Social Media Decoded

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.