Michael J. Kowalczuk, Client Analyst, Social Media Guru, Innovative Brand Advisor

Hi I’m Michael Kowalczuk. That’s me on the left there. It wasn’t too long ago that I started using the Internet. I think it was around March 2000, when the dot-com-boom and subsequent crash took place that my curiosity about the Internet and its many applications peaked. If it wasn’t for a very fortunate member of my related family that had taught me some of the things I’m going to show you on my blog, I wouldn’t be here right now. I never really made up my mind where I wanted to go that day. I just “kinda” wanted to learn a little about a lot – but I never knew that until I read Robert Kiyosaki’s book “Rich Dad Poor Dad”, in 2008. It was recommended to me by a friend, but I did not know what to expect from it and so I decided to borrow it from the Public Library rather than purchase it outright. Needless to say, it surpassed all my expectations and I ended up holding onto it for an additional week [late fees be darned!].

It’s one of those books that you want to hold onto and not let go, because the information in it is so helpful, like a good investment advisor that you know is going to help you no matter what. So it’s 2010 now. It’s almost 10 years later, and this is a new blog, I’m a real person and here’s what I learned:

I learned that SEO, search engine marketing is yesterday’s news [2000 - 2008]. If you’re going to be an Internet Rockstar, or a marketing affiliate, or present yourself as an “Internet Marketer” you must be versed – or at least semi-fluent – in the language of social media. Face the facts: your kids [if you have any] will spend on average 50% more time than you did in your youth playing video games online with their friends, and there’s nothing you can do to prevent it. This is simply a consequence arising from the fact that this new generation was “born with it”.

The importance of social media in the context of Internet marketing was not entirely crystallized in my mind until 2008, when I was given the opportunity from CIO Canada to be part of an exciting panel discussion. This panel was entirely unique, because instead of the CIOs answering questions from the audience, it reversed the roles of the parties involved and suddenly it was the audience [as future leaders] answering questions posed by the CIOs of various companies [as the audience]. As the panel progressed and we answered question after question, one trend stood out: CIOs were worried about this new concept [and it was still relatively new then] called “social media”. Questions related to all type of social media activity: How do we expect businesses to treat social media?, How do we want it presented? Would the inclusion of social media in the working environment make us more productive?, and so forth…

The panel was a great experience for any up-and-coming Social Media Guru.  Jumping a little earlier to 2003, when I worked with Patrick Wagner [Author, Father of 2, SEO & Social Media Guru], I learned the importance of search engine marketing. I give full credit to Patrick for broadening my knowledge and understanding on the application of the Internet, but it’s the latter years, post 2004, and more importantly that panel discussion that shaped the fundamentals of my “Internet Philosophy”.

In 2006, I started my own company entitled Rapid-Web-Traffic.com, where we specialized in creating traffic sources for companies and link building. I occasionally built a website, but I really didn’t have too much time to devote to it, as I was still completing my undergraduate university education at the Ted Rogers School of Management. In 2008, following the completion of my degree and in the throes of a major global economic crisis, and my company went nowhere, the door shut closed, and its website was still floating in a river that I like to call “my internet playground”.

My time at the Ted Rogers School of Management, however, proved to be the cornerstone of my development. I found myself sitting on multiple committees, in roles such as Director of Marketing for ConnectIT Toronto and VP of Advancement for a student-run organization known as ITMSA. More importantly, I led a team of fellow undergraduates to win a business case competition at the university, and together we went on to become finalists at the Simon Fraser University of British Columbia’s business case competition entitled: Case IT.  My colleagues and I arrived home, and I went on to become co-Chair of the IT case competition for the Ryerson chapter in 2009.

As a graduate, I quickly was hired by a privately owned management consulting firm where I consulted the CEO, CIO, CFO’s of various businesses about topics such as waste management, accounts receivables and other “boring” business topics, that nevertheless generate significant revenues. That same year I launched tbwebvertize.com, as a web presence that specialized in social media, search engine optimization and the occasional web & graphic design. What happened was nothing short of amazing.  By September 2009, I had more work, prospects and leads than I could possibly [as a company employee of just "1"] handle.

How did it all happen? Inventiveness and out-of-the-box thinking were keystones of my success. I was constantly looking for ways to learn more and to surpass conventional boundaries, and so I reached out beyond the scopes of Google and found a very powerful marketing information package that has since guided my Internet strategies. Most people nowadays run to Google for all their problems, and often follow the same answer towards an often incredibly similar result ­­– depending of course on the similarity of search engine terms. My marketing information package, in this sense, is unique, as it reaches beyond Google to develop valuable Internet skills which are often overlooked. Within just 2 short years I’ve grown to not only teach this inventive approach, but encourage all my clients and friends, whether they are CIOs, small or medium business owners, francise owners or brick and mortar owners to do the same. Together we can master the Internet and profit from the infinite ways which it offers us to redefine ourselves, our companies and our brands.

Its June 2010 now. I just got a new blog.  For the past 2 years I have struggled to find the perfect balance between blog and “blogee”. I think I’ve just found the Web 3.0 I was looking for. In my office, I’m an analyst working inside an educational institution that provides the opportunity for growth and personal development to thousands of young to middle-aged people. Outside my office, I’m in my home office; managing director, biz owner advisor, social media guru, consultant, bonsai newbie and a surprisingly good cook.

Come join me on our journey!