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Social Media Decoded
The $1,000 Coffee Chat: How One Conversation Can Change Your Business
00:10:15
In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames shares how a casual coffee chat led to a $1,000 opportunity—and how you can start turning simple conversations into real business growth. If you’ve ever felt like networking is a waste of time or you’re not sure how to build genuine relationships online, this episode will give you the mindset shift and actionable strategies you need. Discover how to stop chasing followers and start building powerful connections that open doors.
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- [00:00]
Wix Marketing Team
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- [01:02]
Michelle Thames
Days later she reached out and she said Michelle, I have really been thinking about our conversation and I really would love to invite you to speak at my event. I know you specialize in social media, digital marketing and helping brands get visible and I'm hosting this event and I knew that you will be perfect and I want to hire you to be a speaker. Boom. 1000 plus dollars from a conversation that did not feel like work at all. Hey hey. Welcome to the Social Media Decoded Podcast. The Go to podcast for entrepreneurs and business owners who want to grow their brand, increase visibility and make more money without the overwhelm. I'm your host Michelle Thames, marketing strategist, business coach and the person who's here to give you the real no fluff strategies to help you succeed online. Each I bring you expert insights, actionable tips and real talk about what's actually working in social media and digital marketing. Whether you're just starting or scaling the six figures, you're in the right place. So grab your coffee or matcha if you're like me and let's dive into today's episode. Let me ask you something. When's the last time you had a conversation that made you money? And no friend? I am not talking about a sales pitch or a cold DM begging someone to book a call with you. I am talking about a Real, genuine, human to human conversation that unexpectedly led to opportunity. Because let me tell you, I had a coffee conversation chat that turned into a thousand dollars in my pocket. Yep, friend, it's true. One conversation, no sales pitch, no force networking. It. It was just real, genuine connection that led to a paid opportunity. And friend, in today's episode, I'm breaking down how it all happened because you know, I love a good story. That's number one. And why most people approach networking in the wrong way. Okay. And never see results. And how you can start having conversations that actually open doors. And if you're sitting there thinking, networking never works for me, I don't have time for random coffee chats. Then, friend, this episode is for you. So grab your matcha or coffee if you insist, and let's get into it. Okay, so let's talk about how this simple coffee chat made me $1,000. Let me take you back. I was introduced to someone through a mutual connection and we had a virtual coffee chat. Now here is the important part. I wasn't thinking, how can I sell this person? That is not how I went into this conversation at all. I wasn't trying to convince them to hire me or to pitch them anything. We just talked. We talked about business, we talked about our experiences and what was working and what wasn't. It was a light, casual convo, but it was like real. I love talking to people who are just really genuine where we could share experiences. And it's like, I really want to help you. And then a few days later, she reached out and she said, michelle, I have really been thinking about our conversation and I really would love to invite you to speak at my event. I know you specialize in social media, digital marketing, and helping brands get visible. And I'm hosting this event and I knew that you will be perfect and I want to hire you to be a speaker. Boom. 1000 plus dollars from a conversation that did not feel like work at all. And so what's the lesson in this, friend? People do business with people they like and trust. Not people who are constantly pushing sales. Not people who only show up when they need something. Real relationships lead to real money. My mom always taught me that relationships matter, and that is something that I have stood firm on. When I first started back in 2009 on social media, I knew I need to go to these events and, like, talk to people and get to know people because I feel like building relationships is the step I need to take first. Okay. And let's talk about why most people network the wrong way. I'm here to save us from networking the wrong way. Okay. Most people fail at networking. According to Harvard Business Review, 70% of business relationships that lead to revenue come from casual conversations, not formal networking events. But here's what most entrepreneurs do wrong. You show up only when you need something that is the wrong thing to do. If you only reach out when you're desperate for clients, people can feel that. And let's be honest, it is a turn off. Don't make it about yourself either. Ever been in a conversation where someone just talks at you the entire time? Yeah. Let's not be that person. Friend. They don't nurture relationships. If you meet someone once and they never follow up, don't expect that connection to magically turn into a paid opportunity. Don't expect that. Then I want you to do this. Let's talk about how to make networking work for you. Because this is what you really want to know, right? You like Michelle? How do I make this work for me? I got you. Get your. Get your pins and notepads out. You already probably have them out. Number one, lead with value, not a pitch. The biggest mistake people make, they think networking equals selling. It's not that. Here's the action step I want you to take the next time you meet someone. Ask yourself, how can I help this person? Instead of pitching your services, sharing a resource that could help them, introducing them to someone in your network, engaging with their content in a meaningful way, people remember who helped them first. I'm telling you 100%. Number two, our follow up game is going to be strong and we're going to follow up like a pro. Most entrepreneurs are one follow up away from a new opportunity. I just said that to my husband last week. We are about to be follow up kings and queens over here. Don't just connect, stay connected. Here's the action step after networking. After a networking event or a coffee chat, I want you to send a quick message and say hey, insert their name. I really loved our conversation today. Let's keep in touch and see how we can support each other. I saw this article and I thought of you. Hope this was helpful. Let's check in again next month and see what's new with our businesses. Small actions equal big results. 3. I want you to get in the right rooms. Not all networking is created equal, my friend. If you are in the wrong rooms, guess what? All you're doing is wasting time. Here's an action step for you to take today. Be intentional about where you network are. The people in this Space aligned with your business is this space where real relationships happen, not just surface level connections. Because we don't want that. And are people actually taking action and growing? Which brings me to if you're tired of networking that doesn't actually lead to results, you need to be in the right room, friend. And that's exactly what we do at my women's entrepreneur event. Elevate and connect. Okay, so for my win entrepreneurs out there, I want to tell you about this event. We meet every second Tuesday of the month and just for $7, you get in the room with real business women, real conversations and real opportunities. We also have professionals that have nine to fives, marketing professionals, HR professionals. So this is for you. Even if you have a side hustle, if you're working a 9 to 5, a networking and connecting event, real opportunities. So if you're ready to stop wasting time and start making meaningful connections, grab your spot at the link in the show notes. If you're listening to this podcast, the next one is April 8th, 2025. But like I said, we do every second Tuesday of the month for $7. You can find me on Eventbrite. Okay, type in Thames Media Solutions. It will come up all the events that we host. All right, now let's recap. Friend, you are one conversation away from something that could change everything if you do it right. Let's remember that networking isn't about selling, it's about relationships. The right rooms lead to the right opportunities. Now here's your next move. Number one, this is what I want you to do. Reach out to someone this week and schedule a coffee chat. I just had two coffee chats last week. One turned into a podcast interview, another one turned into I had a coffee chat with my friend. We're about to do a an event together. So follow up with somebody that you've already met and keep the relationship going. That's the second thing then women entrepreneurs out there, business owners, if you work a 9 to 5 in marketing, HR, if you have a not for profit, if you want to elevate and network and connect, join us on April 8th because the right conversations can change your business. And hey, if you love this episode and want to support the show, you can always buy me a coffee at the link in the show notes. Alright, that's a wrap on today's episode. I hope you got some valuable insights and real strategies you can apply to your business right now. If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for you to do two quick things. First, take a screenshot, share it on Instagram and tag me ichellelthame so we can keep the conversation going. Second, if you found value in this podcast, it would mean the world to me if you left a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps this show reach more entrepreneurs just like you. Oh, and if you want to support the show and fuel my Matcha obsession, you can always buy me a coffee at the link in the show Notes. Thank you for tuning in. Until next time. Keep showing up, keep growing and I'll talk to y'all in the next one. Peace.
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Wix Marketing Team
You know where your business would be without you. Imagine where it could go with more of you. Well, with wix you can create a website with more of your vision, your voice, your expertise. Wix gives you the freedom to truly own your brand and do it on your own with full customization and advanced AI tools that help turn your ideas into reality, scale up without being held back by cookie cutter solutions, and grow your business into your online brand. Because without you, your business is just business as usual. Take control. Go to wix.com welcome, ladies and gentlemen to Mario Spistro.
- [11:58]
Venmo Marketing Team
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All Free Clear Marketing Team
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Indeed Marketing Team
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