In this educational Business Over Cocktails episode, marketing strategist and community builder Michelle Thames breaks down a repeatable approach to community building and networking that helps entrepreneurs grow a magnetic personal brand and increase visibility online and in the room.
You’ll learn how to choose the right networking events, connect with decision-makers, and make yourself memorable so relationships actually turn into opportunities. Michelle also shares what to do after the event—how to follow up, book coffee chats, connect on Instagram, and stay consistent with content so new connections become clients, collaborators, and community members. If you’ve been relying on social media alone, this episode gives you a practical networking strategy you can plug into your business immediately.
Episode Highlights:
Chapters:
00:01 — Why community building + networking are the foundation
02:31 — Post-event strategy: coffee chats, tracking, and follow-up
03:15 — Instagram as the networking connector + staying top of mind
05:00 — Event content strategy + using ChatGPT for stories/reels
06:05 — Finding the right events (Eventbrite/Meetup) + action plan
Connect with Michelle Thames:
Website - http://www.michellethames.com/
Let’s Stay Connected:
→ Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar
→ Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com
→ Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails
→ Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect
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