What if one DM… one cease-and-desist… or one copyright flag could shut down everything you’ve built online?

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle sits down with Kailey Jacomet, founder of Brand Law Boutique, to break down the real legal risks creators, influencers, and online business owners face—often without even realizing it.

If you post, sell, collaborate, or build community online, this episode is a must-listen.

• Why one Instagram report or DM from a lawyer can shut down your business overnight
• The #1 trademark mistake entrepreneurs make before launching a brand
• The real difference between and (and why it matters more than you think)
• A 60-second name search checklist to avoid expensive rebrands
• How creators unknowingly cross copyright lines with reels, audios, and reposts
• Why “fair use” doesn’t always protect you on platforms like Instagram or TikTok
• What brands can legally do with your name, image, and content if your contract is weak
• The non-negotiable clauses every influencer and creator should look for (or demand)

• The one legal template every online business should invest in first

• How to protect your brand before it scales
• How to avoid being bullied by bigger companies
• How to collaborate confidently without signing your rights away

• How to stay visible, profitable, and legally protected

• Contract templates + website policies
• Trademark education + legal planning tools

• Exclusive listener discount (code in episode description)

If this episode saved you from a future legal headache (or a five-figure mistake), screenshot it, share it, and tag @michellelthames + @kaileyjacomet with your biggest takeaway.

Post proudly. Sell smart. Protect your brand at all costs.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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

Follow Social Media Decoded for daily conversations on marketing, visibility, and brand growth.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames breaks down the real difference between a social media manager and a social media strategist — and why confusing the two can cost businesses time, money, and momentum. Michelle explains how strategy and execution serve different purposes, the most common hiring mistakes business owners make, and how choosing the right support at the right time can dramatically change results.

This episode is essential listening for entrepreneurs, founders, and brands deciding how to invest in their marketing and visibility in 2026.

• The difference between social media management and social media strategy
• Posting content vs planning a visibility ecosystem
• Why execution without strategy leads to wasted effort
• How strategy saves money long-term
• Common hiring mistakes business owners make
• When to hire a strategist vs when to hire a manager
• How clarity impacts content, growth, and conversion

• Why roles, timing, and expectations matter

• A social media manager executes content, a strategist designs the plan
• Posting consistently does not equal strategic growth
• Strategy provides direction, focus, and measurable outcomes
• Hiring the wrong role at the wrong time creates frustration

• Clear strategy makes execution more effective and efficient

• Business owners hiring marketing support
• Entrepreneurs confused about social media roles
• Brands struggling with inconsistent results
• Founders preparing to scale visibility in 2026

• Creators transitioning from DIY to professional support

If you need clarity before hiring or scaling your marketing, explore working with Michelle’s agency for strategic support. www.thamesmediasolutions.com

For ongoing proximity, feedback, and visibility guidance, join the Collective. https://michellethames.com/elevate-and-empower-collective

Michelle Thames is a marketing strategist, podcast host, and community builder with over 15 years of experience helping brands and entrepreneurs build visibility systems that convert. She specializes in strategy-first marketing, community-led growth, and sustainable brand ecosystems.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.