
In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames breaks down the three visibility shifts she would make if she were starting her business from scratch in 2024. After 15+ years in marketing and building a multiple six-figure personal brand, Michelle shares the key things she’d do differently to build momentum faster, attract aligned clients, and grow with intention. This episode is packed with strategy, personal examples, and actionable tips for entrepreneurs who are ready to get visible and paid.
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With a focused downstream, a growing upstream and disciplined investment in the transition. See how we'll grow shareholder value@bp.com reset if you want people to find you, trust you and pay you, these shifts will help you get there. You already know the drill. Get your pens and your notepads ready because gems are about to be dropped 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 week 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. Hey friend, if I had to start my business from Scratch Today, in 2025, I'd be doing things a whole lot differently, especially when comes to visibility. And I'm sharing the real with you today because after 15 plus years in marketing and building a multiple six figure brand, I've done what works, what doesn't, and what's absolutely wasting your time. So whether you're just starting out, pivoting or realizing your content strategy just isn't working. Let's talk about three visibility shifts that would have changed the game for me a lot sooner. If you want people to find you, trust you and pay you, these shifts will help you get there. You already know the drill. Get your pens and your notepads ready because gyms are about to be dropped. Now let's talk about shift number one. I would build authority before anything else. When I first started I thought that visibility meant showing up everywhere all the time. But if I could go back. I would start by getting known for one thing and backing it up with proof. People don't follow random content creators anymore. They follow trusted voices. I focus on one topic, like visibility or personal branding like I do now, and I go deep. I create a signature framework or method. I'd share case studies, testimonials and transformation stories from the jump. Here's an example. Instead of posting five ways to grow your Instagram, I'd post here's how my client Sarah gained 300 followers and booked two clients by using just one story strategy that builds trust. The second shift I will make is I create one power offer and talk about it everywhere. OMG. In the beginning I was all over the place with so many freebies, so many low ticket things and just random content. But if I were starting over, I launch with one clear offer and build my visibility around it. Why? Because confused audiences don't buy clarity sells. One offer that solves a specific problem. A weekly visibility content strategy that leads back to it and a strong, simple call to action every single time. Example like my $17 visible and booked audio course. It's low cost, but it gives people an actual result. I talk about it all the time now because it works and it drives consistent traffic, email signups and income. You can do the same thing with your offer. It's not about having 10. It's about making one irresistible. Shift number three, I focus on owning my audience. Early social media is great and I know that you love this podcast because I share so much about social media. But if you don't have a plan to move people off the apps, you are building on rented land, my friend. And we don't want to do that. So here's what I do. I start by growing my email list immediately. I'd use a clear lead magnet like my free 7 day visibility audio challenge and I show up weekly in inboxes with real value. Here's an example. When someone downloads my audio challenge, they're getting value from me in their ears, building trust fast. Then they're nurtured toward a paid offer like my visible and booked audio course. That's a system. That's how you get off the hamster wheel of content and build real momentum. Now let's run that back. Shift number one, Build authority with the focus niche and proof is gold. Shift number two, I create one power offer and make it the star of your visibility. And shift number three, Owning your audience. By building your email list from day one, you are doing yourself a huge, huge favor. These three shifts would have changed everything for me in year one. But you don't have to wait. You can start doing this right now. And if you want help putting these shifts into action, Friend, go ahead and grab my $17 audio course visible and Booked and I will walk you through exactly how to build a content system that gets you seen and paid without the burnout. And if you haven't yet, friend, go ahead and start with my free seven day Visibility Audio Challenge. It's linked in the show Notes. If this episode gave you value, please share it with Abyss Bestie, Tag me ichellellthaimes over on Instagram and support the show with the Matcha over on my Buy me a Coffee link. I just want to tell you friend, you're not too late. You're just one shift away from a breakthrough. I will talk to you all in the next one. Peace. All right, 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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Podcast Summary: Social Media Decoded
Episode: The 3 Visibility Shifts I’d Make If I Started Over Today
Host: Michelle Thames
Release Date: April 30, 2025
In the episode titled "The 3 Visibility Shifts I’d Make If I Started Over Today," Michelle Thames, a seasoned marketing strategist and business coach, delves into transformative strategies for enhancing business visibility. Drawing from over 15 years of experience in marketing and growing a multi-six-figure brand, Michelle shares three pivotal shifts that entrepreneurs, creators, and brands can implement to significantly boost their online presence, attract clients, and build a profitable brand.
Michelle emphasizes the foundational role of authority in achieving visibility. Initially, she equated visibility with being omnipresent across multiple platforms, but her experience taught her that true visibility stems from being recognized as an authority in a specific niche.
Key Points:
Notable Quote:
"If I could go back, I would start by getting known for one thing and backing it up with proof. People don't follow random content creators anymore. They follow trusted voices."
— Michelle Thames [02:15]
Practical Example: Instead of offering generic tips like “Five Ways to Grow Your Instagram,” Michelle advises sharing specific success stories such as, “Here’s how my client Sarah gained 300 followers and booked two clients by using just one story strategy that builds trust.”
The second shift Michelle discusses is the power of having a clear, compelling offer. She reflects on her early days when her approach was scattered with numerous freebies and low-ticket items, which diluted her messaging and confused her audience.
Key Points:
Notable Quote:
"If I were starting over, I’d launch with one clear offer and build my visibility around it. Confused audiences don't buy; clarity sells."
— Michelle Thames [05:30]
Practical Example: Michelle highlights her own $17 “Visible and Booked” audio course as a prime example of a power offer. By focusing her messaging around this single offer, she was able to drive consistent traffic, increase email signups, and generate reliable income.
The final shift Michelle emphasizes is the importance of owning your audience by building an email list. Relying solely on social media platforms can be precarious, as algorithms and platform policies can change, putting your visibility at risk.
Key Points:
Notable Quote:
"If you don't have a plan to move people off the apps, you are building on rented land, my friend."
— Michelle Thames [07:10]
Practical Example: Michelle discusses her free 7-day Visibility Audio Challenge as an effective lead magnet. This challenge not only provides immediate value to participants but also builds trust quickly, paving the way to nurture them towards her paid “Visible and Booked” audio course.
Michelle wraps up the episode by reiterating the three visibility shifts:
She encourages listeners to implement these shifts immediately to streamline their strategies and avoid wasting time on ineffective tactics. For those seeking further guidance, Michelle offers her $17 “Visible and Booked” audio course and a free 7-day Visibility Audio Challenge to help put these strategies into action.
Final Notable Quote:
"You're not too late. You're just one shift away from a breakthrough."
— Michelle Thames [07:50]
By adopting these three visibility shifts, entrepreneurs and business owners can enhance their online presence, attract more clients, and build a profitable brand with greater efficiency and less overwhelm.
Connect with Michelle Thames:
This detailed summary captures the essence of Michelle Thames’ episode, highlighting the key strategies and providing actionable insights for listeners aiming to boost their business visibility effectively.