How to find shippers?

Best advice I have for you is to realize the drivers are doing the actual work when it comes to moving loads so be nice to them. It amazes me how rude a lot of brokers are to drivers when we are the ones who depend on them. Not trying to suck up to any of the drivers because there are plenty of shady drivers too. As long as you are upfront with them and build some good relationships with the ones you use, then you'll be fine.

 

Be persistent.

 

I never can understand why people jump into something ( be it profession , job , repair , hobby, business , whatever ) without learning the basics behind the endeavor before jumping in the water. . Perhaps you should have thought about how to build a list of shippers before jumping into the business.500 bucks for a list might be a good investment. It ain't all that easy, especially if you do not know the trucking industry.All that glitters is not gold, and it is a hard business, especially starting from zero.
Many years ago I remember having a broker tell me the only way for a new broker to get new business is by stealing it. And that is mostly done by cheaper rates to the shippers. Lowest rate gets the load. That usually is not good for the trucker.
Doing 'favors', going the extra mile, providing a service nobody else is willing to do, filling a 'niche', are also ways to get business. But it takes time and experience.

 

Please come back in a year and let us know how you are doing. I really wish you well, but you have bitten off a big bite to chew.You can get experience several ways, and that can get very expensive. Good luck.

 

I've never cooked a thing in my life. Do you think it would be a good idea to quit my job and open up a Brand new restaurant with an applebee's on one side, an outback on the other, and an olive garden across the street? Or perhaps you would suggest I go to work for a few years at an established successful restaurant and learn a bit about the business first?

 

I have a huge list of shippers you can have.