Podcast
Social Media Decoded
Hosted by Michelle Thames · EN
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. 🎙️✨
243episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
What Makes Brands People Remember | Behind the Brand with Jayanta Jenkins
4d ago00:25:30Summary readyWhat really makes a brand unforgettable? In this special Behind the Brand episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle sits down with Jayanta Jenkins, Former Vice President of Global Creative at Starbucks, to unpack what it takes to build one of the most recognizable brands in the world. With over 25 years of experience in advertising, marketing, and creative leadership, Jayanta shares what it takes to build culture-defining brands, lead global creative teams, and balance storytelling with business goals. From his early inspiration at museums in Washington D.C. to leading creative at brands like Starbucks and Disney, this conversation is packed with insights for entrepreneurs, marketers, creatives, and business leaders. Michelle and Jayanta discuss why branding is more than aesthetics, how creativity drives business results, the role of leadership in scaling impact, and why the best brands create emotional connection, not just visibility. They also dive into marketing trends, brand strategy, consumer psychology, AI, culture, and what separates brands people notice from brands people remember. If you’re building a personal brand, growing a business, leading a team, or trying to better understand marketing in today’s world, this episode is for you. In This Episode, We Talk About: What it really means to lead creative at Starbucks How iconic brands build emotional connection The difference between visibility and cultural relevance Creativity vs. business performance and why both matter Leadership lessons from managing global creative teams Why storytelling is still the foundation of great marketing The future of branding and creativity in the AI era What entrepreneurs can learn from billion-dollar brands How great brands drive conversation and customer loyalty Connect With Jayanta: LinkedIn: Jayanta JenkinsPortfolio: Jayanta.com Resources Mentioned: Starbucks branding and creative strategy Consumer psychology in marketing Brand storytelling and emotional connection Creative leadership and team building Loved This Episode? If this episode helped you think bigger about branding, visibility, creativity, or leadership, screenshot the episode, share it on Instagram, and tag Michelle! Your reviews help Social Media Decoded reach more entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders ready to grow their visibility and impact. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryHow To Stay Visible Even When Life Gets Busy
5d ago00:08:46Summary readySummer is here, the kids are home, schedules are changing, and business still has to move. So how do you stay visible online when life gets… life-y? In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle is talking about what it really looks like to stay consistent in your visibility without burning yourself out. Whether you're a mom, entrepreneur, working full-time, or simply trying to juggle all the things, this episode will help you create a visibility plan that actually fits your real life. You do not need to post all day. You do not need to disappear. You just need a sustainable strategy. Michelle shares simple ways to stay visible during busy seasons, how to stop putting pressure on yourself, and what she’s personally doing this summer to stay consistent without overwhelm. If you've ever felt like life got busy and suddenly you disappeared online, this episode is for you. DM VISIBLE on Instagram @michellelthames to learn about the 7-Day Visibility Reset. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryThe Visibility System I’d Build If I Had 30 Days
2w ago00:07:15Summary readyIf Michelle Thames had to rebuild her brand from scratch in the next 30 days, this is exactly what she would do. In today’s episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle breaks down the visibility system she’d build to grow an audience, attract opportunities, and create momentum online without burning out or posting randomly. If you’ve been overwhelmed trying to show up consistently on social media, grow your audience, or figure out what actually works, this episode gives you a simple framework to focus on what matters most. Michelle shares how to build a visibility strategy that creates trust, authority, relationships, and opportunities — not just more content. In this episode, Michelle covers: • How to simplify your visibility strategy in 30 days • Why random posting is keeping entrepreneurs stuck • The importance of having one clear message online • How to choose the right social media platform for growth • Why relationship building matters more than follower count • The visibility system every entrepreneur needs • How to create a clear next step for your audience • Why social media is borrowed land and email marketing matters • The difference between content and building an ecosystem Whether you’re a coach, entrepreneur, content creator, speaker, or personal brand, this episode will help you stop overthinking visibility and start building a system that actually creates opportunities. Connect with Michelle Thames: Instagram: @michellelthames Podcast: 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.
Summary100K Views in 7 Days… But That Wasn’t the Real Flex
2w ago00:06:08Summary ready100,000+ views in 7 days. 65,000 people reached. Thousands of likes, comments, shares, and saves. But let me tell you something… That wasn’t the flex. In today’s episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames breaks down the truth about going viral, social media visibility, and why content without strategy can leave entrepreneurs stuck chasing vanity metrics. If your content suddenly blew up tomorrow, would you actually be ready? Michelle shares what happened after one of her reels gained major traction, including brand visibility, relationship building, and unexpected opportunities that came from leveraging visibility the right way. She also explains why entrepreneurs need more than content — they need a visibility ecosystem. If you’re building a personal brand, growing a business online, or trying to attract more clients through social media marketing, this episode is your reminder that visibility alone isn’t enough. You need a strategy behind the attention. In this episode, Michelle covers: • Why going viral doesn’t automatically grow your business • The difference between vanity metrics and meaningful visibility • What happened after her reel gained 100K+ views • How social media visibility creates opportunities, partnerships, and trust • Why entrepreneurs need a content ecosystem, not random posting • 3 things to do after your content gets attention online • How to turn visibility into business growth Whether you're a coach, content creator, entrepreneur, speaker, or personal brand, this episode will help you rethink how you approach social media and online visibility. Connect with Michelle Thames: Instagram: @michellelthames Podcast: Social Media Decoded Website: www.michellethames.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryHow I Turn Threads Into Clients, Rooms, and Revenue
2w ago00:06:23Summary readyIn this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames shares how she’s using Threads to build authority, create opportunities, grow relationships, attract clients, fill rooms, and generate revenue through conversation-driven visibility. This is not about going viral. It’s about becoming recognizable online. Michelle breaks down how entrepreneurs can stop treating Threads like just another content platform and start using it strategically to build community, relationships, speaking opportunities, collaborations, podcast connections, events, and real business growth. If you’ve been wondering how to turn visibility into actual opportunities, this episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at how Michelle approaches Threads differently from most entrepreneurs online. Inside this episode: • How Michelle uses Threads for authority building • Why conversations create more opportunities than content alone • Using Threads to attract clients and collaborations • How visibility leads to speaking opportunities and events • Building relationships through social media • Why entrepreneurs need conversation-driven marketing • The difference between attention and authority • How to become recognizable online • Why community and connection matter in business growth This episode is perfect for entrepreneurs, creators, coaches, consultants, speakers, podcasters, founders, and personal brands who want to use Threads strategically for visibility, networking, and business growth. If this episode resonated with you, DM Michelle the word THREADS on Instagram to learn more about her Threads visibility strategy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryWhy Most People Are Using Threads Wrong
3w ago00:06:49Summary readyIn this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames breaks down why most entrepreneurs are using Threads the wrong way and missing out on real visibility, authority, conversations, and opportunities online. Threads is not just another social media app to post content and disappear. Michelle shares why the platform rewards conversation, relationship-building, personality, and perspective over polished content and w hy entrepreneurs who understand this shift are building authority faster than ever. If you’ve been struggling to grow on Threads, wondering how to stand out online, or trying to build a personal brand that actually leads to opportunities, this episode is for you. Inside this episode: • Why Threads is different from Instagram and LinkedIn • The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make on Threads • How conversations build authority online • Why visibility without connection is not enough • How Michelle uses Threads for opportunities and networking • The difference between posting content and building relationships • Why recognizable brands win online • How entrepreneurs can use Threads to grow their audience and influence This episode is perfect for creators, founders, coaches, consultants, speakers, podcasters, and entrepreneurs who want to grow their visibility and authority online through authentic connection and conversation. If this episode resonated with you, DM Michelle the word THREADS on Instagram to learn more about her Threads strategy and visibility approach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryWhy I’m Hosting a Conference in November (And Why Curated Rooms Matter More Than Ever)
3w ago00:06:35Summary readyIn this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames shares the real reason she’s hosting her November conference and why curated rooms, intentional networking, and community-driven visibility matter more than ever in today’s online world. This is not just another entrepreneurship event. Michelle opens up about what’s missing from many business conferences today, why surface-level networking is no longer enough, and how real opportunities come from relationships, conversations, collaboration, and community. If you’ve been feeling disconnected while building your business online, this episode will remind you why proximity, visibility, and aligned rooms can completely change your entrepreneurial journey. Inside this episode: • Why curated rooms create real opportunities • The problem with surface-level networking • Why entrepreneurs need community now more than ever • How visibility leads to collaboration and business growth • The vision behind Michelle’s November conference • Why intentional networking changes everything • Building ecosystems instead of just creating content • The power of relationships in entrepreneurship This episode is for women entrepreneurs, creators, founders, community builders, coaches, and service providers who are ready to grow through meaningful relationships, visibility, and collaboration. If this episode resonated with you, DM Michelle the word EVENT to join the waitlist for the November conference. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryHow to Turn Conversations Into Clients Using DMs | Behind the Brand with Manychat
3w ago00:33:11Summary readyMost entrepreneurs don’t have a visibility problem—they have a conversion problem. In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames sits down with Mady Lanni (PR + Comms) and Sarah Gavilla (Social Media Manager) from Manychat to talk about what’s actually working right now in social media marketing, DM strategy, and audience conversion. If you’ve been posting consistently but struggling to turn followers into clients, this conversation breaks down how brands are using conversations, automation, and relationship-building to create real results. In this episode, we cover: • why content alone isn’t enough anymore• how DMs are becoming a powerful sales channel• what makes people actually respond online• how creators can stand out for partnerships and speaking opportunities• where entrepreneurs are leaving money on the table• and how to build a system that converts attention into revenue Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, coach, or brand builder, this episode will help you rethink the way you approach visibility online. Connect with Mady: https://www.instagram.com/theprgirlie/Connect with Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahgav.social/ Connect with Michelle:Instagram: @michellelthamesPodcast: Social Media Decoded #SocialMediaMarketing #Manychat #DigitalMarketing #DMStrategy #PersonalBranding #ContentMarketing Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryWhat I Learned From PowerTable Live (And What I’m Changing)
4w ago00:05:02Summary readyWhat actually changes when you get in the right room? In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames breaks down what she experienced at PowerTable Live—and why it’s changing how she approaches visibility, content, and business growth. She shares why most entrepreneurs are stuck in content-level thinking, what high-level conversations really sound like, and how proximity to the right people can unlock opportunities, collaborations, and clients. If you’ve been posting consistently but not seeing results, this episode will help you understand what’s actually missing. What You’ll Learn • Why content alone doesn’t grow your business • The importance of proximity and being in the right rooms • How better conversations lead to better opportunities • What high-level entrepreneurs are focusing on right now • What to change if your business feels stuck Visibility Breakdown Content → Conversation → Room → Opportunity → Client Unpopular Truth You don’t need more content. You need better conversations. Call to Action DM RESET to learn how to build a visibility system that actually converts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
SummaryThe Visibility Gap: Why People See You But Don’t Buy
Apr 3000:06:58Summary readyYou’re posting. You’re showing up. People are watching. But they’re not buying. So what’s missing? In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames breaks down what she calls the visibility gap—the space between being seen online and actually converting that visibility into clients. She shares why engagement doesn’t equal revenue, the real reasons your audience isn’t taking action, and how to fix the disconnect between your content and your offers. If you’ve been feeling stuck, inconsistent, or unsure why your content isn’t turning into income, this episode will help you identify exactly what’s missing and what to do next. What You’ll Learn in This Episode • Why visibility alone doesn’t lead to sales• The difference between engagement and conversion• The real reasons people aren’t buying from you• How unclear offers and weak messaging impact your results• Why most entrepreneurs don’t have a conversion system• How to build a pathway from content to clients Visibility Breakdown Michelle explains the gap between visibility and revenue: Content → Attention → (Gap) → Conversion → Client Most entrepreneurs are missing the structure needed to move people from attention to action. ️ Unpopular Truth Visibility without a system is just noise. Spotify Listener Question Be honest—right now, are you: • Getting views but no sales• Not sure what your offer really is• Posting consistently but not converting• Ready to fix your strategy Ways to Work With Michelle Michelle helps entrepreneurs turn their visibility into clients through strategy calls, VIP Days, and her community. DM CLIENTS to learn more. Support the Podcast If you enjoy Social Media Decoded, leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. visibility vs saleswhy my content isn’t convertinghow to get clients onlinecontent to clients strategypersonal brand conversionwhy people aren’t buying from mesocial media marketing strategy for entrepreneurshow to turn followers into clients 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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