Finding the best-paying freight loads to haul is the most important job for any owner-operator or small fleet owner. If you own a trucking company, this can often be seen as the most challenging aspect.
As a trucker, you’re always looking for ways to maximize your profits. One of the best ways to do this is by finding high-paying freight loads. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to find these types of loads. But with a little effort, you can increase your chances of landing some lucrative freight.
One of the best ways to find high-paying loads is to network with other truckers. Talk to your fellow drivers and ask them where they’ve been finding the best-paying loads. You can also check out online trucking forums and see what other drivers are saying about recent load offers.
How to Get High-Paying Freight Loads
Another good way to find high-paying loads is to contact shippers directly. Many shippers post their freight needs on online load boards, but you can also reach out to them directly and inquire about any current or upcoming needs. By contacting shippers directly, you’ll be able to get a better sense of their shipping needs and rates.
With a little effort, you can find high-paying freight loads and boost your trucking profits. By networking with other drivers and contacting shippers directly, you’ll be able to find the best-paying loads and keep your trucks moving profitably.
Due to a lack of knowledge of how to find good loads, many truckers and owner-operators fail.
Learn how you can find high-paying loads. You will discover the following:
- Are load boards worth it?
- What type of client do you want?
- How to find shippers that pay well
- How to sell your services to shippers
- HM Government moves tons of freight
- Should you work with freight brokers?
- A simple strategy to find loads and get you started
- Avoiding cash flow issues from new clients
Are load boards worth it?
New truckers tend to rely solely on load boards or jump from broker to broker to find loads. Running or growing a trucking company in this way is ineffective. Load boards pay the lowest miles per dollar and are highly competitive.
If you are just starting out, some load boards can be useful. However, be sure to use them carefully. It is possible to receive loads that pay less than your cost per mile.
What type of client do you want?
Define the type of client you want before you start looking for high-paying loads. It depends on the industry you support and the lanes you intend to work in to determine your ideal client.
Owner-operators often skip this step, thinking it is not necessary. What is the point of writing down a good load or client when they know when they see one?
It is clear what you want once you know who your target client is. Having this information also helps you devise a strategy for finding them. This requires only a minute or two of your time.
A trucker’s ideal client is described here. Feel free to add or remove items according to your needs:
- A large, established shipper
- Pays well
- Pays on time
- Provides quick pays
- Has a good reputation
- Gives you loads regularly
- Provides shipments that match the lanes you want to drive
There is no such thing as a perfect client, but you can find ones that are very good and pay you well per mile. This is the only way you can make your trucking business successful in the long run.
How to find shippers who pay well
You need to find your perfect shipper now that you know who it is. Finding clients is easy if you go to the places where they congregate.
When you join industry associations with local chapters in your area, for instance, you can often find good clients. And I am not referring to the trucking industry. Those are competitors, not clients. The associations you should be joining are ones that your target market belongs to. Your business can grow through these associations.
Some examples
Consider joining a local association of retailers if you are interested in acquiring retail store clients. If a trucker goes to produce markets or wholesalers to find reefer loads, on the other hand, he has a good chance of finding solid clients.
To move cars, you might also be interested in joining organizations that represent automobile dealerships. You get the picture. There are associations or organisations for almost every industry. That is where you need to be. It will give you a competitive advantage over your competitors, since few truckers actually follow this process.
Moreover, you don’t have to limit yourself to the mainstream industries – examine the local industries that are under-served and could benefit from your services. It makes sense to target those industries, since they offer the best shipping rates.
A tip about industry associations
The only companies that can join many industry associations are those that work in that industry. In many cases, they will also accept companies from related industries. It’s a great way to get in. Using this approach, you can meet their members and determine whether you can help them with their transportation needs.
Last but not least. Public lists of membership information, including names, phone numbers, and email addresses, are available in many industries. Building a prospect list from these lists makes sense too. Be careful and professional when using them.
It is time to start working on your list of prospects once you have it.
How to sell your services to clients
We’re going to do what the majority of your competition dreads: we’re going to sell. End of story. Nothing can be done about it. It’s pretty straightforward, but the process varies.
Speak with the person responsible for shipping at prospective clients. Make an appointment. If you are unsuccessful, write to them. To get on that list, you must determine how they select their carriers.
Simple? Yes. Easy? No way. In spite of this, you have a high chance of success: while your competitors use load boards to chase freight loads, you are securing prime clients to bring you high-paying freight loads.
Tons of freight are moved by the UK government
Don’t forget to move freight for the HM Government as well. You can expect regular payments and regular work from the government. Getting government contracts can be challenging, but it’s worth the effort.
Take the postal service as an example. You will always be busy sending mail. Consider getting on the GSA list or finding ways to move military freight. There may be special clearances required for military freight, but some truckers report that they receive good pay for it.
Visit Contracts Finder for more information.
Should you work with freight brokers?
Your trucking company will keep moving during slow periods if you have a couple freight broker contacts. Freight brokers, however, can be expensive. The revenue will be split between you and them, so you likely won’t earn as much as you would if you pulled freight directly for shippers.
When searching for good and reliable brokers, bear in mind that finding direct shippers can be just as challenging. They will, however, offer higher rates.
A strategy to find loads and get you started
Finding and working exclusively with your own shipping clients is the best long-term strategy to build a profitable trucking business. Make it your top priority. However, it’s not your only objective.
Determine which freight brokers would make good potential partners. When times are slow, freight brokers can fill your schedule.
Last but not least, consider using a load board. As load boards compete for your business, you won’t get paid as much as direct shippers and brokers. It is possible to use load boards as a short-term solution while you build other, more profitable sources.
Seasoned professional with a strong passion for the world of business finance. With over twenty years of dedicated experience in the field, my journey into the world of business finance began with a relentless curiosity for understanding the intricate workings of financial systems.