Social Media Decoded – Episode Summary

Podcast: Social Media Decoded
Host: Michelle Thames
Episode Date: January 12, 2026
Main Theme: Debunking the myth that webinars, live streams, and events are “dead,” and explaining why live online experiences still convert—when done correctly.

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Michelle Thames addresses a persistent belief circulating in the online marketing world: that webinars, live events, and live streams no longer produce results. Michelle argues the opposite, laying out why live experiences are still essential for converting audiences, what’s going wrong for those who aren’t seeing results, and how to fix it. This episode is filled with actionable strategies and mindset shifts for entrepreneurs and creators seeking real results from their visibility efforts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Live Experiences Build Trust (01:30)

• Michelle’s Core Argument:
  • “Webinars and live events are not dead. What is dead is the way most people are doing them.”
  • People are quick to dismiss live experiences when, in fact, the problem lies in poor planning and weak execution.

2. Why Live Events Still Work (02:00)

• Trust is the true driver of conversion—not perfectly polished content or branding.
  • “People buy from people they trust. Not brands, not aesthetics, not perfectly curated feeds. People.” (Michelle, 02:10)
• Live events provide proximity, which accelerates trust.
  • Attending a live room is about emotional connection, not just information.

3. Live Events Collapse Time & Remove Doubt (02:30)

• Live experiences create a shortcut to connection, collapsing the time it takes to build rapport and providing real-time emotional bonds.
  • “A live room lets someone think, ‘Oh, she’s what she’s talking about? I feel seen. I trust her.’” (Michelle, 02:52)
• Live rooms quickly remove lingering doubts in a way static content (e.g., posts or reels) cannot.

4. What’s Killing Conversions? (03:00)

Michelle dissects the real reasons people believe live events don’t work:

• Mistake #1: Treating lives like content, not connection.
  • People show up just to teach or run slides, missing the human connection.
  • “People don’t convert because they learn something. They convert because they felt something.” (Michelle, 03:28)
• Mistake #2: No pre-work or warm-up.
  • Going live “cold” leads to “cold” results; conversion starts before the room even opens, through prior messaging and audience preparation.
• Mistake #3: No clear ‘next step.’
  • Many webinars and lives end with vague farewells, leaving audiences confused rather than compelled.
  • “Clarity converts. Confusion kills momentum.” (Michelle, 04:12)

5. The Conversion Mindset (04:20)

• Michelle clarifies the purpose of hosting lives:
  • "I don't host lives to perform. I don't host lives to impress. I host experiences to move people one step closer to trust." (Michelle, 04:24)
• The order of conversion:
  • Rooms → Trust → Readiness → Action
• Not everyone will buy immediately, but every attendee should leave with greater clarity.

6. Why Depth Beats Reach (05:00)

• Small, intentional groups are more likely to convert than large, unfocused audiences.
  • “Small, intentional rooms often convert better than massive audiences. Because depth beats reach every single time.” (Michelle, 05:04)

7. Actionable Changes for Future Lives & Webinars (05:20)

• Focus less on tactics, more on outcomes and feelings.
  • “Instead of the tactics, ask yourself, what do I want people to feel by the end? What decision do I want them to make easier? What's the one next step that makes sense?” (Michelle, 05:24)
• You don’t need more information; you need clear positioning and intentional messaging.

8. Final Takeaway (06:20)

• The format isn’t the problem—disconnection strategy is.
  • “Webinars aren’t dead. Lives aren’t dead. Events aren’t dead. Disconnection strategy is.” (Michelle, 06:29)
• Michelle encourages listeners to book her “Visibility Power Hour” or join her Collective for ongoing live support and strategies.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “People don’t convert because they learn something. They convert because they felt something.” – Michelle Thames [03:28]
• “Conversion starts before the room opens. The messaging, the positioning, the relationship that you’ve already built.” – Michelle Thames [03:53]
• “Rooms build trust. Trust creates readiness. Readiness leads to action.” – Michelle Thames [04:33]
• “Depth beats reach every single time.” – Michelle Thames [05:04]
• “Webinars aren’t dead. Lives aren’t dead. Events aren’t dead. Disconnection strategy is.” – Michelle Thames [06:29]

Timeline of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|--------------------------------------------------| | 01:30 | Debunking the “webinars are dead” myth | | 02:00 | Why live experiences convert | | 03:00 | Common mistakes killing conversions | | 04:20 | Shifting to a conversion-centric mindset | | 05:00 | Why small, intentional rooms work best | | 05:20 | Pro tips for impactful live events & webinars | | 06:20 | Final call to action and main episode takeaway |

Takeaway

Michelle Thames makes a compelling case: Live webinars and events are still among the most effective conversion tools—if you prioritize human connection, audience warming, emotional resonance, and clear calls to action. “Depth over reach” and “trust before tactics” are her guiding philosophies, turning visibility into real, profitable business growth.

Listeners wanting help with live event strategy are invited to connect with Michelle via her Visibility Power Hour or her Collective program.

For more actionable insights, tune into Social Media Decoded wherever you get your podcasts.