Having started out with only a handful of friends and associates, it certainly is a thrill to see the CatteGrower.com membership break the 100 Member mark.

For those newer members who may not know me yet, this Community was initiated out of my own frustration with not being able to fully connect with others in the Industry. I had a chance to do something about it this past Summer when my primary business (a real estate trade magazine) decided to launch a similar social network for real estate professionals.

With a budget of $150k for the real estate project, I saw an opportunity to leverage the same efforts and technology towards a passion that is equally important to me - breeding cattle.

So far, I'd say the platform has been quite successful with week over week growth of over 25%. But most importantly with the meaningful connections I've made and what I've already been able to learn from others through the Community.

Sure, not everyone I have invited has joined. In fact, I am quite suprised at some of those I know who haven't. Likely you've experienced the same. This does not discourage me and shouldn't you either. Just focus on the ones that you are able to bring in and reach out for others who join whom you didn't know before.

As the community grows, so too will your connections, knowledge, and as a result, business. I personally have met and established connections with more people in a week through CattleGrower.com than I had previously all year. How about you? This is Networking 101 - As far as the others who are resistant to come along, you know the saying about leading a horse to water.

Inviting your outside contacts in to the Community, while not critical to your success here, is important. When they join they bring firends and you get to connect with them. Sort of like a Pyramid program, but no one loses in the end. The best strategy for these would be to simply show them.

A perfect example would be to share with them your photo album along with a note about how easy it was and the new connections you are making at CattleGrower.com - Just know that an an Early Adopter like you stands the most to gain and Johnny-Come-Lately's usually miss the best part of the pig.

While it isn't a requirement to encourage your contacts to join the Community. As a Member with a vested interest who enjoys the contacts others are working to bring it, it is more of a moral obligation to do the same. I can't personally sit by, especially in my position, and watch others work hard to grow the Community without doing everything I can to reciprocate, despite how well the Community may be growing without my help.

Through a friend of mine, who is in the Cattle Industry, and who also runs a significant email list of Cattle Producers, arrangements have been made for an e-mail to go out on Wednesday to several thousand other producers. This is a small test run, and if it works well we will do more.

At the risk of setting myself up for failure in your eyes I am sharing this with you for a few reasons:

1. Although we only expect, and need a handful of these people to join (25-50), several thousand should be viewing the site.
2. Notice to you seems proper so you can have anything your working on in place for the "visitors" to see.
3. While most will not be interested in joing the Community, some may be interested in your Operation.

Again, while part of the original plan to do these types of things, we are just beginning to test the waters. Whereas I have over a decade's worth of experience marketing to real estate professionals, I only have a few weeks of the same to Livestock Producers.

As such we do not expect to be very successful at first. Hopefully what is important to you is the effort that is being made and knowing that there is firm commitment to the Community you are helping to build.

One last thing to help with motivation for the Community... When you have a moment please visit www.BrokerAgentSocial.com to see what is possible here. This Community is the one I spoke of earlier and it just launched a week ago Saturday.

Not just me, but the same people and resources behind BrokerAgentSocial.com are behind our Community here. Even so, as a Charter Member we won't be able to do it without you.

Many more things are lined up for this community: Groups, Video, Articles, etc. but we need to get the numbers up a bit first. Here are a few things you can do to contribute:

1. Invite, (But Don't Hound) Your Contacts to Join. Remember, their contacts can eventually be yours. Plus it is the best way to reciprocate the efforts others are making.

2. Get Active! Simple, but meaningful things go along way.. Like voting on a Poll AND leaving a comment. here is one I would really like to hear from you on http://www.cattlegrower.com/CheyenneOutlaw/polls/11/

3. Explore Other's Profiles. Especially new members. A simple hello, and welcome to the community goes a long ways - Besides, you never know where it might lead. Again, Networking 101

4. Start a Blog, Put up Pictures of Your Show String, etc., etc. Remember that this network is indexed by the search engines. Because of its relatively large size, as compared to most sites, You have a better chance of being indexed here than on your own web site.

4. Stay Informed about What's Happening in the Community. Probably the best way to do this right now is to subscribe to my Blog so you receive notice when something new is posted here. If you'd like to do so, simply use the link underneath my picture above and to the right.

Looking forward to more continued growth and success with you. And certainly, feel free to leave a comment below with any thoughts or ideas you may have.

Blogs are a powerful way to share your thoughts with others, grow your network and increase your market presence.

Unlike email, static web postings, or other forms of one-way communication - Blogging on CattleGrower.com will allow you to open up a chain of dialogue for other members to comment on and review.

Before you post on your Blog, below are six principles that may help you get more views, readers and comments.

1. Put Some Thought and Effort Into Your Posts. There are many things you can write about: your operation, events, personal experiences, other members, merkets, etc. If you invest a small amount of time thinking about your post and your readers, their perceptions and what you are trying to get across, the better your posts will be. Always remember that your post will be there for all the world to see unless you deside to delete it.

2. A Great Title for Your Post: Coming up with a good title is often times over-looked and under-estimated. Put some time into creating a title that grabs the readers attention, but is also on course with your subject. If readers like your title, they will be more inclined to open it.

3. Pleasing to the Eye: Your post needs to be on point, not much longer than 1,000 words, pleasing to the eye and easy to read. Rule of Thumb: Try not to have more than 3-5 lines of text before you have a paragraph break..

4. No One-Liners: It's unlikely that you'll get any value from your posts that are only 25 words or less.  You need to be able to engage your readers without teasing them in a short post, or boring them with a long one. Readers can tell a lot about you by your posts. Your intelligence, your intentions, and your personality.  Also don't forget to preview your post and double check for typos.

5. Quality Content: This is essential in creating a good post, and more importantly, creating comments and returning viewers. Your content must look, feel, and flow smoothly, but also take your readers to a final ultimatum.  They'll either just read it, or read it and comment. Ultimately, you want them to also subscribe to your Blog and add you as a contact.

6. Use Links, Bullets, Numbered Llists, Graphics and Font Syling Where Appropriate: All of these features are available through CattleGrowr.com and should be used to carefully enhance the view and attractability to your post.. be careful not to over do it and remember to keep graphics proportionate to your text and content.  Using relevant links to other posts, events, etc. within or outside of CattleGrower.com will increase your "Exchange in Value" on your post when done correctly and in moderation.

- To understand the guiding principles behind CattleGrower.com please see Guiding Principles for CattleGrower.com
- To start using CattleGrower.com today please see 3 Easy Steps to Start Using CattleGrower.com

Special Note: The CattleGrower.com network is extremely dynamic and robust. If you should find additional needs such as new category or profile fields to better represent you and your discusions anywhere throughout the network please comment on this blog below.

1. Sign-up and create your profile.

Initial Sign Up: During the sign up process you are asked a few select questions that are important to the network to identify you. Only primary profile questions important to the network are required. All other fields are optional and at your discretion. In no event will any of your contact information be shared with any third party for any reason.

Your User Name: When creating your user name be mindful that this will compose part of a direct link to you at CattleGrower.com For example, with a user name of CheyenneOutlaw your inque link to your profile will be www.CattleGrower.com/CheyenneOutlaw.com

Your Photo: During your sign up you will have the option to upload a photo as part of your profile. First impressions are important as you will be immediately featured within the network as a new member. if at all possible be sure to upload a picture of yourself, your brand, your prize bull, or something else professional and unique to you.

Additional Profile Fields: After you sign up be sure and re-visit your profile field by using the "Profile" tab in the top menu bar. Here you can ensure all your original entries are correct and have the opportunity to share more about yourself.

2. Explore CattleGrower.com.

No Experience Required: With just a few clicks around the site you will quickly be up to speed with the various features and elements of the network.

Basic and Easy to Use: You will find there are only a few areas and tools within the platform (modules). This initial design was intentional to keep the network easy to understand and non-intimidating for its members to use during its infancy stages.

Several more modules are already built in to the platform and will be turned on as the network evolves. You will be notified when any new feature is available and given proper instructions on how to use them.

3. Start Earning Points.

CattleGrower.com has a unique point reward system. Points are awarded based on most any activity you perform within the network. More points are awarded for major activities such as referring friends, posting events, etc. 

Points will allow you to gain status within the network, "purchase" promotion for your blogs, events and other listings. You will also be able to redeem points for various promotions.

To learn more about points click the "My Aps" tab in the menu bar after you sign up.

Status: Your point accumulation and activity within the network will also determine your "status" within the network: Yearling, Junior, Senior, Champion, Grand Champion and National Champion. Immediately after completing your profile you wil be classified as a "Junior".

We're happy to have you consider CattleGrower.com and hope to welcome you as its newest member.

- To understand the guiding principles behind CattleGrower.com please see Guiding Principles for CattleGrower.com
- To learn the benefits of blogging on CattleGrower.com please see: 6 Tips to Create an Effective Blog on CattleGrower.com

1. The CattleGrower.com community rests entirely with its members. We admire the spirit of livestock producers and believe our goal is to fully engage their talents and knowledge for the benefit of all members of the cattle industry community.

2. We believe the divide is increasing between traditional and forward thinking Livestock Producers. CattlGrower.com is dedicated to shrinking this divide by facilitating a knowledge base of its members for the benfit of all where even the most experienced in their field will stand to learn and gain by sharing with others.

3. We believe sound livestock management processes are a positive force for social good. CattleGrower.com is committed to empowering Livestock Producers to become as efficient and profitable as possible while serving the ultimate end user (consumers) in superior fashion.

4. We welcome the active participation of all Livestock Producers, irrespective of their operational size or affiliation with industry groups or trade associations. CattleGrower.com believes a vibrant and diverse livestock community is essential to maintaining a strong organization.

5. We believe the constructive dialogue at CattleGrower.com will foster transparency among Livestock Producers about the industry. CattleGrower.com will strive to play a key role in demonstrating the integrity and professionalism of those engaged in our industry.

6. CattleGrower.com prides itself on editorial independence. We believe that an open, free exchange of ideas is our primary reason for being. We are not captive of any point of view or agenda – other than to advance the interests of of Livestock Producers.

7. CattleGrower.com encourages dissenting or contrarian points of view because our industry is better served by continually examining the status quo. Challenging conventional wisdom is often essential for the evolution of our industry and the development of new opportunities.

8. CattleGrower.com believes in spirited discourse, but personal attacks or predatory behavior will not be tolerated. Respect and civility are the shared values that unite all of us.

9. We do not stand on ceremony or hierarchy. CattleGrower.com is a two-way street. We believe that a continual conversation with our community is critical to our continued growth and vitality. We are fully committed to incorporating member feedback and ideas to improve CattleGrower.com. 

10. We believe it is in the best interests of Livestock Producers to build a community that is focused on educating one another. CattleGrower.com believes its future depends on members of all experience levels openly sharing their experiences and best practices with others in the field.  This communal dialogue offers a unique opportunity for professional growth and is the way to share in the dynamism and excitement that constitutes the modern cattle industry.

- To start using CattleGrower.com today please see 3 Easy Steps to Start Using CattleGrower.com
- To learn the benefits of blogging on CattleGrower.com please see: 6 Tips to Create an Effective Blog on CattleGrower.com