DIGITAL ENTREPRENEUR  

Client advocate, digital strategist, and thought leader Hollis Thomases founded Web Ad.vantage in 1998. Through fact-based assessments and auditing, Web Ad.vantage helps companies navigate the complexity of the ever-changing digital marketing landscape and develop digital strategies. Thomases protects clients from wasteful marketing expenses and deceptive practices by advocating for airtight processes, prudent ad/marketing spending, and metrics-based tactics and back-end analysis. @hollisthomases


Twitter's 2013 Changes Recapped: Are You Up to Date?

Since the beginning of the year, Twitter has rolled out at least 16 significant changes businesses should know about. Do you?  Read story

Best and Worst Ways to Get Publicity

Every business wants good press, but most can't pull it off. That's their own fault.  Read story

Big Data Tools Are Not Just for Big Business

Not sure how to apply big data to your small business? Check out these tips and tools.  Read story

Why Real-Life Relationships are Key to Social Media Success

Don't stop at 140 characters and thumb-ups. Your online relationships should impact your real-world business--for the better.  Read story

8 Risks When You Ignore Social Media

Ignoring social media because you think you can't prove results? Here's what you risk.  Read story

Strip Away the Buzz--Content Marketing Is Nothing New

Is "content marketing" the latest buzzword capturing your attention? It's nothing you don't know how to do--if you consider a bit of history.  Read story

6 Free or Cheap Ways to Protect Your Online Reputation

What happens on the Internet, stays on the Internet. Don't let your reputation go undefended.  Read story

6 Steps to Host a Successful LinkedIn Group

It's easy for neglect, spammers and poor practices to devalue a LinkedIn Group. Get back on track with advice from some pros.  Read story

That's So 2012: Have Pinterest, Foursquare and Groupon Peaked?

Do you fall for social media marketing trends? Slow down and learn from a few whose stars may be fading.  Read story

I Lost $60-Flippin'-Thousand Dollars? Don't Let This Happen to You

Avoid these common--and very painful--digital marketing scenarios that can lead to thousands of wasted dollars.  Read story

On Social Media? Get Real or Die

For companies on social media, brand trust is the new economic currency. Fake it at your own peril.  Read story

New Ways to Advertise on Social Media

Can't keep up with all the updates from Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube? Read on for latest changes you should know about.  Read story

8 Hidden but Powerful Google Tools for Business

Google is far more than a search engine. If you know where to look, you can find a treasure trove of free or practically free tools to help grow your business.  Read story

You Know Less About Your Web Analytics Than You Think

Take control of your analytics--make sure you haven't fallen into one of these six common traps.  Read story

Amazon Deletes Negative Reviews and Gets Away With It...But Can You?

Reviews and ratings can build you up--or take you down. Tips to harness them successfully.  Read story

Posting on Facebook? First Figure Out Why

Too many companies waste their time on social media. Ten objectives you should consider before you Tweet or post an update.  Read story

Must-Know Tips to Measure Your Mobile Marketing

Everyone has a cell phone, but mobile marketing is notoriously tough to analyze and measure. Here's how to start.  Read story

Harnessing the Great Big Marketing Laboratory at Your Fingertips

If you're not testing your online marketing, you're wasting time and money. Try these cheap and easy methods.  Read story

Filling That Social Media Job: 7 Ways to Get It Wrong

Hiring someone to manage your company's social media? Don't make the same mistakes everyone else is making.  Read story

5 Critical LinkedIn Optimizations That Take 5 Minutes or Less

Does your LinkedIn profile make it look like you're hiding something? Five quick, essential updates.  Read story

Don't Waste Your Time and Money on Email Marketing

Email can be a powerful tool in the marketer's tool kit. Don't get it all wrong.  Read story

8 Things Wrong with Your Google AdWords Campaign

You may think you're getting good value from your paid Google AdWords campaign, but chances are you could be doing better. Here's why.  Read story

Don't Sabotage Your Social Media: 6 Sure Ways

Here's a basic checklist to quickly make sure your social media tactics are on the right track.  Read story

8 Common & Costly Website Mistakes You Don't Want to Make

Don't bother to have a website if you're making these obvious, fundamental errors.  Read story

Google Plus: The Most Under-Appreciated Must-Use Social Media Tool

Here's what you need to know about rolling out your small business on Google+.  Read story

Managing Your Agency: 4 Key Ways to Get What You Want

Hiring help with your digital marketing efforts? Start your relationship right by making sure you're in sync on these key points.  Read story

Who Is Using Social Media Now?

A new study shows a sharp increase in the number of small firms on social media--and highlights pain points and favorite tools.  Read story

How to Crowdsource Anything

The next time you need to get something done, you might want to try appealing to the masses for some help.  Read story

Email Marketing Isn't Dead (Yet)

Data shows email marketing is still very effective. Here's why and how you should sharpen your email marketing strategies today.  Read story

6 Keyword Search Strategies to Grow Your Business

Consumers search the web billions and billions of times each month. Here's how you can use that information to grow your business.  Read story

11 Reasons a 23-Year-Old Shouldn't Run Your Social Media

Sure, she understands Instagram. But do you really want a new grad controlling your brand online?  Read story

Time to Fix Your Marketing Strategy

Everyone wants digital bells and whistles. But too often, what a client really needs is a solid online strategy.  Read story

How to Fix Your Website

Are you getting the most out of your website? Here are 18 tools and websites you can use to test theories and make improvements.  Read story

Don't Believe Everything You See on Facebook

The latest scams have migrated to social media. Here are some of the tricks being used on Facebook, Twitter, and elsewhere.  Read story

Facebook Changes: Are You Up-to-Date?

The social network and its affiliates have rolled out at least nine changes to Facebook ads--plus a few other shifts--in the past few months.  Read story

23 Signs Your Web Developer Is Not an Online Marketer

Online marketing is not as simple as it seems and not everyone should be claiming the mantle. Use this list of warning signs to vet your next digital marketi...  Read story

Using YouTube? 4 Tricks for Video Marketing

If you're not using the video site to market your company, you're missing a huge opportunity.  Read story

Summer Reading List: Online Essentials

Rest, relaxation, and...business reading? If you're one of those people who has to get away to get caught up, here's a list of summer reading.  Read story

Social Media Stars: Companies & Industries That Get It Right

Small local businesses can see big gains by leveraging social media tricks. Here are a few good examples.  Read story

Why 'Big Data' Is a Big Deal

In a world generating and storing tons of data every day, business owners need to learn how to harness it to get an edge.  Read story

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