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Freight Broker 911 Training | Guide to Learn Freight Brokerage
If you’re here, it means you are looking for freight broker classes and options so you can learn how to become a freight broker or freight agent. Good news is you’re in the right place if you’re seriously considering joining the shipping industry. So why are people attracted to the $100 billion plus freight brokerage industry?
Fact is, freight brokers can earn an excellent income while working from home, in a growing and recession resistant industry. Personally, I have trained thousands of freight brokers and freight broker agents since 2010.
So, I can safely say that this is the most comprehensive online guide to help you find the best freight broker training program to help you start your own freight broker business.
Reality Check: Not Everyone Learns the Same Way!
Different freight broker training courses can use a variety of teaching styles and very different learning materials. Some people enjoy online courses and training from home. While others need or enjoy participating in an instructor-led freight broker course, typically held offline in a classroom setting.
The last group prefers on the job, hands-on training by taking an entry-level job as a W2 employee at a local freight brokerage.
Each type of freight broker training school has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. So, in this guide, I will describe each of the three different freight broker training options.
I’ll also go over the pros and cons of each, to help you choose the best possible path in your journey to become part of the exciting trucking and freight industry.
In the second half of this overview, I’ll share the most important topics and skills that a good freight broker training program should cover. Then, we will go over what kinds of results you can expect from freight broker training. Last but not least we will dig into a list of FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Top 3 Ways to Get Trained as a Freight Broker or Freight Agent
Option #1 – Online Freight Broker Classes
Online freight broker classes are delivered via the internet, usually in the form of a freight broker course or membership website. You simply log in and access the training 24/7 at your convenience.
The online classes may consist of articles, videos, and other resources. The videos are either pre-recorded or live. An instructor teaches and leads students through the various steps of starting and growing a successful freight brokerage.
Online training usually offers various downloadable and printable resources. You can use them offline while away from your computer.
Things like freight broker forms, freight broker contracts, cold call scripts, cheat sheets, checklists, guides and so on.
Online Freight Broker Training Classes PROS
• Typically, less expensive ($200-$600 range)
• No travel, learn from home
• More flexible with 24/7 access
• Learn at your own pace
Online Freight Broker Training Classes CONS
• Must be self-motivated to login and learn
Concerned that online freight broker training classes are not a good fit for you?
Here are some recent stats you might want to consider.
• 70% of students agree that online classes are better than traditional classroom settings.
• Elearning can help students retain between 25% and 60% more information.
• 95% of online students said they would recommend online education to others.
Click Here to see our Freight Broker Curriculum Information Video:
Option #2 – In Person Freight Broker Classes | Freight Broker Schools
You might decide on in person freight broker training classes at a local college. Or you could travel to a freight broker training school located outside your area.
Classroom training can last a few days to a few months, depending on your needs and budget. Instructors in classroom training deliver the same content as online training. But they do it live and face-to-face in small- to medium-sized classes, typically ranging from 5 to 50 students.
Freight Broker School PROS
• Instructor-led
• Immediate feedback
• Very structured to keep you accountable
Freight Broker School CONS
• Typically, more expensive ($1,000-$5,000 range)
• May have to travel
• May have to take time off work
• You may have to wait weeks or months to get started
Option #3 – On the Job Freight Broker Training
One-the-job freight broker training is exactly as it sounds. You learn by doing. First get hired as an intern, a W2 employee, or even an independent contractor, and you are trained on the job.
On-the-job training typically takes the longest. Mainly because it’s a hands-on, learn-as-you-go style of training. You start by learning and mastering the basics, and over time, your experience level increases as you are exposed to more complex topics. Your progress is based on how well your on-the-job training partner feels you are doing.
On-the-job training may take 6–18 months or longer. It takes a while before you are exposed to all the key skills and lessons needed to become a successful freight broker.
On The Job Training PROS
• Simple way to learn
• Get paid to learn
• Experienced supervision
On The Job Training CONS
• Schedule is fixed and not flexible
• Not everyone is a good teacher
• Need to commute
• Much slower learning curve
How To Qualify A Freight Broker Training Program?
No matter if you decide to take online freight broker training classes or attend a freight broker training school offline, here are a few aspects to consider:
5 Things to Consider When Selecting a Broker Training Program
Cost and investment – Everyone’s budget for starting a freight brokerage business is different. Online courses tend to be more affordable. Classroom, instructor-led courses are more expensive.
How quickly can you start – Most online courses start immediately – as in, as soon as you hit the “Enroll” button! Classroom-style courses may be limited to a few start dates per year. That means you could be waiting weeks or even months to get going.
Does it require travel or time away from work – Online courses can be done from the convenience of your own home and do not require a commute. Most instructor-led courses are offered offline, at an offsite location, which will require travel and time away from home or work.
Experience and background of instructor – Experience is key when selecting someone to teach you a specialized skill like becoming a freight broker. Do your research. Has the person started and grown a successful freight brokerage or freight agency? Find out before enrolling in their training.
Reputation and credibility – Check out reviews for every freight broker course or training option. See how many good and bad reviews, recommendations, or testimonials you find for each broker course and instructor? This can be indicative of the quality of the training you will receive.
Our Freight Broker Online Training Curriculum:
Freight Broker Sales
• How to effectively sell domestic freight brokerage services
• Freight broker sales questions and how to use them to get more shippers
• How to leverage warm calling to get more clients, social media and social selling. As well as how to find and connect with your target market
• Generating a steady stream of warm referrals
• How to use the daisy chain approach to turn 1 shipper into 10 shipping clients
• How to provide accurate and timely freight rate quotes for your clients and prospects
Freight Broker Marketing
• Setting up your freight broker website
• Creating marketing-related documentation like carrier and shipper setup packets
• How to generate leads with online paid advertising
• Generating shipper leads with content marketing
• How to use social media to generate inbound shipper leads
• How to generate shipper leads with offline marketing like trade shows, direct mail, referrals, etc.
Freight Broker Operations
• What freight broker software should you use?
• How does the shipping process work?
• What are the top freight broker load boards?
• The difference between commonly used trailer types like dry van, refrigerated, flatbeds, step-decks just to name a few.
• How to post loads and find trucks with load boards
• How to properly dispatch a driver into a pickup location
• Best way to do driver check calls
• What to do when a driver is delayed or has an issue during transit?
• How to prepare freight bids and freight quotes for various modes of transportation
• How does transportation law impact freight brokers, truck brokers and freight agents?
Freight Broker Financial Management
• The correct way to invoice shippers
• How to ensure you can pay your trucking companies on-time
• How to leverage freight broker factoring to grow your business
• Handling and resolving freight claims
• What is the financial responsibility for freight brokers?