Podcast Summary: Social Media Decoded
Episode: How to Pack Out Your Next Event: Real Strategies, Speaker Secrets & My No-Fluff Playbook for 2025
Host: Michelle Thames
Release Date: August 5, 2025
Introduction to Elevate and Empower Live 2025
In this insightful episode of Social Media Decoded, host Michelle Thames delves into the intricate process of organizing a successful live event. Focusing on her annual event, Elevate and Empower Live 2025, Michelle shares real-world strategies, speaker secrets, and her no-fluff playbook aimed at helping entrepreneurs, founders, and leaders pack out their next events with purpose and impact.
"I wanted to create a room where you walk in as a dreamer and walk out with a playbook, connections, and confidence to execute."
— Michelle Thames [03:45]
Why Host Elevate and Empower Live?
Michelle begins by explaining her motivation behind founding Elevate and Empower Live. Unlike typical events that leave attendees with fleeting experiences, Michelle's vision is to foster an environment where women entrepreneurs gain tangible takeaways—playbooks, connections, and confidence—to advance their businesses effectively.
"I saw too many women entrepreneurs stuck on the sidelines, consuming, overthinking, waiting for one more tip before they launched or scaled."
— Michelle Thames [02:10]
Event Logistics: Research and Audience Alignment
A key component to a successful event, as Michelle emphasizes, is understanding and aligning with the audience's needs. She conducts extensive research by surveying her mailing list, polling her Facebook community, and engaging with followers on Instagram to determine what keeps her audience stuck and what they seek in a transformative event.
"I wanted to know what keeps you stuck, what are you tired of seeing at other events, and what would make you actually invest in the room."
— Michelle Thames [05:20]
Outreach and Community Building
Michelle highlights the importance of intentional outreach over passive promotional strategies. By personally reaching out through warm DMs, personalized emails, and phone calls, she ensures that the attendees are genuinely interested and aligned with the event's purpose.
"None of that link in bio strategy because that doesn't work. The people who are coming to this event have been curated."
— Michelle Thames [08:15]
To date, 16 remarkable women have committed to Elevate and Empower Live 2025, a testament to her meticulous and personalized outreach approach.
Sponsorship Pitching
Securing sponsors who resonate with the event's mission is crucial. Michelle crafted a custom sponsor deck using Canva, pitching in person and leveraging her network. She focuses on attracting partners who value high-level women, genuine relationship building, and the absence of fluff.
"High level women, no fluff, and real relationship building."
— Michelle Thames [10:50]
Promotion Strategy: Multichannel Approach
A well-structured promotion calendar is essential for event success. Michelle starts her promotional activities six months in advance with save-the-date teasers, followed by speaker reveals, ticket urgency messages, and weekly behind-the-scenes content. She emphasizes the necessity of multiple touchpoints across various platforms to effectively drive ticket sales.
"You need at least five to seven touch points before someone buys."
— Michelle Thames [14:30]
Exciting Additions to the Event
Michelle reveals additional features of Elevate and Empower Live 2025, including a VIP dinner on October 31st and a Networking Bingo Night hosted by one of her sponsors. These elements are designed to enhance networking opportunities and provide exclusive experiences for attendees.
"We're having a networking event that is open to everyone as well, and I'm really excited about that."
— Michelle Thames [16:45]
Spotlight on Speakers: An Unmatched Lineup
The standout feature of Michelle's event is her carefully curated speaker lineup. She introduces three powerhouse women who bring unique expertise to the table:
-
Jordan Gill - Queen of Operational Clarity
- Specializes in helping service providers and coaches scale their businesses with effective systems.
- Session: Mapping out your business for profit and peace of mind.
"No more chaos. No more 'I'm so busy.'"
— Michelle Thames [18:10] -
Taylor Smith - Founder of Power Table Live
- A movement creator focused on building authentic communities.
- Session: Community is the New Currency – strategies to build, monetize, and leverage communities effectively.
"She is the founder of Power Table Live and she's built a brand around authentic community."
— Michelle Thames [19:50] -
Candace Janae - Founder of Epic Fab Girl
- A marketing strategist dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs build visible and profitable businesses.
- Session: Crafting offers, attracting dream clients, and creating a marketing system that sells effortlessly.
"She's giving the receipts and tactical marketing playbooks that you can use right now."
— Michelle Thames [21:30]
The Event Experience: Beyond Traditional Conferences
Michelle paints a vivid picture of what attendees can expect:
- Intimate Setting: A beautiful space in Chicago hosting 40 ambitious women.
- Engaging Activities: Live workshops, hot seats, real-time implementation, and networking opportunities leading to meaningful collaborations.
- Exclusive Perks: Luxe welcome bags, workbooks, VIP dinners, and after-hours networking events like Bingo Night.
- Tangible Outcomes: Strategies and actionable plans that attendees can implement immediately post-event.
"The main takeaway is the strategy that you actually use on the following Monday."
— Michelle Thames [23:40]
Four-Step Framework to Fill Any Event
Michelle shares her four-step mini framework for ensuring a successful event:
-
Curate the Room:
- Focus on quality over quantity by inviting individuals who are genuinely interested and ready to invest.
- Early outreach to select women before public ticket sales.
"Invite people who actually want what you're offering and are willing to invest."
— Michelle Thames [25:15] -
Multichannel Promotion:
- Utilize email, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, podcast episodes, and direct messages.
- Ensure consistent and varied touchpoints to maintain engagement.
"Every single platform every week that you can keep up with."
— Michelle Thames [26:40] -
Deliver Value Before the Event:
- Host free webinars, share behind-the-scenes content, and offer tip series to build trust and demonstrate value.
"When people get value before they buy, your event will sell itself."
— Michelle Thames [28:00] -
Get In the Room:
- Focus on creating a strategic and supportive environment that propels attendees to the next level.
"Elevate and Empower Live isn't just an event, it's a launch pad for your next level."
— Michelle Thames [29:20]
Call to Action: Accessing the Event Promo Pack
Michelle encourages listeners to take actionable steps by offering a free event promo pack. Interested individuals can DM her on Instagram with the keyword "Event Promo Pack" to receive detailed scripts and strategies.
"If you want the full promo plan or my event outreach scripts, you can download my free event promo pack."
— Michelle Thames [30:45]
Additionally, she invites listeners to engage on social media by sharing their biggest takeaways and tagging her to foster a community of action-takers.
Conclusion: Step Into Your Power
Michelle concludes by motivating her audience to step out of the background and actively participate in their growth journey. She emphasizes the importance of being present in the right environments and leveraging strategic actions to achieve business success.
"This is your year to step out of the background and to take a seat at the table."
— Michelle Thames [32:10]
Key Takeaways
- Intentional Outreach: Personalized and meaningful connections drive event success.
- Curated Speaker Lineup: Speakers should offer actionable insights and proven success.
- Multichannel Promotion: Consistent and varied marketing efforts are essential.
- Deliver Pre-Event Value: Build trust and demonstrate value before ticket sales.
- Create Actionable Experiences: Ensure attendees leave with tangible strategies and connections.
Notable Quotes
-
"I wanted to create a room where you walk in as a dreamer and walk out with a playbook, connections, and confidence to execute."
— Michelle Thames [03:45] -
"None of that link in bio strategy because that doesn't work. The people who are coming to this event have been curated."
— Michelle Thames [08:15] -
"High level women, no fluff, and real relationship building."
— Michelle Thames [10:50] -
"When people get value before they buy, your event will sell itself."
— Michelle Thames [28:00] -
"This is your year to step out of the background and to take a seat at the table."
— Michelle Thames [32:10]
Final Thoughts
Michelle Thames provides a comprehensive guide to hosting impactful events that go beyond mere attendance numbers. By focusing on intentional curation, authentic community building, and delivering real value, Elevate and Empower Live 2025 stands as a beacon for women entrepreneurs aiming to scale their businesses effectively. This episode serves as an invaluable resource for anyone looking to host successful events that foster genuine growth and sustainable success.
Connect with Michelle Thames:
- Instagram: @MichelleL.Thames
- Podcast: Social Media Decoded
- Website: michellethames.com