5 ways ag leaders build trust on LinkedIn

Are you tired of watching tech companies dominate social media while agriculture stays silent?

Here's the truth: your customers, partners, and community want to hear from YOU. They want to know the real people behind their food, the science behind your decisions, and the passion driving your work. But most ag leaders think social content is just for influencers and big brands.

Today, I'm going to show you 5 proven ways ag leaders use LinkedIn to build genuine trust, and the massive benefits that follow.

Let's dig in!

Trust is everything in agriculture, and it's getting harder to earn.

Consumers are asking tougher questions about their food. Partners want transparency before they invest. Employees want to work for leaders they believe in. And competitors who build trust first are winning the biggest opportunities.

Social content isn't just nice to have anymore, it's how modern ag leaders stay relevant. When you share your knowledge and experience online, you become the go-to expert people turn to. That means more referrals, better partnerships, and top talent wanting to work for you.

The companies ignoring this shift are going to start getting left behind.

This is where most ag leaders get it wrong. They only share what they do, not why they do it.

Your audience doesn't just want to know you planted 500 acres of corn. They want to understand why you chose that variety, how you're managing soil health, and what it means for next season's crop.

Here's what this looks like in practice:

When you share your reasoning, people understand your values and expertise.

Perfect posts don't build trust. Honest ones do.

Agriculture is messy, unpredictable, and full of challenges. Your audience knows this because they live it too. When you only share the wins, people assume you're not being real with them.

Share the problems you're solving, the mistakes you've made, and the lessons you've learned. Talk about the weather challenges, equipment breakdowns, and tough decisions that keep you up at night.

This doesn't make you look weak. It makes you relatable and trustworthy.

You know more about agriculture than 99% of your audience, but that doesn't mean you should dump everything at once.

Break complex topics into simple, digestible pieces. Use analogies that non-farmers can understand. Explain the "so what" behind industry trends and new technology.

For example, don't just say "We're using cover crops." Explain it like this: "Cover crops are like a winter coat for our soil, they protect it from erosion and add nutrients for next year's crop."

The goal is to make people smarter, not confused.

Posting once and disappearing won't build anything. Posting just to post isn't the answer either.

Find a rhythm that works for your schedule and stick to it. Maybe that's three times per week, maybe it's daily. The key is showing up regularly with content that matters to your audience.

And here's the most important part: sound like yourself. Don't try to write like a marketing agency or copy someone else's style. Your unique perspective and voice are what make you trustworthy.

People connect with people, not perfect corporate speak.

This is where the magic happens, turning connections into real business relationships.

Don't just post and disappear. Respond to comments, ask questions, and engage with other people's content. Share insights from your network. Tag people when you mention their work or expertise.

When you actively participate in conversations, you become part of the community instead of just broadcasting to it.

Ready to start but stuck staring at a blank post? Here's are some ideas for different audiences.

For farmers and growers, post about:

For ag suppliers and manufacturers, share:

For ag leaders and executives, focus on:

Quick posting rules that work: Start each post with a hook question or bold statement. Use simple language, avoid jargon unless you explain it. Include one photo when possible (people, equipment, or results work great). End with a question to spark comments.

Post 2-3 times per week consistently rather than daily for a month then disappearing.

Most importantly, be patient. Trust isn't built overnight, but every authentic post gets you closer to becoming the leader people turn to for expertise and partnerships

Our industry needs more authentic voices sharing real stories and honest insights.

The question is: will you be one of them?

If you're looking for someone to write LinkedIn content for you, to help you build trust and your personal brand, reply with a 👻. Let's talk.

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