Becoming a freight broker is becoming a matchmaker. Finding the right driver for a load isn’t just lucky. It’s not intuition. It’s a methodical use of data to create a partnership. Freight brokers and data are random – they’re the keys to building a successful brokerage business.
So what data do freight brokers need? How do they organize it? How do they use it?
Freight Brokers Compile Data
Shipper
Every load that a broker assigns to a driver or a trucking company creates data. First, all the data about the client
- Pay rate
- Pick up location
- Delivery location (and possible appointment details)
- Size
- Weight
- Payment terms
- Equipment (trailer) requirements
- Billing information
that shows up on the rate con becomes information that a freight broker can use again. Even if it’s a one-time-only load, knowledge about the shipper may come in useful in the future. Knowing the pay rate can help a broker set a reasonable rate for a future trip. Historical data gives a broker a leg up on finding a good driver for a load. Maybe this shipper won’t have another similar load, but knowledge about these types of loads can transfer to other opportunities.
Trucker
The same with the driver. A trucker who has a load to haul will demonstrate may details that a broker would want to know. Is the trucker
- on time and reliable
- handles communication well
- reports problems quickly
- driving safely
- driving a secure rig
are all details that a broker will want to know. It’s not just the driver’s reputation that suffers when a load isn’t handled well. The freight broker’s reputation is also at risk. If a truck driver can’t deliver on time, it’s like blaming the waiter at a restaurant when a meal is slow in coming. It’s not the waitstaff’s problem usually, but they’re the ones who get the blame.
Freight Data
Most truckers don’t care what they haul, as long as they’re prepared for it. Imagine what a truck driver would think if they pull in with a van and find out they’re expected to haul a refrigerated load.
Some truckers have multiple trailers and can haul a variety of loads. Some companies have different shipping needs during different seasons. Wouldn’t it be great if the broker knew those details?
It’s likely a broker does. The question is how do they use it?
It’s about organization.
Keeping track of random bits of data – who’s got the brain power for that? We’ve got plenty to think about without trying to remember which trucker handled a load a couple of months ago. That’s the value of a system that tracks those details for us.
Instead of tearing our hair out, trying to remember which driver handled a load back in February, wouldn’t it be easier to have a system that you could ask? Spreadsheets and doc files have their place, but in an emergency, searching through them isn’t fast or efficient. It takes time that a broker might not have to spare. Organization isn’t about having all the data online – it’s about having it accessible on demand. Paper spreadsheets and sticky notes aren’t helping anyone build a successful brokerage – they’re stopping it.
With that information, a savvy freight broker can provide a customized service to a shipper. Provide the right trucker who can handle their load – and make a customer for years. That’s how to build a successful trucking business.
This isn’t Tinder or Bumble. It’s not a random choice to swipe right or left. The smart freight broker is looking for the right match because they’ve got the data available to put shipper and driver together. It’s not a random option of many choices. Having the right data to put together a rate con that delivers the goods and creates a positive experience for the trucker builds business for the future.
With great data comes great responsibility. Using data ethically and securely is important to shippers and to drivers. Which is why you need a system that’s secure and organized.
TruckingOffice Brokerage Software
If you’re starting out as a freight broker, there are many details you’ll have to track. That’s why getting a trucking brokerage software is critical from the very beginning of the business. Trying to track everything on paper is one spilled cup of coffee away from a disaster. Spreadsheets, documents, and images that can’t provide the data when you need it are useless, no matter how many hours you spend creating them. Keeping your data on your computer instead of a secure system in the cloud protects your business from first client call until you’ve got the signed BOL from the driver after delivery.
That’s why a dedicated program like TruckingOffice Brokerage is worth the investment. Get organized from the start, tracking critical data that will be used again and again because you can find it when you need it.
Many brokerage software programs cost too much for a new freight broker to afford. Not TruckingOffice Brokerage. You can get started today with a free trial of our software. Nothing hidden, no inaccessible parts of the program. Give it a full try and discover how to jump start your trucking freight brokerage business today!
Recent Comments