Cold Calling Shippers

Hey guys and girls,

I been on this forum for a while and read a lot but I did not find this one thing that I would like to ask in this thread. I and my father have been in this business for many years with trucks contracted to carriers. We believe it's time for the next step. Right now we are putting the ingredients together, I am making a list of shippers in my area and the lane I would want trucks to run. We got our authority renewed aswell.

I read that cold calling is a great way to introduce your company to shippers but my 1st question is, what would be a good pitch when calling shippers? If we want to focus on dryvan/reefer and pick dedicated lanes.

Also, when calling brokers off loadboards... how should the communication go? This is when you have a rate to charge in mind.

Any other information related to the first few steps to going independent will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

^ Thank you for the great 1st reply to my post.

I have seen companies that are being dispatched by some manufacturers and the carriers use power only. i really prefer something like this where I would be delivering to stores or business from one manufacturer. But I know they are hard to find.

I don't know how easy it is to get return loads, for example if I go to to Montreal and how drivers are handled. Do shippers tell you how many loads they have to get moved within some period, and you put your trucks and move as much as you can or you only get called once a load is ready to move, and you have to move it? Or is it a mixture of both?

I plan on having drivers move the trucks, does that make anything worse and change my approach with shippers

Please tell me if there is anything else I need to consider before calling shippers/visiting their locations.

Sorry I might be asking dump questions, lots to learn still

 

There was some member on this forum who make a thread with step by step instructions on how he went from being an employ to being independent. If anyone has a link to that, pleas share. It's a very detailed post.

 

I am trying to build a carrier and work directly with shippers or brokers. The thing is as of now we got 5 power units with different carriers and only 2 are running. And we have great work as well, which drivers prefer but we don't save much. Also, my father who has been driving ( not me, I am a full time accountant and student) has been I'll for past 2 years, if you read my previous threads you will now. For next few months I don't think he can drive.

I am tired of all the BS now and really want to step it up. I have decent knowledge about this industry but still need a mentor. Don't know of anyone who can really help me out and lead me... Also trying to build some network.

 

What can I offer the shippers...ummm...reliability and happy service. If my drivers are happy, I will I'll move more loads and make customers more money.