Introduction to Freight Brokering
This introduction serves as an informative guide to what you will need to know to become a Freight Broker. If you are afraid of the phone or do not like to talk on a phone, then this business is NOT for you. A Freight Broker will spend 90% of his/her time on the phone. Cold calling Customers, talking to Customers, talking with Carriers, etc.
With that said, let’s move on to the important things that you will need to know. With the most important factor being Customer Service. It does not matter if you are a Broker or an Agent working for a Broker, If you do not take care of your Customers, you won’t need to worry about finding Carriers. If you do not take care of your Carriers, you won’t need Customers. No Customers, No Carriers, No Business, get the idea?
If you want to open a Freight Brokerage there are several things you will need to do first. You will need to get your Authority, your Bond, your BOC3, your insurance, and your UCR (enforcement for the UCR begins 01/01/2009). Then you will need the proper training to open and operate your Brokerage. Should you desire to be an Agent, you too will need the proper training. You will need to know the same things the Freight Brokerage knows. After all, you will most likely be working under a brokerage. Below are some of the Basic but Important things you will need to know:
The MAIN differences between the Brokerage and the Agent and their responsibilities.
How and where to find Customers. How and where to find Carriers. How to provide the BEST possible Customer Service. The different trailers and what they can haul. What "rates" are and how they are calculated and applied. Loadboards and how they are used. The proper paperwork for both Carrier and Shipper. Special equipment needed for trailers such as tarps, loadlocks, straps/tiedowns, pallets, etc. And last but not least, the legalities attached to Brokering. If you do not know these things inside and out, you are NOT properly trained. Here at A1 Freight Broker Training,
We strive to give you the PROPER training along with CONTINUOUS support.
Thank You,
Jack C. Martin
Owner and Logistics Consultant
A1 Freight Broker Training
Phone: 828-348-4921
You wrote:
"If you are afraid of the phone or do not like to talk on a phone, then this business is NOT for you. A Freight Broker will spend 90% of his/her time on the phone."
How true this is!
A person needs to be 100% honest with themselves right from the start. Otherwise all of the hard work , effort and money invested in their broker training would be a waste.
So ask yourself:
Can I picture myself being on the phone trying to find customers all day long?
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