It's common opinion most ranchers are a few years behind when it comes to technology.

Is this an insult? I don't take it that way at all. Most of us have simply not had the need or time for most of it.

Things are moving so fast these days though that the wise are starting to catch up.

Starting with the simpler things will help many of us see how easy (and profitable) it can be.

Let me help explain with a real life example...

A few months back I was at my neighbors ranch when his mobile phone rang.

He pulled this scraped up little device that must have been five or more years old out of his front shirt pocket.

After his call I asked if he had checked out the newer models. He said the one he had was just fine and he saw no reason to give the phone company any more money.

Fine, I thought. The phone he has serves his purposes and gets the job done for him. I also took a small lesson in frugality from him.

Then I asked how many contacts he had in his phone. He said over a hundred. 

I had to make sure he was aware that he could have his phone backed up daily for two bucks a month in case he lost it out in the pasture or it slipped out of his pocket into a water trough or something. A feature they didn't have five years or so ago when he got his phone.

He didn't seem to want to do it at first, but I told him it was easy and we could do it right now. He handed me his phone and I showed him how.

I had the sense that he he was doing this more for me than him. But a few weeks later when circumstance had it that his phone finally stopped working altogether I'm pretty sure he was glad he spent the two bucks.

The moral of this story is that just because what we've been doing has been working for us doesn't mean there isn't a better or easier way.

Online networking is one of those easy things all ranchers should be taking a look at to increase their reach.

You might be suprised at how simple it all really is after watching this short video on how social networking works and what it can do for you.

Click Here for Social Networking in Plain English Video.

After watching the video, here are the top three things you can do to start growing your network fast at CattleGrower.com (must be a Member and logged in to comment and post)

1. Browse the sight and comment on posts that interest you.
   
2. Use the "Advanced Search" link on the top right of any page to find and connect with others.
   
3. Make your own blog, poll, video, or other posts to attract like-minded people looking for someone like you to connect with. (Use the "My Apps" icon on the top menu bar while logged in for any of these)

If this type of information is helpful to you, or if you have any feedback, please log in and comment below.

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