As a freight broker, finding loads is essential to your business. But how do you go about finding them? There are different ways that you can find loads, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we’ll take a look at the different ways that freight brokers can find loads and how to best use them.
Load Boards
One of the most popular ways for freight brokers to find loads is through load boards. Load boards are online databases of trucking loads that are available for transport. You can search load boards to find loads that match your criteria and then contact the shipper directly to negotiate a price.
Free Load Boards
While there are many paid load boards available, there are also some free load boards that you can use. One of the most popular free load boards is Craigslist. However, it’s important to be aware that loads posted on Craigslist are often not legitimate and may not be worth your time.
Free Load Boards
- Craigslist
- loadup.com
- uShip.com
- Freightfinders.com
Paid Load Boards
Paid load boards are often more reliable than free load boards, as the loads are typically vetted by the board before being posted. This can save you a lot of time and hassle in the long run. Paid load boards also often offer additional features, such as load tracking and carrier screening, that can be very helpful.
Paid Load Boards
- DAT Load Board (starts at $39.95 per month)
- Truckstop.com (starts at $39.00 per month)
- 123Loadboard.com (starts at $35.00 per month)
Lead Generation Through Marketing
Finally, you can also generate leads through marketing. This can be done by advertising your brokerage services online or in trucking publications. You can also offer special rates or discounts to attract new clients.
Trucking Publications
- Truckers Report
- Commercial Carrier Journal
- Fleet Owner
- Transport Topics
Inbound Calls
Instead of actively seeking out loads, you can wait for shippers to come to you. This can be done by advertising your brokerage services online or in trucking publications. When a shipper contacts you, you’ll need to negotiate a price and get the load details.
Referrals
You can also get loads through referrals from other trucking companies or businesses that you work with. If you have a good relationship with another trucking company, they may refer loads to you when they’re unable to handle them. This can be a great way to build up your business relationships and get more loads.
Conclusion
So how do freight brokers find loads? There are several ways that you can find them, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we looked at the different ways that freight brokers can find loads and how to best use them. The most popular way to find loads is through load boards. You can search for loads that match your criteria and then contact the shipper directly to negotiate a price. You can also find loads by generating leads through marketing. Finally, you can also wait for shippers to come to you by advertising your services or by getting referrals from other trucking companies. Whichever method you choose, finding loads is essential to your business as a freight broker.