In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames breaks down the rise of ragebait content and asks the real question most marketers avoid: does it actually build brands, or just inflate engagement? Drawing from years of experience in marketing, visibility, and personal brand strategy, Michelle explains why ragebait works, when it hurts your credibility, and who should avoid it altogether.

This episode helps entrepreneurs, creators, and business owners understand how to stand out without sacrificing trust, authority, or long-term growth.

• What ragebait content actually is
• Why ragebait performs well on social media platforms
• The psychology behind outrage and engagement
• When ragebait damages brand trust and credibility
• The difference between thought leadership and clickbait
• Who ragebait works for and who it hurts
• How to build visibility without relying on controversy

• Why clarity and positioning matter more than attention

• Ragebait drives engagement, but not always conversion
• Attention without trust does not lead to clients
• Decision-makers buy clarity, not chaos
• Thought leadership challenges ideas without eroding credibility

• Strategic visibility outperforms short-term virality

• Entrepreneurs building personal brands
• Creators who want authority, not just engagement
• Business owners tired of chasing algorithms
• Coaches, consultants, and service providers

• Brands focused on long-term growth and trust

If you want support building visibility that attracts aligned clients instead of just attention, join the Collective for ongoing strategy, feedback, and proximity. https://michellethames.com/elevate-and-empower-collective

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