“I saw your post, your book looks lovely! I run a children’s bedtime story podcast,” Karen wrote.
The rest, as they say, is history! Working with Karen on her podcast ‘Bedtime Stories’ has been a delightful and rewarding experience. She is polished, professional, kind, and encouraging, putting you at ease right from the get-go. I was very impressed with the stats in terms of listeners, and it is no wonder that she was shortlisted for a ‘Podcast for Business Award’.
I am delighted to welcome Karen Kelly! Join me as we find out just what led to Karen becoming queen of the airwaves! Quiet now everyone!… We are…
Lois: Hi Karen, thanks so much for joining us today!
Karen: It’s a pleasure, lovely to be here.
Lois: I know that you are an author in your own right and that back in the day you were airline cabin crew. Do tell us about your novel, Lillian White’s Journey! How much of your book was inspired by real-life events?
Karen: On the whole, this is a fictional story. I had a wonderful, colourful career as cabin crew working for several major airlines and lucky enough to travel and see many countries with great crew which I have thrown up into the air to see where it would land! I have also experienced a few hairy moments on-board in relation to minor emergencies which I have twisted and turned for the story but with years of experience, I can write about this industry quite easily.
Lois: It’s fair to say that you and I met because I am a children’s author, but I know it’s not only the Bedtime Stories Podcast that you broadcast. We would love to hear about how you got into broadcasting Karen, and the other ventures you are involved in!
Karen: It was actually through networking and marketing my novel, Lillian White’s Journey, that I flew through the airwaves after being asked to be a guest on a local radio show to talk about my book. I thought to myself, ‘I fancy that myself’ so I managed to bag my own show called Scarlet Ladies. Sadly, the radio station called an end to live shows thus moving into Podcasting and this is how it all started. My other podcast is called Appetite for Life – a fun, lively chat show, interviewing various entrepreneurial guests.
Lois: I hear that earlier this year you were shortlisted for a ‘Podcast for Business Award’. That is an awesome achievement! Please share with us just how you were nominated!
Karen: After entering the Podcast for Business Awards back in November/December last year I totally forgot about it. I then received an email with the nominees and couldn’t believe that Bedtime Stories was on there for Best Family Podcast. Although I didn’t take home the award this time, the Awards Evening was fantastic and as hundreds of people entered the awards, it was still a great achievement to be shortlisted.
Lois: Can you tell us a little bit about the editing process in your podcasts. How tricky is that?
Karen: It is a time-consuming task syncing words to music and jingles etc and making sure the finished article runs smoothly with no interference, however, as I’ve been doing it for a while now my producing skills surprise me on a daily basis.
Lois: Without breaching client confidentiality, is there a broad spectrum to your client base encompassing individuals through to SME’s? (Small to medium-sized enterprises, companies with no more than 500 employees).
Karen: Each client’s requirements are individual but on the whole producing podcasts for SME’s is a really effective tool.
Lois: What is it that you find most challenging in your varied work?
Karen: During lockdown I had every intention of writing the sequel to Lillian White’s Journey and completing my children’s series, Emergency Ed, however, the Podcasting side to my business increased so I had to go with that. My biggest challenge is the pressure I put myself under to get it all done!
Lois: Your career certainly covers a diverse skill set. If you could name one thing, what is it that you love best?
Karen: It has to be writing, creating fun and engaging content to uplift and entertain an audience.
Lois: Thank you so much for taking the time to give us such a fascinating insight into your work Karen!
You can find Karen by following the links below folks!
Bedtime Stories Podcast
https://feeds.captivate.fm/bedtime-stories/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/karenlindakelly/
Twitter
@karenlindakelly
https://twitter.com/karenlindakelly
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/karenkellypodcasts/
LinkedIn
KAREN KELLY Author and Podcaster | LinkedIn
You can buy Karen’s book here! ➡
Waterstones
Lillian White’s Journey by Karen Kelly | Waterstones