PodcastsBusinessSocial Media Decoded

Social Media Decoded

Michelle Thames
Social Media Decoded
Latest episode

687 episodes

  • Social Media Decoded

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

    09/07/2026 | 35 mins.
    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.
  • Social Media Decoded

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

    06/07/2026 | 10 mins.
    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.
  • Social Media Decoded

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

    02/07/2026 | 10 mins.
    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.
  • Social Media Decoded

    Community Is the New Competitive Advantage: Why Relationships Matter More Than Followers

    01/07/2026 | 10 mins.
    Is community the new competitive advantage?

    In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames shares why she’s shifting her focus from simply creating content to intentionally building community. After hosting her intimate Summer in the South Suburbs dinner, responding to hundreds of social media comments, and watching her local business videos spark real-world conversations, she realized something powerful:

    People aren’t starving for more content—they’re starving for connection.

    Michelle shares why authentic relationships are becoming more valuable than algorithms, why networking is evolving into community building, and how creating meaningful spaces can transform your business and your life.

    If you’ve been feeling like you’re building your business alone, this episode is your reminder that the right room, the right conversation, and the right relationships can change everything.

    In This Episode You’ll Learn:

    Why community is becoming the biggest competitive advantage in business

    How Michelle’s viral local content is creating real-world connections

    Why responding to every comment still matters

    The difference between building an audience and building a community

    How relationships lead to referrals, collaborations, and new opportunities

    Why entrepreneurs are craving genuine connection now more than ever

    The vision behind the Connected & Paid Collective and Michelle’s upcoming November event

    Key Takeaways

    Visibility gets people to notice you.

    Community gives them a reason to stay.

    Relationships create opportunities that algorithms never can.

    Business doesn’t have to be built alone.

    Resources & Links

    Join the Connected & Paid Collective

    Send Michelle a DM with the word COMMUNITY on Instagram to learn more.

    Support the Podcast

    Love the show? Support future episodes through Buy Me a Coffee.

    Send Michelle a DM with the word COFFEE for the link, or check the links below.

    Book Michelle for your next event, workshop, or conference:
    https://michellethames.com/contact

    ️ Listen to more episodes:
    https://bleav.com/shows/social-media-decoded/

    Join Michelle’s email community:
    https://michellethames.kit.com/7daychallenge

    Connect with Michelle Thames

    Instagram: @michellelthames

    Threads: @michellelthames

    LinkedIn: Michelle Thames

    Website: https://michellethames.com

    If You Enjoyed This Episode…

    Please leave a review and share this episode with a friend or fellow entrepreneur. Your support helps more people discover the show and allows us to continue creating free content that helps entrepreneurs become more visible, build meaningful relationships, and grow thriving businesses.

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

    Why Most People Are Using AI Wrong (And What I’m Doing Instead)

    24/06/2026 | 7 mins.
    Everyone is talking about AI.

    But most creators, entrepreneurs, and business owners are making one major mistake: they’re asking AI for personalized business advice without giving it access to the information it actually needs.

    In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames breaks down one of the most exciting announcements from the KIT Craft + Commerce conference: MCP (Model Context Protocol) and what it means for creators, marketers, and business owners.

    Don’t worry—this isn’t a technical episode.

    Michelle explains MCP in plain English and shares how connecting tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini directly to your email marketing platform could completely change the way you make business decisions.

    Instead of generic AI answers, imagine getting insights based on your actual audience, subscribers, and business data.

    From identifying your most engaged subscribers to creating smarter email campaigns and automations, this episode explores how AI is becoming more useful, more personalized, and more actionable for creators.

    If you’ve ever wondered how AI can help you grow your audience, email list, and business without feeling overwhelmed by technology, this episode is for you.

    In This Episode

    • What MCP is and why creators should care
    • Why most people are using AI incorrectly
    • How AI becomes more powerful when connected to your business data
    • The difference between generic AI advice and personalized insights
    • Why email marketing still matters in the age of AI
    • How creators can use AI to better understand their audience
    • Why your email list is one of the most valuable assets you own
    • The future of AI-powered marketing for entrepreneurs and creators

    Key Takeaways

    Followers are borrowed. Subscribers are owned.

    Better data leads to better decisions.

    AI isn’t replacing great marketers—it’s helping them make smarter decisions faster.

    The future belongs to creators who own their audience.

    Connect With Michelle

    Instagram: @MichelleLThames

    If this episode was helpful, send Michelle a DM with the word KIT and let her know your biggest takeaway.

    Affiliate Link For KIT: https://partners.kit.com/9agthn08tlmq-mcp
    Resources Mentioned

    • Kit Email Marketing Platform
    • ChatGPT
    • Claude
    • Gemini
    • KIT Craft + Commerce Conference

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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About Social Media Decoded
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. 🎙️✨
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