From Expo Stage to Instagram: How I Landed & Leveraged An Expo Talk

Summary

Podcast Summary: Social Media Decoded Episode: From Expo Stage to Instagram: How I Landed & Leveraged An Expo Talk
Release Date: August 4, 2025
Host: Michelle Thames

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Introduction: Turning Speaking Engagements into Content Goldmines

In this insightful episode of Social Media Decoded, host Michelle Thames shares her journey of securing and maximizing a speaking opportunity at the Black Women's Expo in Chicago. Tailored for entrepreneurs, creators, and brands, Michelle demystifies the process of leveraging stage appearances to amplify online visibility and drive business growth.

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Landing the Speaking Opportunity: Strategic Networking and Prompt Follow-Up

Michelle begins by detailing how she secured her spot on the expo panel. Unlike indiscriminate cold emailing, Michelle emphasizes the power of warm introductions:

“The right pitch isn't a cold spray and pray email all the time. It could be a warm align conversation.” [03:34]

A contact within her network reached out to her email list, seeking speakers for the Black Women's Expo. Given her longstanding relationship with the event—having previously vendored there during her time at Organics—Michelle recognized the sentimental value and alignment with her brand. Adhering to her 15-minute rule, she promptly responded to ensure momentum:

“If a lead feels on brand, I draft a response within 15 minutes and I send it. Momentum matters, right?” [03:49]

This swift action led to her involvement in a distinguished panel featuring a former NBA player, tech founders, and community leaders, underscoring the event's prestige and networking potential.

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The Expo Experience: Building Relationships and Capturing Content

During the expo, Michelle participated in a vibrant panel discussion alongside influential entrepreneurs. The diverse expertise of panelists—from technology to hospitality—enhanced the conversation's depth and provided rich content opportunities. Post-event, Michelle underscores the importance of gratitude and follow-up:

“The fortune is in the follow up.” [05:46]

She planned to send thank-you emails to her fellow panelists, reinforcing connections and laying the groundwork for future collaborations.

Michelle also highlights the critical role her husband, Randy, plays in content capture:

“My husband Randy... is always being there for the events.” [05:53]

Randy ensures that valuable moments are documented through photos and videos, which Michelle later transforms into engaging social media content.

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Content Capture and Utilization: Maximizing Every Moment

Securing recordings and assets is a pivotal step in Michelle's strategy. She advises:

“Make sure you secure, you know, all the assets and ask can you capture content?” [07:08]

By obtaining recordings and coordinating with event organizers for additional interviews, Michelle ensures a steady stream of content for various platforms.

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Stage to Story Content Workflow: Transforming Talks into Digital Engagement

Michelle introduces her Stage to Story Content Workflow, a systematic approach to repurposing a single speaking engagement into multiple pieces of high-value content:

1. Hero Reel: Behind-the-scenes footage and engaging moments from the stage.

2. Carousel Posts: Multi-slide Instagram carousels detailing her journey to the stage.

3. Instagram Stories: Real-time updates and ephemeral content to boost visibility.

4. LinkedIn Posts: Professional recaps highlighting key takeaways and networking outcomes.

5. Quote Graphics: Memorable quotes from her talk, visually appealing for sharing.

“Ways that you can get Instagram content from one talk and here they are.” [08:56]

Michelle shares examples, such as a reel showcasing her preparation and interactions, and a detailed carousel explaining how she secured the speaking opportunity.

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Repurposing and Monetizing Content: Turning Exposure into Revenue

Beyond content creation, Michelle explores monetization strategies stemming from her expo appearance. She illustrates how consistent repurposing can lead to significant financial gains:

“Clients who follow this cycle... turn a single unpaid stage into a 2 to $5,000 digital product sales.” [12:55]

An anecdote highlights her success: a new connection impressed by her expo talk resulted in an immediate sale, demonstrating the tangible benefits of strategic content utilization.

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Actionable Tips and Resources: Empowering Listeners to Act

Michelle equips her audience with practical tools and strategies:

• Templates and Checklists: Offers a free Stage to Story Checklist for listeners to streamline their content workflow.

• Pitch Templates: Provides customizable email templates to aid in securing speaking engagements.

• Follow-Up Strategies: Emphasizes the necessity of timely and personalized follow-ups within 48 hours post-event.

• Content Scheduling: Advises posting content promptly to maintain relevance and capitalize on event momentum.

“If you want the template, go ahead and send me a DM on Instagram.” [13:45]

Listeners are encouraged to leverage Google Alerts and AI tools like ChatGPT to discover and respond to speaking opportunities proactively.

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Conclusion: Pitch Boldly and Post Strategically

Wrapping up, Michelle reinforces the concept of stages as evergreen content machines. By strategically pitching for speaking roles and meticulously planning content dissemination, entrepreneurs can significantly enhance their online presence and revenue streams.

“A stage is more than a microphone. It is an evergreen content machine.” [15:11]

She urges listeners to:

• Pitch Boldly: Seek out speaking opportunities that align with their brand.
• Post Strategically: Utilize the Stage to Story workflow to maximize content output.

Michelle invites her audience to engage further by downloading resources, booking strategy sessions, and sharing their experiences to inspire others.

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Key Takeaways:

• Warm Introductions Over Cold Emails: Utilize your network for meaningful connections.

• Swift Follow-Up: Respond promptly to opportunities to maintain momentum.

• Content Capture is Crucial: Document every aspect of your speaking engagements for future content.

• Systematic Content Repurposing: Turn a single event into multiple content pieces across platforms.

• Monetization Potential: Strategic content use can lead to significant revenue streams.

• Leverage Available Resources: Utilize templates, checklists, and strategic sessions to optimize efforts.

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For more detailed strategies and resources, listeners are encouraged to visit the show notes or connect with Michelle Thames directly on Instagram.

Transcript

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[Michelle Thames]

Hey, welcome back to Social Media Decoded. I'm Michelle Thames, Digital strategist, visibility coach and your podcast bestie. If you've ever dreamed of stepping onto a stage, sharing your genius, and then turning that single moment into weeks of scroll stopping content, then this episode is for you. So this past weekend I spoke at the Black Women's Expo here in Chicago and today I am breaking down exactly how I landed the opportunity. From first email to final confirmation, my stage to story content workflow that turned a one hour talk of me being on the panel into some high value Instagram posts and a rinse and repeat follow up system that you can swipe today to book and bank your own speaking gigs. Now grab a notebook or open your notes app in your phone because I am handing over templates, tactics and mindset shifts that my Power Hour clients normally pay for. And if you want the plug and play version, you can snag my free stage to story checklist that is linked below in the show notes. Or you can DM me on Instagram and say michelle, I listened to your episode and I want the stage to story checklist.

[Co-host]

Okay.

[Michelle Thames]

Or you can book a visibility power hour and let's tailor these steps towards your brand. Again, the information is below in the show notes. All right, you ready?

[Co-host]

Let's go from stage lights to timeline highlights.

[Michelle Thames]

Now this is how I landed the Expo gig. All right, big takeaway. The right pitch isn't a cold spray and pray email all the time. It could be a warm align conversation.

[Co-host]

So a contact in my network had.

[Michelle Thames]

Emailed her Email list. And she said that she was looking for speakers interested in, you know, speaking at the Black Women's Expo. And I was like, wow, okay, I've, you know, partnered with this girl before. We've collaborated and so I have a warm introduction. I actually was thinking about this expo now this has been an expo that has been in Chicago. This is their 30th year. So I've grown up going to this expo. And so it's really sentimental and kind of a full circle moment because when I used to work also at my Organics, this used to be an expo that we used to vend at. And so I always, you know, had interest in like one day I want to speak at the Black Women's Expo on the stage. And wow, I got the, got the opportunity to do that. And so I have a 15 minute rule. If a lead feels on brand, I draft a response within 15 minutes and I send it. Momentum matters, right? At that point I was like, oh, this.

[Co-host]

When she emailed, I said up, I'm.

[Michelle Thames]

Going to send an email right that day. I didn't wait till the next day, wait till I felt ready, none of that because I'm still like, oh my gosh, I got, are they going to, you know, choose me?

[Co-host]

And so I did that.

[Michelle Thames]

I sent an email and I just.

[Co-host]

Asked, you know, hey, I saw your.

[Michelle Thames]

You know, note that you were looking for speakers and you know, would they be interested in working with me? You know, do you think it's any synergy? And she said, oh yeah, I know the person who is, is, you know, heading up this panel or event and here's her email. Send the person your information. And she was like, I'm sure that you'll, you know, get this opportunity. And so I was like, okay, cool. So then I emailed the person and I let her know, you know, what my background was and the topics that I could speak on. And she didn't respond right away.

[Co-host]

But I am a follow upper. Okay. So I followed up and she said, oh, Michelle, thanks you for following up.

[Michelle Thames]

I would love if you could speak at, you know, the movers and shakers panel. Y', all, y'.

[N/A]

All.

[Michelle Thames]

I was like, okay, sure. And come to find out there was a former NBA player on the panel. So many amazing other entrepreneurs. One gentleman, he has grown his Instagram and does, you know, community initiatives for.

[Co-host]

Chicago and has a large following.

[Michelle Thames]

He had a tech founder, a lady who has a give back initiative in Chicago and also comes from hospitality real estate. Someone who the, the moderator worked with corporate Leaders. Such an amazing put together panel. And so I was really excited, I think that the panel flowed so well and I definitely going to be emailing them next week to thank them.

[Co-host]

Right.

[Michelle Thames]

Because if you do something like this, if you, you know, attend an event, you're on a the panel, whatever. I'm thanking everyone.

[Co-host]

Okay. And so I'm so glad that I followed up.

[Michelle Thames]

And don't forget about the fortune is in the follow up. And so my husband was able to come along with me, which is amazing because as my business partner, one of his things that he does for the business is to get content of, you know, when I'm speaking on stages or if I'm doing an event, he is always there to get that content and we, you know, talk about how we're gonna utilize it and all the things like we really strategize about that. So shout out to my husband Randy for just being so amaz, just, you know, always being there for the events. And so he was able to come and get some great content that I.

[Co-host]

Was able to use.

[Michelle Thames]

So now if you do an event, you always do want to make sure.

[Co-host]

Like hey, is it okay?

[Michelle Thames]

You know, is the session going to be recorded?

[Co-host]

If I can get files. I think they, they did do some recording.

[Michelle Thames]

They also did an interview that they said they were going to leverage on other platforms. So I hope that that generates more visibility for myself as well. And because I am using this as a visibility opportunity, it was a great opportunity to be a part of such a legacy event. And again I asked, you know, can I record? Of course. And you know, my husband was able to come and get content and so make sure you secure, you know, all.

[Co-host]

The assets and you know, ask can you capture content?

[Michelle Thames]

Because this is going to work in your favor. Okay, it's going to work in your favor.

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[Co-host]

Now let's talk about the stage to Story Content workflow. I promised you five pieces or five.

[Michelle Thames]

Ways that you can get Instagram content from one talk and here they are. So the first piece is the hero. So I utilize so many. My husband got pictures and videos and I've already posted one reel and one carousel already from the content that he was able to get. So the reel was behind the scenes of just all of a contemplation of me speaking, walking on stage, you know, pictures of me talking to people. And that was one piece of content.

[Co-host]

And then I got a carousel which I did like seven slides and I.

[Michelle Thames]

Talked about, you know, how I got this opportunity. I also did stories. So those stories and the pictures and everything, I put that all together and was able to showcase that in my Instagram stories. As, you know, stories expire in 24 hours, but I think, you know, a.

[Co-host]

Lot of people watch stories and I.

[Michelle Thames]

Just made sure to leverage my stories on that day for visibility.

[Co-host]

I also have a hero image that I posted on my Facebook page.

[Michelle Thames]

I'm also going to post on LinkedIn on this upcoming today, which is Monday. I'm going to post the LinkedIn photo on my feed and just recap the event and me speaking and something else.

[Co-host]

That you can also do.

[Michelle Thames]

I didn't do this yet, but create a quote graphic, like maybe a, you know, quote that you shared on stage or something like that, or a different piece of content with a picture or anything. But those are the five ways that you can create and how I usually create content from when I speak on stages.

[Co-host]

So all you need, okay.

[Michelle Thames]

Is your smartphone.

[Co-host]

Okay.

[Michelle Thames]

You can get, you can also. I seen people do this while they were on stage getting.

[Co-host]

Mic'D up and.

[Michelle Thames]

Getting recording of you talking because then your, you know, videographer, photographer or whoever can take that content and use it. So that's.

[Co-host]

I should have did that because I.

[Michelle Thames]

Said some really great things up there on stage.

[Co-host]

But next time I probably will have.

[Michelle Thames]

My lavalier microphone that I got from Amazon attached to me.

[Co-host]

So ask a friend or your husband or your partner to sit front row and hit record, get horizontal for YouTube.

[Michelle Thames]

And vertical for reals voice memo yourself debriefing key audience questions within 10 minutes. So you can, you know, have fresh things. If you want to talk about that, you can continue to, you know, get market research from people.

[Co-host]

And my posting timeline, I posted the.

[Michelle Thames]

Same night, my stories and everything. I posted the reel the same day of the event. I don't think timing matters when you post. I wanted it to be fresh because.

[Co-host]

I was also doing another event the second day.

[Michelle Thames]

So then if I would have waited.

[Co-host]

To post the content, I don't think.

[Michelle Thames]

It would have fit.

[Co-host]

So when I do all of this, I'm thinking with strategy.

[Michelle Thames]

I'm not like just posting random stuff because that doesn't make sense to like how my brain works. And so when I do in real time content, I am posting in real time. So I make sure to post that.

[Co-host]

In real time to tag the organizers.

[Michelle Thames]

To tag the people from the event. Because most likely this is going to.

[Co-host]

Be a hot time when people are.

[Michelle Thames]

Going to go back to your page now because they've seen you speak on stage, you giving your Instagram handle, and.

[Co-host]

Now they're going to be following you.

[Michelle Thames]

So it would be remiss of me.

[Co-host]

Not to start just sharing that type of information. And then I shared the carousel the next day.

[Michelle Thames]

I'm going to share probably another reel next week.

[Co-host]

But that's typically how I post when.

[Michelle Thames]

I speak on stages.

[Co-host]

And I want to make sure that I am utilizing this alt text. So I did put the Black Women's Expo. You know, I was a marketing speaker. I put my name all in there.

[Michelle Thames]

So that it can be indexed and found.

[Co-host]

And so after this, you want to repurpose and monetize. So I, if you on my email list sent an email today about what I did at the con, you know how I got this?

[Michelle Thames]

You're.

[Co-host]

I made a podcast episode. You're hearing it now. So I'm repurposing content. I try to show you all how I do this. Like you can repurpose content from so many different angles. Okay.

[Michelle Thames]

So many different angles.

[Co-host]

And so clients who follow this cycle.

[Michelle Thames]

Routinely turn a single unpaid stage into.

[Co-host]

A 2 to $5,000 sometime digital product sales. If you come behind that and then.

[Michelle Thames]

Just start selling like your bundles and.

[Co-host]

All that and things that you have in getting people interested.

[Michelle Thames]

Boom.

[Co-host]

A sale.

[Michelle Thames]

I made a sale while I was.

[Co-host]

At the the following event the next.

[Michelle Thames]

Day from someone I met and then.

[Co-host]

She seen that I spoke at the Black Women's Expo and was like, oh my gosh, when I met you, I knew I had to buy a ticket. So it can work in so many different ways. And so how can you apply this your opportunity? Scan, search and even use ChatGPT for industry conferences.

[Michelle Thames]

Call for speakers.

[Co-host]

Okay.

[Michelle Thames]

And create a recurring Google alert so that you get alerts when people post about speaking engagements.

[Co-host]

Have a pinch template. You can use my email template. Okay?

[Michelle Thames]

Swap your credibility.

[Co-host]

Take mine out and put yours in.

[Michelle Thames]

Remember, if you want this template, go ahead and send me a DM on Instagram. Michelle Thames Simply say, hey Michelle, listen to the episode.

[Co-host]

I want the pitch template from your for your speaking engagements. I got you. Follow up schedule. Make sure you follow up okay with people. Okay.

[Michelle Thames]

Follow up within 48 hours from the event.

[Co-host]

Always request assets. If there are photos and videos, ask.

[Michelle Thames]

If you can have those and use the stage True story workflow. Make sure you follow the five post.

[Co-host]

Plan and tag me in the hero post. Tag me in your post. I will hype you up if you.

[Michelle Thames]

Decide to take this framework and use it.

[Co-host]

If you want me to live edit.

[Michelle Thames]

Your pitch, craft your credibility bullets and help you map out a content plan for your speaking engagements, go ahead and book a power strategy session with me. The link is down below in the show notes. And again, if you want that free stage to story checklist, download, duplicate, execute, no email clutter, just the steps.

[Co-host]

Go ahead and check that out in.

[Michelle Thames]

The show notes or again, send me a DM on Instagram and I will send that to you.

[Co-host]

If this episode helps, screenshot it, share it in your stories and tag me.

[Michelle Thames]

At Michelle lthames and social media decoded podcast and drop the stage that you're manifesting next. Someone on your feed needs this clarity. Be their plug.

[Co-host]

Okay? Remember, a stage is more than a microphone.

[Michelle Thames]

It is an evergreen content machine. When you plan ahead and repurpose with.

[Co-host]

Purpose, I'm cheering you on as you.

[Michelle Thames]

Pitch boldly and post strategically this week.

[Co-host]

Okay, go ahead and hit follow so.

[Michelle Thames]

That you never miss an episode of Social Media Detect Coded. Thank you so much for tuning in. Until next time, go pitch, go post and keep getting visible. I will talk to you in the next one Peace for the Ones who.

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