in.

Blog: Seawoman's Caribbean Writing seawomanscaribbeanwriting.org
Email: seawomancreative[at]gmail[dot]com or contact page at my blog
Podcast Platforms & To Leave A Voice Message
anchor.fm/seawomanchronicles
Donations:
paypal.me/seawomanbds?locale.x=en_US
Goodreads.com
goodreads.com/seawomanbds
bit.ly/SeawomanGoodreadsQuotes
Instagram
instagram.com/seawomancreative
YouTube
bit.ly/SeawomanYouTube
Soundcloud
soundcloud.com/sandra-sealy
Twitter
twitter.com/SeawomanCreativ
Facebook
facebook.com/seawomanBDS
facebook.com/groups/caribbeanwriters/
LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/sandrasealywriter
Some Writing Clips
seawoman.contently.com
Tumblr
seawomanbds.tumblr.com