Social Media Decoded

Hosted by Michelle Thames

Business Entrepreneurship Education

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Episodes

600

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Social Media Decoded is your go-to podcast for marketing, visibility, and monetization strategies to grow your business online. Hosted by marketing expert Michelle Thames, this show breaks down social media, content marketing, and business growth into actionable steps for entrepreneurs, creators, and brands. Tune in for expert insights, real-world strategies, and inspiring success stories to help you get visible, attract clients, and build a profitable brand. 🎙️✨

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 19, 202622 min

I Lost Clients, Went Back to Creating Content, and Rebuilt My Business

What happens when business slows down, clients leave, and you have to figure out how to become visible again? In this episode of Social Media Decoded , Michelle Thames shares the real story behind her recent business rebuild, her return to content creation, and the visibility strategy that helped create more than 2.1 million video views in roughly 90 days . Michelle breaks down how going back to being a creator changed everything—from local viral content and increased brand visibility to paid partnerships, sponsorship conversations, brand deals, travel opportunities, and new business opportunities. This is not an episode about chasing virality. It is about learning how to become known . Michelle shares what she learned from losing clients, rebuilding her business, creating content without constantly selling, and using social media visibility to create real-world opportunities. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why disappearing during a slow business season can hurt your growth How Michelle generated 2.1M+ video views through organic content Why shares and saves can matter more than vanity metrics How local content helped create brand deals and paid opportunities Why every piece of content does not need to sell an offer The difference between going viral and becoming known How strong positioning turns visibility into business opportunities Why your existing skills may be the key to your next business chapter How to use social media content to create leverage when pitching brands What to do when you are rebuilding your business and questioning your next move Key Takeaway The strategy is not going viral. The strategy is becoming known. When people understand who you are, what you do, and what you should be known for, visibility can lead to referrals, brand partnerships, clients, speaking opportunities, collaborations, and revenue. Mentioned in This Episode Michelle shares recent social media results including: 2.1M+ video views 28K+ shares 17K+ saves Multiple videos reaching more than 100K views Paid brand and business collaborations Sponsorship opportunities Travel and hospitality partnerships Increased local visibility and recognition Your Visibility Homework Ask yourself: What do I want people to know me for? Then look at your content and ask whether your current social media presence reinforces that message. If not, that may be the visibility gap holding your brand back. Work With Michelle If you are posting consistently but your social media presence is not creating opportunities, Michelle’s Visibility Audit can help you identify what is unclear, what is hurting your positioning, and where you should focus next. Find the Visibility Audit and additional resources in the links associated with this episode. Connect With Michelle Follow Michelle Thames for more on: Social media marketing Content creation Personal branding Visibility strategy Brand partnerships Entrepreneurship Local marketing Creator strategy Building a recognizable brand Subscribe to Social Media Decoded on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you never miss an episode. If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with an entrepreneur who is rebuilding, pivoting, or ready to become more visible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 10, 202617 min

Why My Hidden Gem Videos Actually Work (It’s Not the Food)

Why do some local business videos generate thousands of views, shares, comments, and real customers while others barely get noticed? In this episode of Social Media Decoded , Michelle Thames breaks down the strategy behind her viral Hidden Gem videos and explains why their success has very little to do with food. From storytelling and curiosity to local pride, community sharing, strong hooks, and audience trust, Michelle reveals what actually makes people stop scrolling, pay attention, and take action. More importantly, this episode isn't just for restaurants or local businesses. Michelle explains how entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants, creators, and service providers can use the same principles to build authority and become known for their expertise. Because going viral isn't the strategy. Becoming known is. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why curiosity is one of the most powerful tools in content marketing How Michelle creates hooks that make people stop scrolling Why storytelling works better than constantly promoting your business How local pride helps content generate organic shares and conversations Why the business owner—not the creator—should be the hero of the story How years of audience trust impact content performance The difference between getting views and generating real customer action How to turn one piece of content into part of a larger visibility ecosystem Why documenting your expertise builds more authority than simply calling yourself an expert How women entrepreneurs over 40 can turn their experience into a visibility advantage Michelle's five-part content framework: Curiosity, Story, Value, Emotion, and Action The Bigger Visibility Lesson You don't need everyone on the internet to know your name. You need the right people to know exactly what to call you for. Instead of constantly asking, "What should I post today?" start asking: What do I want to become known for? Then create content that provides evidence of your expertise. Join the Conversation Michelle wants to hear from you. If you're listening on Spotify, leave a comment answering: What do YOU want to become known for? If you're listening on Apple Podcasts, leave a review and answer the same question. Your response may even inspire a future episode of Social Media Decoded. Ready for Your Visibility Breakthrough? If you're great at what you do but feel like not enough of the right people know about you, Michelle's Visibility Breakthrough Session is designed to help you change that. Together, you'll look at your positioning, expertise, content, current visibility, and opportunities to determine how you can become more recognizable to the people who matter to your business. Send Michelle a DM with the word BREAKTHROUGH to learn more. Key Takeaway Stop saying you're an expert. Start creating evidence. The goal isn't simply to make viral content. The goal is to consistently create content that builds trust, demonstrates your expertise, strengthens relationships, and makes you unforgettable. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 27, 202618 min

Why Email Marketing Still Matters: How to Turn Subscribers Into Customers with Melissa Seideman

Is your email list helping you grow your business—or is it collecting dust? In this episode of Social Media Decoded , Michelle Thames sits down with award-winning email marketing strategist Melissa Seideman to discuss how entrepreneurs can use email marketing to build stronger relationships, increase sales, and create long-term business growth. Melissa shares how one client grew from $8,000 per month to $200,000 per month using strategic email marketing, why you don't need a huge email list to be successful, and the simple welcome sequence every business should have in place. Whether you're just getting started with email marketing or looking to improve your current strategy, this episode is packed with actionable advice for building trust, improving deliverability, and turning subscribers into loyal customers. What You'll Learn Why email marketing is essential for long-term business growth How to turn subscribers into loyal customers Why you don't need a massive email list to generate revenue The welcome email sequence every entrepreneur should have Common email marketing mistakes to avoid How to improve email deliverability Subject line tips that increase open rates Why relationships matter more than algorithms How visibility and email marketing work together Practical ways to nurture your audience after they discover your business Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 20, 20267 min

The Visibility Strategy That Got Me on TV (It Wasn't Luck)

What does it really take to land media opportunities, build a recognizable personal brand, and become the person people think of when opportunities arise? In this episode of Social Media Decoded , Michelle Thames shares the real story behind her recent appearance on WGN Spotlight Chicago and why it had nothing to do with luck. She explains how one relationship that started in 2024, combined with years of consistent visibility and intentional content creation, led to another opportunity on television. If you've ever wondered why some entrepreneurs seem to attract speaking engagements, media appearances, partnerships, and new clients while others struggle to get noticed, this episode will change the way you think about visibility. Michelle also shares how she's shifted from chasing the algorithm to building a complete visibility ecosystem—one that turns content into conversations, conversations into community, and community into clients. In this episode, you'll learn: Why media opportunities are built through relationships, not luck The power of staying visible even when engagement feels low How consistency builds trust and authority over time Why creating an ecosystem is more powerful than growing an Instagram account The real strategy behind Michelle's Hidden Gem videos How to create content from your everyday life instead of chasing trends Why women over 40 have a unique advantage when building a personal brand The mindset shift that helped Michelle become unforgettable Key Takeaways Visibility compounds over time. Relationships open doors that algorithms never can. Authority is earned through consistency, not claimed through titles. Your next opportunity may already be watching—you just have to keep showing up. Ready to Become More Visible? Michelle is launching her new 21-Day Visibility Sprint , designed to help women entrepreneurs stop wondering what to post and start building the kind of visibility that creates real opportunities, partnerships, media appearances, and clients. Send Michelle a DM with the word VISIBLE to learn more. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Social Media Decoded , leave a review, and share it with another entrepreneur who's ready to build a business that doesn't depend on chasing the algorithm. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 19, 20268 min

The Biggest Business Decision I Made This Year (Hint: It Wasn't Social Media)

Have you ever felt like you're doing everything you're "supposed" to do in your business—creating content, growing your audience, chasing the algorithm—but something still feels off? In this episode of Social Media Decoded , Michelle Thames shares the biggest business decision she made this year and why it completely changed the direction of her business. Instead of focusing on creating more content, she made the intentional decision to build community—and it has led to more opportunities, stronger relationships, speaking engagements, partnerships, and meaningful business growth. Michelle takes you behind the scenes of why she's investing in local businesses, hosting Coffee & Connections, organizing intimate networking dinners, and creating Connected & Paid Live. She explains why relationships have become her most valuable marketing strategy and why building a community will always outperform chasing followers. If you're an entrepreneur, content creator, or business owner wondering how to build a brand that lasts, this episode will challenge the way you think about marketing, networking, and business growth. In This Episode You'll Learn: Why building community is more valuable than creating endless content The biggest business decision Michelle made this year How relationships create opportunities that algorithms never can Why local community building has become part of Michelle's business strategy The difference between building an audience and building a community How networking events can become relationship accelerators Why saying "no" creates space for bigger opportunities How to build a business that aligns with your values instead of trends DM Michelle the word "COMMUNITY" on Instagram if this episode resonated with you and share what you're building. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 18, 20268 min

What I'm Really Building: Why I Chose Community Over Content | CEO Diary

Have you ever felt like your business was evolving, but no one understood the vision? In this first CEO Diary episode of Social Media Decoded , I'm taking you behind the scenes of my business to share what I'm really building—and why I've shifted my focus from creating more content to building meaningful community. I talk about why relationships have become my greatest business strategy, how Coffee & Connections, my Hidden Gem series, and Connected & Paid Live all fit together, and why I believe the future belongs to entrepreneurs who create ecosystems instead of chasing algorithms. If you're a business owner, creator, or entrepreneur looking to build a brand that's rooted in connection, visibility, and long-term impact, this episode is for you. In this episode, you'll learn: Why I stopped chasing followers and started building community The difference between creating content and creating connection How networking events became relationship accelerators Why community is the future of business growth How partnerships and sponsorships fit into a long-term brand strategy The vision behind Connected & Paid Live Why every entrepreneur should build a visibility ecosystem instead of relying on one platform If this episode resonates with you, send me a DM on Instagram with the word EVENT to learn more about Connected & Paid Live. Resources Mentioned Connected & Paid Live Coffee, Content & Connections Connected & Paid Collective Connect with Michelle: Instagram: @michellelthames Website: https://michellethames.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 13, 20267 min

Why I Stopped Trying to Build an Audience | The Power of Community Over Followers

What if the goal isn't to build a bigger audience—but to build meaningful relationships? In this episode of Social Media Decoded , Michelle Thames shares the mindset shift that completely changed how she approaches social media, networking, and business growth. After years of chasing followers and viral moments, she realized the real opportunities weren't coming from her follower count—they were coming from the rooms she was creating. From visiting local hidden gems and hosting Coffee & Connections to intimate networking dinners, retreats, and her upcoming Connected & Paid event, Michelle explains why authentic community is becoming the most valuable marketing strategy in today's digital world. If you're an entrepreneur, content creator, coach, or small business owner wondering how to grow your business beyond social media, this episode will inspire you to focus on relationships that lead to collaborations, referrals, sponsorships, and lasting impact. In this episode, you'll learn: Why building community is more valuable than chasing followers How networking events create real business opportunities The difference between building an audience and building relationships Why local visibility can transform your business How to create experiences that turn followers into clients and collaborators Why community builders are the new influencers The marketing strategy that algorithms can't replace Key Takeaway: Followers don't become your sponsors. Followers don't become your collaborators. People do. If this episode inspired you, send Michelle a DM with the word ROOM and share the kind of community you're building. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another entrepreneur who believes relationships are the future of business. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 9, 202635 min

The Hidden Cost of Visibility: Why Your Business Needs Systems Before More Followers

Everyone tells you to get more visible. Post more content. Start the podcast. Book the speaking engagement. Land the collaborations. But what happens after the visibility? In this episode of Social Media Decoded , I'm joined by Annie Mossbacher, Chief Growth Officer at Dubsado , for an honest conversation about what happens when your business starts growing faster than your systems can support. If you've ever felt overwhelmed after signing new clients, struggled to keep up with emails and proposals, or wondered why success suddenly feels exhausting, this episode is for you. We talk about founder burnout, client experience, sustainable growth, and why systems aren't boring—they're freedom. In this episode you'll learn: Why visibility exposes broken business systems The hidden reason founders burn out after growth How to create a client experience people never forget The first system every service provider should implement Why doing everything yourself is costing you money How to stop overdelivering at the expense of your health What sustainable growth actually looks like Why authenticity is becoming your greatest marketing advantage Memorable Quotes "Visibility without systems will burn you out." "Growth isn't about doing more. It's about becoming ruthless with your priorities." "The business you prayed for shouldn't become the business that breaks you." Connect with Annie Instagram: @anniemossbacher Learn more about Dubsado: dubsado .com/?c=michellethames Resources Mentioned Dubsado Client Experience Business Systems Founder Burnout Service-Based Business Growth If You Enjoyed This Episode... Share it with another entrepreneur who is building a business behind the scenes. If this episode helped you rethink how you're growing your business, take 30 seconds to leave a review. Your reviews help more entrepreneurs discover the show. Want to support the podcast? Buy Me a Coffee and help us continue creating free content for entrepreneurs. Follow Michelle: Instagram: @michellelthames Thanks for listening to Social Media Decoded! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 6, 202610 min

My Visibility Stack: The 4 Business Tools I Use Every Week to Grow My Brand

What tools does Michelle Thames actually use to run her business every week? In this episode of Social Media Decoded , Michelle takes you behind the scenes of her visibility stack and shares the four platforms that power her podcast, email marketing, client management, and website. From creating content to automating workflows and building stronger customer relationships, these are the tools she relies on every single day. If you're an entrepreneur looking to simplify your business, save time, and create more opportunities through visibility, this episode is for you. In This Episode Why systems are just as important as visibility How Michelle uses Riverside to turn one recording into weeks of content Why KIT is the foundation of her email marketing strategy How Dubsado automates client onboarding and saves hours every week Why ShinePages is changing the way she thinks about websites and online presence The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make when choosing software How to build a visibility ecosystem instead of relying on social media alone Resources Mentioned Want my complete Visibility Stack? DM TOOLS on Instagram to receive the exact platforms Michelle uses to run her business, along with her favorite resources and affiliate links. Connect with Michelle Instagram: @michellelthames Threads: @michellelthames Website: michellethames.com Love the Show? If this episode helped you, please leave a review and share it with another entrepreneur. Your support helps more business owners discover the podcast and learn how to build a brand that creates real opportunities. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 2, 202610 min

Why Opportunities Keep Finding Me (And How You Can Make Them Find You Too)

What if your next client, speaking engagement, sponsorship, or brand partnership isn’t waiting for another cold pitch—but for you to become more visible? In this episode of Social Media Decoded , Michelle Thames takes you behind the scenes of how her recent local business videos, community events, speaking opportunities, and brand partnerships are creating momentum in her business. She shares why visibility is about so much more than followers and explains how showing up consistently can open doors you never expected. If you’ve been posting consistently but feel like the opportunities just aren’t coming, this episode will change the way you think about your content—and your business. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why visibility creates opportunities long before someone reaches out How Michelle’s viral local business videos led to new conversations and partnerships The mindset shift that’s helping her attract speaking engagements and sponsorship opportunities Why every piece of content should be treated as a business asset How to position yourself so clients, brands, and event organizers think of you first The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make when creating content How Michelle evaluates businesses and spots marketing opportunities everywhere she goes Key Takeaways Opportunities are created long before they’re received. Visibility is an investment—not an expense. Every piece of content is either building trust or being forgotten. The right people can’t hire you if they don’t know you exist. Ready to Become More Visible? Michelle is now offering her $199 Visibility Intensive , a one-on-one strategy session designed to help you identify what’s holding your brand back and create a visibility plan that leads to real opportunities. DM Michelle the word “VISIBLE” on Instagram Connect with Michelle Thames Instagram: @michellelthames Threads: @michellelthames Website: michellethames.com Listen to more episodes of Social Media Decoded for weekly strategies on visibility, personal branding, content marketing, and building a business that attracts opportunities. Love the Show? If this episode inspired you, please leave a review and share it with another entrepreneur. Your support helps more business owners discover the podcast and learn how to build a brand that stands out. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.