How to Increase your Chances of Getting High-Paying Freight Loads (2024)

As a trucker, your livelihood depends on the loads you deliver. Whether you’re the owner-operator of your very own single-truck business or the proprietor of a fleet of trucks, you’re always looking for the loads that will pay very handsomely. This is easier said than done. In fact, many trucking companies struggle (and some eventually go out of business) because they can’t always find high-paying freight loads.

It doesn’t have to be this way. While most people think that finding these big-payoff loads is just a matter of luck or chance, there are actually measures you can take to increase your likelihood of scoring these loads. Your Reliable Permit Solutions team would like to give you a few suggestions about where to find them:

Try to look for organizations in the industry you’re interested in delivering for – Industry Associations and Organizations are essentially networks. if you find an organization whose members are made up of your ideal clients, see if you can join them. This is one way of growing your customer or client base. Look for retail store chain clients. Look for an association of retail store chain owners.

Try the Government – If you can, try to bag government contracts. The government is a great client that offers high-paying loads and pays reliably. Government agencies like the Postal Service and the Military are some examples of possible clients.

Minimize the use of Load Boards – Load Boards are free or paid service providers who match shippers and freight brokers to carriers so that they can meet to possibly arrange a freight job. They allow you to search for loads in much the same way as a search engine does by using different criteria and filters. While they seem like a good idea, load boards are actually places where there is a lot of competition, and where profit margins are quite slim. In short, they provide mostly low-paying loads.

Looking for loads that pay well is always going to be a challenge. But if you know where to look, it becomes a lot easier.

Need help with permits? Reliable Permit Solutions can help you get Overweight/Oversize Loads, and Superloads permits. We also offer Route Consulting services and Pilot Car Escort Services if you need them. For more information, call us at (888) 949-4220.

How to Increase your Chances of Getting High-Paying Freight Loads (2024)

FAQs

What freight loads pay the most? ›

What truckload pays the most? Heavy hauls, oversized loads and time-sensitive shipments tend to pay the best. But desperate shippers may pay a premium for standard freight if they're having trouble finding a carrier.

How do freight brokers find loads? ›

How Do Freight Brokerages Find Loads?
  1. Load Boards. This is one of the most common ways brokerages find loads. ...
  2. Referrals. ...
  3. Actively Seeking Out New Shippers. ...
  4. Cold Calls. ...
  5. Warm Calls. ...
  6. Online Tactics. ...
  7. Targeted Marketing Campaigns. ...
  8. Partner with BlueGrace.

How do freight brokers quote loads? ›

That being said, brokers can reach out to their network of carriers and other brokers to get an “in-the-ballpark” per-mile quote. Your shippers will typically give an overall rate, so you will need to do the math on the distance and cost to transport to deliver the load to determine your initial quote.

How to get clients as a freight broker? ›

8 Ways To Find Clients as a Freight Broker
  1. Expand Within Your Clients' Companies. ...
  2. Look Up and Down the Supply Chain. ...
  3. Make Cold Calls. ...
  4. Utilize Social Media. ...
  5. Create a Referral and Rewards Program. ...
  6. Reach Out to Similar Businesses. ...
  7. Offer to be a Backup. ...
  8. Offer a Free Audit.

What type of trucking is most in demand? ›

Long-Haul Trucking Opportunities

With the current truck driver shortage, long haul truckers are in higher demand than ever. In 2023, the average annual salary for long-haul truck drivers is approximately $71,196.

How do I find the best freight rate? ›

To ensure you get the best freight rates, comparing quotes from multiple freight carriers is essential. This involves gathering important information about your shipments, such as origin and destination city/zip code, freight class, weight, and dimensions.

What makes a successful freight broker? ›

To be a successful freight broker, you can't stress about the things you can't control. When an issue arises, act quickly, solve what you can and communicate your solution with all impacted parties.

How to get direct loads from shippers? ›

A load board is a powerful tool that can connect shippers, carriers, and brokers. These online marketplaces allow shippers and brokers to post available loads, which present opportunities for carriers. By using a load board, a carrier can find loads posted directly by the shipper.

How to find potential shippers? ›

How to Find Shippers for Freight Brokers
  1. Leverage Your Existing Network of Shippers. ...
  2. Solicit Businesses in Your Area of Expertise. ...
  3. Offer to be a Backup. ...
  4. Offer Free Audits. ...
  5. Establish a Referral Program. ...
  6. Create a Loyalty Program.

How do I talk to shippers? ›

Explain your services or ask if they're having any logistics challenges you might be able to solve. Even if the answer is no, you can leave your contact information; shippers may reach out later, when they're in a bind.

How to quote truck load? ›

Trucking rates are calculated on a per-mile basis. First, take the mileage between the starting and destination points. Then divide the total rate by the number of miles between destinations to get your trucking freight rate.

How to quote freight? ›

Five key things to consider when calculating freight costs
  1. Freight weight, dimensions, or volume. The volume of the cargo is a critical factor. ...
  2. Shipping origin and destination. ...
  3. Freight class and density. ...
  4. Type of goods. ...
  5. Economic conditions.

How do I market myself as a freight agent? ›

Utilize Facebook Groups and events to network, engage in non-sales conversations, and establish a referral network. Prioritize establishing a brand presence and revenue before investing in Google or Facebook ads, as they require time, expertise, and software for effective ROI tracking.

How do I market myself as a freight broker? ›

Start social media accounts for your brokerage on platforms like Linkedin, Facebook, and Instagram to find potential clients and referrals. Include in your profile bio a one-liner about your areas of specialty, locations you service, and if you have a particular niche e.g. oversized loads to reach your target audience.

How stressful is being a freight broker? ›

Your work as an Independent Freight Agent presents a unique array of stresses. Perhaps the most challenging of them is finding a healthy work-life balance. With only 24 hours in a day, it often feels difficult to successfully juggle relationships, exercise, family, hobbies, and of course–work!

What is the best paying load board? ›

12 Best Load Boards to Use as a Carrier in 2024
  • DAT One.
  • Direct Freight Services.
  • 123 Loadboard.
  • C.H. Robinson Navisphere Carrier.
  • Trucker Path TruckLoads.
  • DOFT Load Board & Truck Loads.
  • Truckstop.com.
  • TruckSmarter.

What is the easiest type of freight to get? ›

Produce is the easiest type of freight to get. It is the job of a freight broker to decide which type of freight will be the most profitable and easily placed by your brokerage.

What transportation company pays the most? ›

10 Best Paying Trucking Companies
#Company (Click For Profile)Annual Pay
1GP Transco$87,723
2Riverside Transport$87,488
3Barr-Nunn$87,142
4Wal-Mart$87,013
6 more rows
Aug 1, 2023

Which truckload carrier makes the most revenue? ›

Leading truckload carriers in North America based on revenue 2022. In 2022, Knight-Swift Transportation generated over 4.5 billion U.S. dollars from truckload services, making it the leading truckload carrier in North America. The second spot was taken by J.B. Hunt, with just under 4.5 billion U.S. dollars in revenue.

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