Social Media Decoded

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames shares her signature content system for growing on Instagram without being glued to your phone. She walks you through how to batch, plan, and repurpose content so you can stay visible and consistent—even with a busy schedule. Learn how to use ChatGPT, automation, and intentional content themes to grow smarter (not harder) and avoid burnout. What You’ll Learn: ✔️ How to build a sustainable weekly Instagram workflow ✔️ The 4-part content system Michelle uses to stay visible in under 90 minutes/week ✔️ The difference between posting constantly and posting strategically ✔️ How to repurpose and automate your content for more reach with less effort ✔️ What metrics to focus on that actually lead to growth and conversions Resources & Links: Grab the Visible & Booked audio course for $17  Start the FREE 7-Day Visibility Audio Challenge  Follow Michelle @michellelthames Support the podcast ☕  Instagram growth strategy, Instagram batching system, social media automation, how to grow without burnout, content repurposing for Instagram, Michelle Thames podcast

In this powerhouse episode of Social Media Decoded, host Michelle Thames sits down with viral sensation and powerhouse momager Kia J. Brooks—the brilliant strategist behind daughter Flau’jae Johnson’s explosive growth in both sports and entertainment. Kia pulls back the curtain on how she generated 42 million views on Facebook in just one month, turned that attention into real revenue, and built a thriving personal and professional brand while managing motherhood, business, and fame. Whether you're a content creator, manager, or entrepreneur looking to turn your platform into profit, this episode delivers real strategy, no fluff. 🎧 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How Kia reached 42M views on Facebook and the exact strategy behind her viral content Tips for monetizing content through platform tools, brand partnerships, and organic growth How she built Flau’jae’s brand from grassroots to global recognition in sports and music Why storytelling and authenticity are key to building a strong digital presence Time management and mindset shifts for mompreneurs and multi-hyphenate women How to protect your peace while managing fame and brand growth online What every creator needs to know about turning attention into income About Kia J. Brooks: Kia J. Brooks is a businesswoman, motivational speaker, digital strategist, and mother of 7—best known as the mom and manager of Flau’jae Johnson, rapper and LSU women’s basketball star. She is the definition of “momager to mogul,” using her experience to help others grow, monetize, and lead with purpose. Connect with Kia: Instagram: @kiajbrooks Facebook: Kia J. Brooks Watch Flau’jae: @flaujae

In this honest and empowering episode, Michelle Thames challenges the idea that multi-passionate entrepreneurs need to "niche down" to succeed. Instead, she explains why clarity—not restriction—is the key to building a powerful brand that converts. Learn how to streamline your message, structure your content, and market your multiple passions without overwhelming your audience. What You’ll Learn: ✔️ Why “picking one niche” isn’t the only path to success ✔️ What causes confusion in your content—and how to fix it ✔️ How to use brand clarity to market multiple offers or ideas ✔️ Michelle’s 3-step framework to create a magnetic, multi-passionate brand ✔️ How to use storytelling and values to connect with your audience Resources & Links: Grab Visible & Booked audio course for $17  Start the FREE 7-Day Visibility Audio Challenge Follow Michelle @michellelthames Buy Michelle a matcha ☕  marketing for multi-passionate entrepreneurs, brand clarity, niche vs clarity, personal branding tips, storytelling in marketing, Michelle Thames podcast

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, host Michelle Thames sits down with Dr. Shadé Y. Adu, award-winning digital brand strategist, international speaker, and bestselling author, to uncover the secrets behind building a magnetic personal brand and launching profitable online courses. Dr. Shadé shares her inspiring journey of starting her business over a decade ago in Kazakhstan, how she scaled it into a global brand, and the exact framework she uses to help women entrepreneurs grow their income, influence, and impact. If you're looking for expert insights on digital branding, online course creation, or how to build a brand that stands out in a crowded online space, this episode is a must-listen! What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Dr. Shadé started her brand in Kazakhstan and scaled it globally The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make in digital branding Her 3-step formula for income, influence, and impact How to create and launch a successful online course—even with a small audience Unique ways to stand out in a saturated digital space Why personal branding is key to building generational wealth Tools, mindset shifts, and strategies for scaling online Connect with Dr. Shadé Y. Adu: 🌐 Website: https://www.shadeyadu.com📸 Instagram: @heydrshade Resources & Mentions: Learn more about Michelle’s free 7-Day Visibility Challenge  Want help launching your podcast? Work with Michelle → email me michelle@michellethames.com Subscribe & Leave a Review: Loved this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us reach more amazing entrepreneurs like you! 🎧 Listen to more episodes of Social Media Decoded 

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames breaks down the three visibility shifts she would make if she were starting her business from scratch in 2025. After 15+ years in marketing and building a multiple six-figure personal brand, Michelle shares the key things she’d do differently to build momentum faster, attract aligned clients, and grow with intention. This episode is packed with strategy, personal examples, and actionable tips for entrepreneurs who are ready to get visible and paid. What You’ll Learn: ✔️ Why building authority early is more powerful than being everywhere ✔️ How to center your brand around ONE power offer to increase clarity and conversions ✔️ Why owning your audience through email is critical in today’s content landscape ✔️ How Michelle uses her $17 offer and free challenge to build a simple visibility funnel ✔️ The exact steps you can take to implement these shifts right now Why This Episode Matters: If you’ve been stuck in the content hustle, struggling to grow your audience or convert views into clients, these three visibility shifts will help you work smarter. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to pivot, this episode will show you how to build a brand that’s known and booked. Resources & Links: Get the Visible & Booked audio course for just $17  Start the FREE 7-Day Visibility Audio Challenge  Support the show by buying Michelle a matcha ☕  Follow Michelle on all platforms @michellelthames

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames sets the record straight—Instagram isn’t dead, but many of the strategies people are still using? Definitely are. From outdated engagement pods to overused hashtags, Michelle breaks down what’s no longer working in 2024 and what you need to do instead to grow organically and turn followers into clients. If you’re tired of spinning your wheels and want to use Instagram strategically, this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn: ✔️ The 3 outdated Instagram strategies you need to stop using immediately ✔️ Why the algorithm no longer rewards certain behaviors (and what to do instead) ✔️ How to use personal branding and storytelling to increase engagement ✔️ The content types that are driving growth and sales on Instagram in 2025 ✔️ Michelle’s go-to resources for consistent, sustainable visibility Why This Episode Matters: Instagram isn’t going anywhere—but the way we use it needs to evolve. This episode gives you a real-time pulse on what’s working right now so you can stop wasting time and start showing up in ways that build your brand and bottom line. Resources & Links: Grab the Visible & Booked audio course for just $17  Start the FREE 7-Day Visibility Audio Bootcamp Follow Michelle on all platforms @michellelthames Support the show by buying Michelle a matcha ☕  Keywords: outdated Instagram strategies 2025, Instagram growth tips, personal branding on Instagram, Michelle Thames podcast, content strategy for Instagram, how to grow organically on Instagram, visibility tips for entrepreneurs

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames shares how she built a six-figure brand without ever going viral. If you're tired of chasing trends, obsessed with views, and wondering why your content isn’t converting—this episode gives you the truth. Michelle unpacks why virality isn’t a real business strategy and shares the three sustainable marketing strategies she used to grow her personal brand, consistently attract clients, and scale with confidence. What You’ll Learn: ✔️ Why going viral isn’t a long-term strategy for business growth ✔️ The three sustainable content strategies that lead to sales ✔️ How to focus on building authority instead of chasing clout ✔️ Why consistency matters more than daily posting ✔️ How community, connection, and value-driven content drive revenue Why It Matters: Virality is unpredictable—but strategy is reliable. If you’re building a brand with intention and want to attract aligned clients, this episode shows you how to grow with purpose instead of pressure. Resources & Links: Buy Michelle a matcha and support the show ☕  Follow Michelle on all social platforms @michellelthames Keywords: social media growth strategy, how to grow on Instagram 2025, sustainable marketing tips, content marketing for entrepreneurs, Michelle Thames podcast, six figure brand, personal branding tips, grow without going viral Hashtags: #SocialMediaStrategy #PersonalBranding #MarketingForEntrepreneurs #ContentThatConverts #MichelleThamesPodcast #SustainableGrowth

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames reveals her step-by-step method for batching a week’s worth of content in under 90 minutes. If you’re overwhelmed by content creation or constantly feel behind, Michelle shares the exact system she uses—including how she leverages ChatGPT—to save time, reduce stress, and stay visible across platforms. This episode is packed with practical tips, time-saving hacks, and content planning advice for busy entrepreneurs who want to market smarter, not harder. What You’ll Learn: ✔️ Michelle’s 4-step batching process to create content quickly and efficiently ✔️ How to use ChatGPT to write captions, brainstorm ideas, and stay consistent ✔️ The types of content to focus on each week to increase visibility and sales ✔️ How batching helps prevent burnout and improves strategy ✔️ The tools and templates Michelle uses to simplify her workflow Why This Episode Matters: You don’t need to be glued to your phone 24/7 to grow your brand. Learn how to create high-impact content in less time so you can show up consistently and free up space to focus on revenue-generating activities. Resources & Links: Buy Michelle a matcha and support the podcast ☕ Follow Michelle on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube @michellelthames Keywords: content batching for entrepreneurs, time-saving content strategy, how to use ChatGPT for content creation, weekly content planning, Instagram batching tips, content workflow for business owners, Michelle Thames podcast Hashtags: #ContentBatching #ContentStrategy #EntrepreneurMarketing #ChatGPTForBusiness #MichelleThamesPodcast #SocialMediaDecoded

In this powerful episode of Social Media Decoded, host Michelle Thames sits down with Tania Haladner, Chief Marketing Officer of the Chicago Sky (WNBA), to talk all things women’s sports marketing, fan engagement, and brand building. Tania shares what it takes to lead the marketing efforts for one of the WNBA’s top franchises and why now is the time for brands to invest in women’s sports. From storytelling strategies to community growth and digital innovation, Tania breaks down how the Chicago Sky is building a loyal fanbase both online and off. If you're a marketer, entrepreneur, brand strategist—or just someone who believes in the power of sports to drive culture—you don’t want to miss this episode. In This Episode, We Cover: Why women’s sports are seeing a massive rise in attention and media coverage The WNBA's marketing strategies that are helping it grow faster than ever How to use storytelling and digital marketing to build community around a brand The unique challenges and opportunities of marketing a professional sports team What every brand can learn from the Chicago Sky’s marketing playbook How to attract brand partnerships and connect with the next generation of fans The future of sports marketing and where digital platforms play a role About Tania Haladner: Tania is the Chief Marketing Officer of the Chicago Sky and a seasoned brand strategist who previously held senior roles at PepsiCo, leading marketing efforts for brands like Quaker and Tropicana. She brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role in growing the visibility and impact of women’s basketball. 📲 Connect with Tania & the Chicago Sky: Website: https://sky.wnba.com Instagram: @chicagosky Follow Tania: @taniah231110 ----------------------------------------- women’s sports marketing WNBA brand strategy Chicago Sky fan engagement how to market a sports team marketing women’s basketball building community in sports WNBA digital marketing strategy sports marketing podcast women in sports business sports brand storytelling 🎙️ Subscribe to Social Media Decoded and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help others discover these impactful conversations. #ChicagoSky #WNBA #SportsMarketing #WomensSports #SocialMediaDecoded #BrandStrategy

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames reveals her exact $17 strategy for getting consistent visibility online—without burning out or going viral. If you're tired of posting aimlessly, struggling to grow your audience, or unsure how to show up strategically, this episode breaks it all down. Michelle shares the behind-the-scenes of her plug-and-play visibility system, the core framework inside her audio course Visible & Booked, and how entrepreneurs can finally stop guessing and start attracting the right clients. What You’ll Learn: ✔️ Why visibility matters more than virality in 2025 ✔️ The 3 key components of Michelle's $17 strategy ✔️ How to create content that converts with clarity and purpose ✔️ Simple daily actions to attract aligned clients consistently ✔️ Why Visible & Booked is the no-fluff resource every business owner needs Why This Episode Matters: You don’t need to post more—you need to post smarter. This episode gives you the mindset shift and strategy needed to finally become visible and booked, using a system that’s affordable, accessible, and actually effective. Resources & Links: Grab the Visible & Booked audio course for just $17 HERE Support the podcast & buy Michelle a matcha ☕  Follow Michelle on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn & YouTube @michellelthames