Growing your trucking business can be difficult, especially at the beginning when you’re not yet familiar with the ins and outs of the business. Today, we’re going to talk about how an owner-operator can increase their income. You can use all the ways at once, or you can try just a few of them.
Method #1: Cooperate with reliable brokers
The best way to do this is to use https://truckstop.com/. In the Load Board Pro section only those brokers, who have been successfully checked, post ads. The CreditStop Broker section allows further verification of the reliability of the broker. It publishes the rating of the broker and the number of days to pay.
Method #2: Work high stakes, not more hours
Remember that quality is more important than quantity. Newbies believe that increasing the number of hours worked is enough to increase pay. In theory this is indeed true, but in practice it is not. Ultimately, this approach to work leads to emotional burnout and, as a consequence, exactly the opposite effect: a decrease rather than an increase in salary.
Method #3. Seek out and maintain contacts with important people
If you can build long-term relationships with reliable brokers who are the first to call you when they have an order, you’ll always have a truck full and you’ll be paid on time.
Method #4. Minimize dead miles
Dead miles occur when a trucker is forced to drive a truck without a load. In this situation, you spend money on fuel, food and lodging, but you earn nothing. The solution to the problem is to take orders on the way back to base. They may not be very profitable, but it’s better than nothing.
Method #5. Reduce fuel costs
The owner-operator’s main expense is fuel. By cutting costs in this area, you’ll increase revenue. Here are just a few ways:
- Issue fuel cards. It doesn’t matter whether you choose a discount credit card or a loyalty card. In a month you may be surprised at how much you can save with a fuel card!
- Optimize your routes. No one would argue that taking scenic highways is a great way to see the country. But don’t forget that every mile you drive costs money.
- Plan your truck refueling stops wisely. Sometimes stopping just 10 miles early or 5 miles late gives you the opportunity to save some cash on gas.
Other secrets to increasing your income will gladly be revealed by our experts on the course. To purchase it, contact our manager by phone or email.