freight broker or agent training

[Jack and Sharon Martin]

What's the Difference between a Freight Broker and a Broker Agent? And which way is the best way to go?

These are common questions from those interested in this industry. Let's try to shed some light on these questions.

1. A freight broker is fully self-employed and is required to obtain his or her broker authority. A fully self-employed freight broker will do his or her own invoicing to customers and will pay the motor carriers. Essentially, the freight broker is running a complete business.

2. A broker agent works for another freight broker and does not need to obtain a broker authority. The agent works under the authority of his or her freight broker and is not responsible for invoicing or paying the trucks.

There are pros and cons to each option.

First, a fully self-employed freight broker is required to get their broker authority but they retain 100% of the profit on each load. Further, the freight broker is totally responsible for invoicing the customer and making collections as well as paying the motor carriers. Having sufficient capital and good cash management skills are an absolute necessity. Since time is required to run an entire business, the freight broker has relatively less time to search for new customers and find trucks.

Second, a broker agent is not required to get his or her broker authority and, therefore, this option is less costly. But the broker agent splits his or her commission on each load with the freight broker. Most of the agent's time is spent searching for new customers and finding trucks.

Third, most freight brokers are seeking experienced agents. There are a few who will accept new inexperienced agents but these freight brokers are far and few in between. If an agent is new or inexperienced, the freight broker normally does not want to spend a lot of time training or "hand-holding".

To recap, as a broker agent, you don't need your broker authority. You work under the authority of another freight broker. It's possible to begin as either a freight broker or broker agent and then switch to the other. The two fundamental differences are the scope of the duties and responsibilities and the fact that the broker agent does not need their authority.

Regardless of whether you work as a freight broker or broker agent, you may work out of your home. And you will meet and work with customers and carriers over the entire country.

All you need to get started is:


A good computer with a high-speed internet connection,
Preferably two telephone lines (one could be either a cell phone or internet telephone),
A good fax machine,
Proper education and the drive and determination to succeed.

For both freight brokers and broker agents, good, comprehensive training or on-the-job experience is absolutely essential.


Here are a few topics you can expect to learn if you take freight broker or broker agent training:


How to use the Load Boards
How to find shippers
How to search for trucks
How to talk to shippers and dispatchers
How to pre-qualify your motor carrier
How to calculate rates
Step-by-step procedures for booking a load
How to get set-up with your motor carriers
How to monitor and track your loads
How to set-up and manage your information flow

Jack is a logistics consultant with over 25 years' experience working in the transportation industry. To learn more about freight brokers and broker agents, you may visit his website at:http://www.a1freighttraining.com

[Stephen J Rebro Sr]

The Freight Broker Industry is a fascinating subject for me to discuss. I am the GM for a Dump Truck Company near Milwaukee, WI and a few years ago we decided to start a Freight Brokerage Division. Thru trial and error I have learned much about the business and have strong opinions about the industry. I believe my knowledge and experience can help others who are interested in being a broker or broker agent, although I don't think most people who are considering this type of career may welcome what I have to say, but I always believe it is better to be honest about it then it is to sugar coat it. I also think it's important to be honest with your self when one is considering this business.

The Freight Broker Industry offers oppertunities for those who have the right skills and work ethics to perform. In my experience of working with broker agents who all starting out with no or little experience I would say that 90% of them were not successful and many who never moved a load in their first few months. I would like to list what I think are some of the skills necessary for the Broker Industry:
1) Communication (good phone skills a must)
2) Sale Skills
3) Adapt well to fast pace environment
4) Detail orientated
5) Strong Basic math skills (Quick with numbers)
6) Leadership Qualities

I have much more to say but I have to get back to work. Have a great day.

[Jack and Sharon Martin]

Thanks Stephen keep it real you are 100% correct these are 6 things that aperson must have to be a succesful freight broker

[Natalie Ford]

I decided to take the training offered at A1 a few months ago thus, I have personal experience with Jack Martin as an consultant. He told me first and formost "Always deal honestly with your carrier and with your shippers, Customer Service is #1 and will eventually speak for itself."
This type of career is not something you wake up one day and "decide" to do. It takes dedication and commitment - Something unheard of anymore!! There is a "NEW BREED" of broker/agents on the horizon--Educated, Trustworthy, and Honest. I find it a prevailage to move freight for America.
IF YOU GOT IT, A TRUCK BROUGHT IT !!!

[Stephen J Rebro Sr]

Ditto on always being honest with carriers and shippers. There are too many out there that don't understand this. I have zero tolerance for anyone who works under me that isn't honest. When you lie about a late delivery or anything else it's the easy way out and only those who don't work hard enough and take pride in their work will take the path of least resistance. You can't build up a solid customer base or build long term relationships with carriers if you are not honest with them. Customer service is everything. Anyone can have some success in this business for a short time and brag about the money they made ( I've known too many of them) but only those who provide quality customer service will survive in the long run. One of the problems in the Broker industry is that too many brokers and agents are not honest and they force everyone else who is ethical to take due diligence to an extreme just to protect themselves. Anyone in the business who isn't prudent will pay the price eventually. You have to be careful who you work with and do a credit check on both shippers and carriers. The more information you get the better off you will be.

[Stephen J Rebro Sr]

Business is People

Building up a solid relationship with your customers is the sure path to success in any business, and the Freight Broker business is no exception. Providing quality service is first and foremost when trying to build a long term relationship. Also, your customer needs to trust you and feel comfortable working with you. These three components alone will impress your customer and give you an advantage over your competitors. Let’s take a closer look at these three important factors that will help in building a strong working relationship with your customer.

1st) Quality Service

Without quality service you will never build a good relationship with a customer. As I mentioned above this is the single most important ingredient if you want to build a strong foundation that will last for many years. To provide this quality service as a freight broker, you must make a commitment to excellence by paying attention to every detail of each load as if it were your own. When a shipper gives you a load of freight to move, put yourself in their shoes and think like the customer. This is the best way to impress them and ensure that they will give you more business. Your challenge is to move their freight without any problems. The less your customer has to be involved the better you look to your customer.

2nd) Trust

If you continue to give your customer quality service, eventually they will trust you. Trust is not something you gain without effort. You have to earn their trust by proving yourself over time. When it comes to building a solid relationship, you are more than halfway there once you gain their trust. Never take your customer for granted. Be consistent in your service and always stay one step ahead by being proactive. This will remove any doubt about you and the service you provide which will result in a trusting relationship.

3rd) Personal Relationship

Although some customers will not invite a more personal relationship with their service providers, I have found that most of the people you work for will appreciate an occasional thank you card or maybe an invite for lunch, or perhaps a sporting event. There is nothing unethical about getting together with a customer from time to time to reinforce the working relationship by seeing each other face to face. This is a good way to get to know and understand your customer better. When you meet with them keep it professional, and make it clear that your intention is to show appreciation for their business and to take the opportunity to discuss any concerns or ideas that either parties may have regarding the service you provide for them. Most people like to feel important and appreciated. Show them your appreciation and make them feel important, but be genuine. Don’t over do it, and remember that quality service and trust must be attained first.

[Jack and Sharon Martin]

Thanks Agin Stephen you are right on keep puting up the comments that is what I have built this network for a place for Freight Broker an Those in the transportation field to sahre there experince

Jack Martin
http://www.a1freighttraining.com