White papers for agribusiness purposes are more than just powerful documents on their own. Business white papers can actually serve as effective incubators for all kinds of marketing materials and strategies. After an agribusiness industry company develops a white paper, they can use it as the basis for other marketing and communications channels.

The agribusiness industry and white papers

Suppose you run a seed company that has just developed a modification that’s the first of its kind. The biology is complicated, but the yields have been more than clear. The test plots produced significantly more bushels per acre

Or maybe you’re a food processor with a serious commitment to sustainability, and your production facility’s environmental technology’s advantages been substantial and measurable. You output more food using less water and energy. Could be you’re a chemical company that has formulated a soil enhancement that overcomes challenges with soil in a three-state region.

Agribusiness white paper solutions

The seed company develops a white paper to explain the innovation to its dealers and the farmers they serve. The food processor’s white paper is aimed at customers and industry partners. And the chemical company creates two versions of a white paper — one for growers, and the other for county extension agents and government soil and water agencies.

In an era when there’s plenty of misinformation on topics as far-reaching as food security and animal welfare, white papers give agribusiness industry organizations and industry experts information they’ll find useful.

White papers are versatile

White papers are powerful resources for agribusinesses and the food industry. Companies can use them to educate potential customers about products or services, build trust among sector stakeholders, and generate leads from agribusiness companies. Creating white papers make it possible to accomplish many business objectives, including:

  • Earning a reputation as an expert in your field.
  • Solving a common operations problem among your target audience.
  • Sharing your unique and well-informed perspective on industry trends.
  • Draw potential customers by deepening trust and credibility.
  • Generate leads and qualify prospects.

What makes an agribusiness white paper credible?

Like you, your prospects are hungry for good information, but they’re also busy. On top of that, like most consumers (and even the most business-focused people are also consumers), they’re suspicious of advertising and other efforts that are obviously trying to make a sale. They’re looking for information and would rather not deal with hype.

A white paper is all about information and facts. People read it because they need to know something. Maybe they want to better understand a new food technology they’ve heard about. Perhaps they’re desperately seeking solutions for a resources problem that’s hurting food manufacturers like them. Or it could be that they need support for a recommendation they’re making to their bosses. In all those business situations and more, white papers provide trustworthy information, improving their perception of you and your company.

Don’t confuse with brochures

Brochures are usually colorful and designed to directly sell or promote your product or service. The copy is typically brief, providing just enough information to catch the reader’s attention and motivate them to learn more. In contrast, a white paper is a serious, non-promotional document to give readers the information they need to better understand something, find a solution to a product, or gather evidence to support a recommendation.

Quoting experts ads credibility

Anyone can make a statement and people may or may not believe it. But when readers see a statement attributed to someone they recognize and trust as an expert in the agribusiness sector, it gives that statement more credibility. That’s especially true when the expert you’re quoting is widely acknowledged as an authority on the subject your agribusiness white paper is exploring.

You benefit from their reputation, too

If the those experts are well-known in agribusiness, whether that’s because they’ve published key articles or research or frequently speak at business conferences and workshops, quoting them in your white paper creates a “halo effect” through which their reputation enhances yours. The fact they’re willing to be quoted in your white paper tells readers they have respect for your organization and are comfortable associating themselves with you.