► Tell us about you and your podcast
My name is Michael J Maione and I am the host of the MICRO BREAK podcast.
I have more than 35 years experience in the entertainment business ranging from professional disc jockey, musician, sound engineer and music producer. I live, work, and record here in the great garden state of New Jersey, USA.
I have a passion for nostalgia and much of my episodes are built with retro content. This might include music, technology, american history, and anything in between.
Each week, I share my unbridled thoughts, wisdom, and humor on a wide range of topics from yesterday to today. All delivered unscripted and loosely edited. The podcast features artist spotlights, occasional guests, multi-part specials, and much more.
My listening audience is build from all adult ages and walks of life, both in and out of the entertaining and content creation field. THey, like my, have a short attention span, and as the 5-star reviews show, they love getting in, being entertained, and getting out.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
With so much interests and pent up knowledge, I thought it was time to see of others shared the same interests and curiosities as me. Seems they do! I started the show in August of 2020 and have not missed a single episode. I will be starting my third season soon. I love speaking with guests on the guest spotlight episodes. I've been told I am a silent storm when it comes to getting information out of them they typically don't share with others. Guest spotlights are some of my favorite episodes. I very much enjoy the 2-way communication.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
Time is valuable to me as it is to most folks, so that's why the format is typically under 15 minutes an episode. It takes about an hour of recording and a few hours of editing to produce one 15 minute show. Working a full time career, I make the time like any other product of passion. I spent my own funds for equipment, software and now hosting. It's a lot cheaper than golfing, let me tell ya!
► What do you gain from podcasting?
Monetarily, I gain nothing. I am not currently advertising on my show. I do, however, promote other's shows. I would like to cover costs someday, but not quite there yet. My audience is growing slow and steady and most importantly, organically with no advertising budget spend.
I love the outlet of free speech and very much enjoy using my gifts to entertain fans all over the globe. This is the main reason why I do the show!
► How does your podcasting process look like?
I host with Buzzsprout, record and edit in Reaper on my Mac Mini M1. I use a Rode Rodecaster Pro interface and my main mic is a Shure SM7B.
For prep, I usually get that in my sleep, wake up and write down my thoughts on the subject. Also, social media cross promotion for guest spotlights is common. For guests I use Zencasr or phone in. However, I prefer seeing them, since it adds a lot to the interview. However, my show is an audio only broadcast in 192KB stereo.
► How do you market your show?
Social Media mostly and word of Mouth. Twitter is my main go-to.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
1. Show content over audio quality (to start)
2. Be true, honest, and yourself. (People can tell when you're faking it)
3. Start for free, using a phone or tablet to record. (see if you can sustain this venture)
4. Use Anchor.FM, a free podcast service from Spotify to start.
This is exactly how I started out! Most importantly, don't worry about your number of listeners, downloads etc. They will come. It takes years. Just be consistent! Don't give up your passion.