This is a resource dedicated to the topic of training freight brokers. For the last ten years I have trained more than 8,000 freight broker agents and freight brokers. I’m sure that you will obtain here the exhaustive information to help you choose the most suitable broker training option.
People differ in their learning preferences. Someone likes to read, and watch online videos. The other shows better results in onsite classroom learning supervised by a mentor. And the third group of people would find it best to train at an initial-level job position at a local freight brokerage. Each option with its pros and cons will be reviewed separately in this post.
In the second part of the post I will discuss the main issues and skills of a freight broker to be embraced by this training course. As we move further, we’ll see what expectations and training deliverables you may have at the end of the term and answer the most frequently asked questions.
There are 3 modes of training to become a Freight Broker or a Freight Agent
- Online training
The learning process may be an online course transmitted via Internet or hosted on a website where you can log in to and obtain the serial of training any time when you please round-the-clock.
Learning online offers a series of resources – texts, videos, printed or downloadable, streamed or recorded as it is the case with videos, the access to them being retained as well offline. For example, such materials like forms, contracts, checklists, cheat sheets, guidelines, etc.
The mentor supports and supervises the future freight brokers through all stages of the educational process.
Advantages of online Freight Broker Course
- Quality at a lower price
- Remote
- Optional learning hours
- Individual deadlines
- Mentor support and employment options after graduation
Disadvantages of online Freight Broker Course
- High motivation is required
Eager to watch how our lessons are going on?
Below is a visual presentation aimed at the Freight Broker Training members only.
Click here for more information about online training by a leading freight broker in the US.
- In-class training also known as freight brokers school
It’s up to you to decide whether to apply for training at a local college or at a distant specialized school. The same things are taught in the classroom as they are taught online. The only difference is that in-class teaching is delivered in a living presence and gathers small and medium groups of 5-50 students.
Advantages of Freight Brokers School
- Instructor supervised
- Prompt feedbacks
- Structured content for easier comprehension
Disadvantages of Freight Brokers School
- As a rule, higher in cost (ranging from 1,000-5,000$)
- In-class
- Takes time outside working hours
- Slow-paced
Getting trained on the job at a freight brokerage
You are employed at first as a trainee or W2 officer, or an independent contractor and undergo training on-site at your workplace.
On-site training takes the longest period, from 6 to 18 months in general, because it is on the go, starts from the simplest things and proceeds to more responsible tasks. You are evaluated according to your trainer’s judgment. But for this term you cover all in-demand skills necessary for a successful career of a freight broker.
Advantages of Training on the job site:
- Easy way to learn
- Paid internship
- Professional coaching
Disadvantages Training on the job site:
- Fixed schedule
- Not everybody is a born teacher
- Need to attend live classes
- Significantly slower pace of learning
Training of Freight Brokers in 2022
It is worth noting that the corona pandemic has turned our lifestyles for the better and freight brokers are not an exception.
As far as in 2022 the most common training format is online, because it is safer, healthier, and more money-saving. Lockdowns, on the contrary, don’t allow training at a job place. They make it troublesome as more precautions and measures, preventing contamination, should be observed. But in case you feel yourself strongly motivated and want to be more engaged in a process, then a freight broker school and on-the-job-site training would be better to opt for.
How To Evaluate A Freight Broker Training Program?
Regardless of the chosen training format – whether it is online or at a local freight brokerage – explore the freight broker training program before enrolling. There are several highlights to observe:
Five Things You Should Consider When Qualifying a Training Program for Freight Brokers
Price and budget – everyone has their own budget limits, the online mode tends to be cheaper, but in-class courses under supervision of an instructor turn out to be more expensive.
How soon can you get on to – most online courses are launched instantly. In-class mode courses have several launching dates per year. The intervals between them could be weeks or months.
Is there a need to commute or make time outside the work – online style courses don’t require travel, but instructor-supervised offline courses located at a distance force us to regularly commute.
Trainer’s qualification and expertise – expertise is decisive when choosing a teacher for something specialized. Before starting, explore the person’s background, whether he/her succeeded as a freight broker/agent or not.
Trust and reputation – research the feedback, find out how much of it is positive or negative, any possible references you can manage to source. These things could shed light on the quality of training.
Modules to study:
The discipline has many areas to learn and specialize in. There is no need to cover them all, but being a good freight broker or an owner of a business, one has to know and understand various aspects of freight logistics perfectly.
Basic things to startup
- License requirements
- Application for freight broker authority and freight broker bond
- Finding a job as an independent freight agent clients without experience and clients
- Starting home office for a freight broker/agent
- The kinds of insurance freight brokers require
- Tips for setting goals
Sales Operations
- Cold calling to new shipping clients
- Sales communication and how to make the most of it to attract more clients
- Making use of warm calls for customer acquisition, social networks and social selling for building links with a target market
- Getting the influx of warm recommendations on a stable basis
- Chain of actions to get ten clients out a one
- Accurate and on-time freight quoting to existing and potential clients
Marketing Operations
- Creating a freight broker business website
- Content placement techniques to attract prospects
- Using social networks to attract the incoming prospects
- Generating leads involving the offline marketing tools such as trade fairs, direct mailing, referrals and others
Freight Brokerage Operations
- Freight broker’s software you need to install
- The best load boards
- The distinctive features of such popular trailers like dry van, refrigerator, flatbed and step-deck
- Load posting and finding load board trucks
- Peculiarities of sending a driver to a loading site
- Tracking of the drivers with calls
- Plan of actions in case of problems or driver’s delays during transportation
- Filing up for freight and quoting for different kinds of transport
Managing finances
- Duly billing/invoicing
- Providing on-time payments to trucking companies
- Making use of someone else’s money to boost your own business by means of factoring
- Dealing with claims without financial losses
Imagine you have your ideal freight broker school in your area or found the most suitable training courses on the internet. What prospects await you if you study diligently?
FAQ section
So far I suppose you have already made your choice – whether it would be a broker school, online courses or a practical training at your workplace. If you should have any other questions you may check with the list below, which contains the most common of them.
Is it possible to study from home?
You can start a remote freight agent/broker training. The only things you should have are a PC, steady access to the internet and eagerness to learn.
Can I have my own schedule?
With training online for sure. You can run through material at any time to your convenience. But if you decide to attend live classes or on the job training then you won’t have such flexibility. In-class training is usually fixed in time and on the job training demands to commute and a full-time presence.
Will I obtain my certificate once I get finished with the course?
Being a certified freight broker is not mandatory according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). But many freight broker training courses provide a certificate document at the end of the learning period.
Why are online classes cheaper than freight broker schools?
Online training doesn’t require salary payments to instructors, rental and arranging of premises for the study process, it is easier to arrange. That’s why it costs less as compared to physical attendance of classes.
I would prefer an online program but I need extra supervision. What to do in this case?
The benefit of going to study online is the ability to follow courses at any time and pace, but it lacks additional supervision. If you need more guidance and verification control then live classes are best to go for.
I’m looking for my team training. What strategy is best to choose?
Depends on what your agents prefer. Whether they want to learn from home or attend a freight broker school. Next important points are the cost of training and the size of your budget.
I’m a truck driver or an owner operator. Can I become a good freight broker/agent?
Definitely I can say the freight broker training will be helpful to make better use of your existing experience acquired as a truck driver, multiply it and increase your income.
What is the cost of a freight broker/agent training program?
The cost for online learning mode is within the range of 200-500$. Visits to a local freight broker school will cost you from 1000$ to 5000$. Training at a workplace pays off with a salary, but has fewer learning opportunities and the process may take longer time.
How much does a freight broker/agent earn?
Freight agents in a top-level position can earn from 100,000 upwards to 500,000 each year. About 80% of them work remotely.
Working as a freight broker can be profitable. As for me I have made over 200 million dollars on sales at my privately-run freight brokerage.
Anyway it is worth understanding that irrespective of the training mode you have chosen, a solid business doesn’t appear out of nowhere and requires serious attitude, contribution with time, resources and budget. Otherwise you gain from it nothing else but a hobby. One more piece of advice is to find a person, who has already succeeded in what you are just starting off and learn as much as possible.