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.

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.

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.

Find the Visibility Audit and additional resources in the links associated with this episode.

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

DM Michelle the word "COMMUNITY" on Instagram if this episode resonated with you and share what you're building.

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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.

If this episode resonates with you, send me a DM on Instagram with the word EVENT to learn more about Connected & Paid Live.

Connect with Michelle:

Instagram: @michellelthames

Website: https://michellethames.com

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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.

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.

Everyone tells you to get more visible.

Post more content.

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.

Learn more about Dubsado: dubsado.com/?c=michellethames

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.

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Buy Me a Coffee and help us continue creating free content for entrepreneurs.

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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.

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.

Instagram: @michellelthames

Threads: @michellelthames

Website: michellethames.com

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.

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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.

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.

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 

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.

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.