A freight broker matches empty trucks with company merchandise that needs to be transported from one point to another. A freight broker does not own the transport trucks but negotiates a fee he charges manufacturers and distributors to find transportation, then negotiates a lower fee he will pay trucking companies or independent drivers to transport the merchandise. You can work from home with an Internet connection and a dedicated fax line by building a strong customer base. The customer base comes from job boards, trade publications and word of mouth. You must be licensed, insured and bonded, and you must be dedicated to the business so your client base stays strong.

Things You Will Need

  • State and local licenses

  • Bonding

  • Brokering software program

  • Telephone service

  • Fax machine

  • Business references (optional)

Join free freight boards, such as Truckbuzz.com and Landstarbroker.com, to register your company and make contacts. Some boards offer a free trial membership for the first 30 days. If the free boards do not work well, consider trying a paid membership board.

Peruse the job board for shippers in your area or where your trucks are located. Consider the destinations as well as the departures to set up the trucks with a return load.

Fax any paperwork required by the shipper to its office, and notify the carrier company or independent driver. Negotiate a return load as quickly as possible so there are no layovers for your drivers.

Create a freight auction on freight boards such as FreightbrokersUSA.com. Allow the carriers to bid on the cargo, so you get the lowest price possible for reliable transportation.

Generate a carrier auction to let in-need shippers know your trucks are available in their area. You may find distributors of time-sensitive freight, such as produce, will bid to get their product to market.

Tip

Consider offering partial-load accommodations to small shippers when you have an empty truck on the road. Check with message boards and classified ads on websites such as Owner Operator Independent Driver Association, or OOIDA.com, for customers in need of your services.

Warning

Maintain a high level of professionalism when dealing with all distributors, whether large or small. Your business success depends upon your reputation and the professionalism of your drivers.