Social Media Decoded

Social Media Decoded

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Social Media Decoded episodes

  • The Only Marketing Strategy That Works in Every Season of Business

    In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames shares her signature perspective on the only marketing strategy that works no matter the season of business. She explains why platforms change but systems don’t, why visibility needs a digital home you own, and how consistency compounds when your marketing is built on clarity instead of chaos.

    This episode prepares listeners to rethink visibility, build sustainable systems, and understand why having a digital home is essential for long-term growth.

    Topics Covered
    • Why platforms change but systems last
    • The danger of building on rented digital space
    • Why visibility without a home doesn’t convert
    • The role of digital ownership in marketing
    • Why link-in-bio chaos hurts conversion
    • How consistency compounds over time
    • Why ShinePages supports sustainable visibility
    • Building marketing systems that last

      Key Takeaways
      • Systems outlast platforms
      • Visibility must point somewhere intentional
      • A digital home creates trust and clarity
      • Consistency compounds when strategy is clear
      • Marketing should feel supportive, not exhausting

        Resources Mentioned
        • ShinePages Webinar – Build a digital home that converts https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1975893910877?aff=oddtdtcreator

        • VIP Visibility Days – Personalized strategy and system building https://michellethames.com/store/vip-day-with-michelle

          Connect With Michelle Thames
          • Instagram: @michellelthames

          • LinkedIn: Michelle Thames

          • Website: https://michellelthames.com

            For speaking, consulting, or partnerships:
            [email protected]


            Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

            5 min
          • What I Learned After Managing 50+ Creators on Campaigns

            In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames shares behind-the-scenes insights from managing campaigns with over 50 creators. She breaks down what brands actually care about, why professionalism and systems matter more than follower count, and how creators can position themselves for long-term opportunities instead of one-off deals.

            This episode offers transparency for creators, entrepreneurs, and marketers who want to understand the real expectations behind influencer campaigns and build sustainable visibility in the digital space.

            Topics Covered in This Episode
            • What managing 50+ creators taught Michelle about influencer marketing
            • The biggest misconceptions creators have about brand deals
            • What brands really look for beyond follower count
            • Why professionalism matters more than virality
            • Where creators lose opportunities without realizing it
            • The role of communication and systems in campaign success
            • Why long-term brand relationships outperform one-off deals
            • How creators can position themselves as strategic partners

              Key Takeaways
              • Follower count alone doesn’t secure long-term opportunities
              • Brands value reliability, communication, and clarity
              • Systems protect your reputation and income
              • Community-led creators build stronger relationships
              • Professionalism creates longevity in the creator economy

                Resources Mentioned
                • VIP Visibility Days – One-on-one strategy sessions to build professional positioning
                • The Visibility & Clarity Kit – A foundational roadmap for visibility and alignment

                  Connect With Michelle Thames
                  • Instagram: @michellelthames
                  • LinkedIn: Michelle Thames
                  • Threads: @michellelthames
                  • Website: https://michellelthames.com

                    For brand partnerships, consulting, or speaking inquiries:
                    [email protected]


                    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

                    4 min
                  • Let’s Talk Receipts: What 15 Years as a Creator Taught Me About Longevity

                    In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames delivers an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about what it really takes to build longevity as a creator, entrepreneur, and marketing strategist.

                    After 15 years in the digital space, Michelle pulls back the curtain on the realities most people don’t talk about — including platform shifts, burnout seasons, client droughts, moments she almost quit, and the mindset and systems that allowed her to keep going.

                    This episode isn’t about trends or quick wins. It’s about staying power, evolution, boundaries, and building a visibility strategy rooted in clarity and community. If you’re tired of chasing algorithms and want to create a business that lasts beyond viral moments, this conversation will shift how you think about visibility and success.

                    Topics Covered in This Episode
                    • What longevity actually looks like after 15 years as a creator
                    • The parts of the creator journey people don’t see
                    • Times Michelle almost quit — and why she didn’t
                    • Why trends don’t create sustainable success
                    • The difference between virality and longevity
                    • How systems protect your business during hard seasons
                    • Why community matters more than clout
                    • The role of boundaries in preventing burnout
                    • Why evolution is required to stay relevant
                    • What Michelle wishes she had earlier in her career
                    • How to build visibility for the long game

                      Key Takeaways
                      • Longevity is built through systems, not trends
                      • Community is the foundation of sustainable visibility
                      • Boundaries are essential for long-term success
                      • Evolution is necessary at every stage of growth
                      • Clarity creates confidence, consistency, and momentum
                      • Building for the long game leads to alignment and ease

                        Resources Mentioned in This Episode
                        • The Visibility & Clarity Kit – A strategic roadmap for creators and entrepreneurs building sustainable visibility

                        • Michelle’s In-Person Retreat – A community-centered experience for women focused on long-term growth and clarity

                        • VIP Visibility Days – One-on-one strategy sessions designed to build systems, confidence, and momentum

                          Who This Episode Is For
                          • Creators who want long-term careers, not short-term attention
                          • Entrepreneurs feeling burned out or stuck
                          • Coaches, consultants, and service providers building personal brands
                          • Marketing professionals navigating platform changes
                          • Anyone tired of chasing trends and ready to build with intention

                            Connect With Michelle Thames

                            Follow Michelle for ongoing conversations about visibility, community-led marketing, and personal brand strategy:

                            • Instagram: @michellelthames
                            • LinkedIn: Michelle Thames
                            • Threads: @michellelthames
                            • Website: https://michellelthames.com

                              For speaking engagements, consulting, partnerships, or media inquiries:
                              [email protected]

                              Subscribe & Share

                              If this episode resonated with you, be sure to subscribe to Social Media Decoded and share it with someone who’s building for the long game. Your support helps this community grow.


                              Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

                              4 min
                            • Last-Minute Visibility Pep Talk Before You Hit “Go Live

                              In this episode, Michelle covers:
                              • The mindset shift every creator needs before going live
                              • Why you’re more ready than you think
                              • How visibility is built through connection, not perfection
                              • What to remember when anxiety or doubt starts creeping in
                              • The power of showing up even when you feel unprepared
                              • Why community-led visibility matters in 2026
                              • How to emotionally prepare for today’s live webinar or future events

                              Thanks for listening!
                              • Join today’s Personal Brand Webinar OR grab the replay https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1975053600486?aff=oddtdtcreator
                              • Apply for a VIP Visibility Day


                              Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

                              4 min
                            • Why 2026 Is the Year of Building Community (Not Just Content)

                              In this episode, Michelle covers:
                              • Why content-only strategies will fail in 2026
                              • The rise of community-led marketing
                              • How trust + relationships outperform reach
                              • Why referrals and retention matter more than followers
                              • The difference between content and community
                              • How Michelle built community into her entire business
                              • The 5 things you must implement before 2026
                              • Why your digital home matters more than ever
                              • How to prepare for visibility that SELLS

                              Links mentioned: 
                              • Apply for the 2026 Retreat: https://michellethames.com/retreats
                              • Join She Connects (Dec 18) https://www.addevent.com/event/2wn2bvn341ys
                              • Save your seat for next week’s ShinePages Webinar https://www.addevent.com/event/p4fcht5x0dr5
                              • Visit Michelle’s event page to see all December events https://www.addevent.com/calendar/fR847482


                              Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

                              7 min
                            • I Spent 16 Years in Marketing — Here’s What I’d Do If I Was Starting Over in 2026

                              In this episode, Michelle covers:
                              • Why 2026 requires a new marketing mindset
                              • The #1 thing she would rebuild FIRST
                              • Why community matters more than content
                              • How to pick the right platform to master
                              • The overlooked power of personal storytelling
                              • Why getting strategic help sooner changes everything
                              • How to plan for visibility that converts
                              • Why 2026 is the year to stop playing small

                              Apply for the 2026 Retreat + Book a VIP Day for Q1. https://michellethames.com/retreats


                              Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

                              6 min
                            • How We Took a Dead Account and Grew It by 18K Views in 30 Days

                              In this episode, Michelle Thames shares a behind-the-scenes case study on how her team revived a “dead” Instagram account and grew it by 18,000 views in 30 days using a strategic visibility system. Learn the exact content pillars, audience insights, and engagement rhythms that turned the account around — without relying on trends, hacks, or burnout. Perfect for creators, coaches, and entrepreneurs ready to scale their visibility in 2026.

                              Key Topics Covered:
                              • Why most “dead accounts” aren’t dead — they lack strategy
                              • The 3 content pillars that grew the account
                              • How audience insight drives visibility and engagement
                              • The daily engagement rhythm that changed everything
                              • How to create content that builds authority AND community
                              • Real performance metrics: 18K views, 950 interactions, 67 followers
                              • Why consistency without clarity doesn’t convert
                              • What entrepreneurs must shift going into 2026

                                SEO Keywords:
                                • Instagram growth strategy
                                • revive dead social media account
                                • increase views on Instagram
                                • visibility strategy for entrepreneurs
                                • content pillars for creators
                                • community-led marketing
                                • how to grow engagement on Instagram
                                • personal branding for 2026
                                • VIP visibility day Michelle Thames
                                • social media case study

                                  Resources Mentioned:

                                  Book a VIP Visibility Day
                                  Get Michelle’s brain on your brand and walk away with a full visibility system.
                                  https://michellethames.com/store/vip-day-with-michelle

                                  Personal Brand Webinar — This Friday
                                  Learn the 2026 visibility framework to grow your brand with clarity and confidence.
                                  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-purpose-driven-personal-brand-workshop-tickets-1975053600486?aff=oddtdtcreator

                                  Connect With Michelle:

                                  Instagram: @michellelthames
                                  Podcast: Social Media Decoded
                                  Agency Website: www.thamesmediasolutions.com


                                  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

                                  7 min
                                • How to Use LinkedIn to Attract Clients, Build Authority & Monetize Your Expertise with LinkedIn Strategist Mollie Lo

                                  If you’ve been sleeping on LinkedIn, this episode will wake you up. Today, LinkedIn Strategist Mollie Lo joins Michelle to reveal the exact steps entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants, and service providers can take to transform LinkedIn into a high-converting visibility and client-attraction platform.

                                  Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

                                  ️ Why LinkedIn is no longer “just a job search site”

                                  LinkedIn is aggressively expanding into the B2B creator and entrepreneur economy — which means massive organic reach, fewer ads, and a huge opportunity for visibility.

                                  ️ The profile updates that instantly increase your credibility

                                  Mollie breaks down how to optimize your headline, Service Marketplace, and even your name pronunciation feature to convert more profile views into clients. (YES — she uses that audio space to sell!)

                                  ️ What to post on LinkedIn to get clients (not just likes)

                                  Learn what content categories LinkedIn’s algorithm is boosting right now — including newsletters, vertical video, polls, and PDF carousels that position you as a thought leader.

                                  ️ Mollie’s “Attraction Marketing Framework” for LinkedIn

                                  Post quality over quantity. Your content should magnetize the right clients and repel the wrong ones through storytelling, authenticity, and conviction-based messaging.

                                  ️ How to start sales conversations WITHOUT sounding spammy

                                  Mollie shares her inbound + outbound prospecting method, including the search “loophole” she uses to find ideal clients without triggering LinkedIn’s restrictions. Her approach: “Make the conversation about them, not you.”

                                  ️ The #1 action step that will move your LinkedIn forward today

                                  A simple 15-minute prospecting routine that changed her business — and can change yours too.

                                  LinkedIn marketing, LinkedIn strategy for entrepreneurs, LinkedIn visibility tips, how to get clients on LinkedIn, LinkedIn for coaches, B2B marketing LinkedIn, LinkedIn content strategy, LinkedIn profile optimization, LinkedIn prospecting tips, social selling, LinkedIn engagement 2025.


                                  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

                                  25 min
                                • 600 Podcast Episodes Later: What I Learned About Visibility, Consistency & Online Success

                                  Today I’m celebrating a massive milestone — 600 podcast episodes.

                                  Most podcasts never make it past Episode 10, but this show has turned into a global visibility engine, and in this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what I learned along the way.

                                  If you’re a content creator, entrepreneur, or coach who wants to grow your audience and build authority online, this episode is your roadmap.

                                  In this episode, you’ll learn:
                                  • Why consistency matters more than motivation
                                  • How showing up—especially when no one is clapping—builds long-term success
                                  • What I got wrong when I started podcasting
                                  • Why most podcasters quit before they ever see results
                                  • How 600 episodes changed my life, my business, and my brand
                                  • The mindset required to stay visible in a noisy online world
                                  • My biggest piece of advice for anyone wanting to start a podcast in 2026

                                    Why this milestone matters

                                    Hitting 600 episodes wasn’t about perfection—it was about commitment.

                                    This show has opened doors to paid speaking gigs, brand partnerships, new clients, and opportunities I never imagined.

                                    And it all happened from making the decision to KEEP going.

                                    If you’ve been waiting for a sign to start your podcast…

                                    This is it.

                                    If you want to launch a podcast without the overwhelm, I’m opening a few Done-For-You Podcast Launch & Management spots for January.

                                    We handle everything:

                                    • Podcast strategy
                                    • Naming + branding
                                    • Cover art
                                    • Episode editing
                                    • Show notes
                                    • Platform distribution
                                    • Launch plan
                                    • 4 fully produced episodes

                                      You record.

                                      We do the rest.

                                      DM me “PODCAST” on Instagram (@michellelthames) or click the link in the show notes for details.


                                      Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

                                      5 min
                                    • How to Know When You’re Ready to Host Your First Event

                                      In this episode, Michelle Thames teaches you how to confidently host your first event and identify the signs that you’re ready to step into leadership. Whether you're planning a workshop, webinar, meetup, retreat, or in-person community gathering, this episode walks you through the mindset shifts, purpose clarity, and simple planning steps needed to get started. Michelle also shares the story of her very first event and how it became a pivotal moment in her business and visibility journey.

                                      If you’re a coach, creator, service provider, or multi-passionate entrepreneur who feels called to gather people, build community, and lead with purpose, this episode will help you know exactly when and how to take the leap.

                                      ️ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
                                      • How to know if you’re ready to host your first event
                                      • Why events are one of the fastest ways to grow your visibility in 2026
                                      • How Michelle’s first event transformed her business
                                      • The 3-step (Purpose → Plan → Promotion) event readiness checklist
                                      • How events create trust, authority, and deeper community
                                      • Why you don’t need a big budget or fancy venue to get started
                                      • The mindset shift required to confidently lead your own room
                                      • How events tie into your overall personal brand and visibility strategy

                                        ️ Keywords / SEO Tags:

                                        how to host your first event, event marketing for entrepreneurs, beginner event planning, personal brand events, visibility strategies 2026, how to grow your audience with events, community-building events, hosting workshops online, in-person events for coaches, marketing events for creators, how to lead your first workshop, event readiness checklist, event planning tips for beginners

                                        ️ Key Topics Covered:

                                        • Michelle’s first-event story and what she learned
                                        • Emotional + strategic signs you’re ready to lead an event
                                        • The Purpose → Plan → Promotion framework
                                        • Event confidence tips for new hosts
                                        • The power of small rooms, intimate gatherings, and micro-events
                                        • How events fit into your visibility ecosystem
                                        • Why events accelerate trust faster than any other content
                                        • How to use events to attract aligned clients and opportunities

                                        ️ Call to Action:

                                        • Want help planning your first event? DM EVENTS on Instagram.
                                        • Need clarity for your 2026 visibility? DM KIT for your Visibility & Clarity Kit.
                                        • Come to Michelle’s upcoming events: Open House, Purpose-Driven Personal Brand Workshop, and Build Your 2026 Digital Home. Check out Michelle's events here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/thames-media-co-30052428668


                                        Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

                                        3 min

                                      About Social Media Decoded

                                      From the publisher's feed

                                      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…

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