How To Become A Freight Broker Agent?

With rising demands, more complex supply chains, and the effects of next-day delivery, freight broker agents are increasingly essential. If you are handy with logistics and looking to start your own business from home, consider becoming a freight agent. 

Freight brokers are an integral part of the transportation industry. The freight industry withstood market instability in the last two years and will grow significantly. Working with a transportation company is a prosperous choice in the current climate.

In this article, we'll share where you can find freight broker training schools and how to launch your freight brokerage. We'll detail the responsibilities of a freight broker agent and how to start your agent training. 

What is a freight broker agent?

Freight broker agents are the middleman that connects shippers with freight carriers to have loads moved. Freight brokers can work for a brokerage company or run their own business. In essence, freight broker agents facilitate the shipment and delivery of goods across the country.

A freight broker oversees the shipping process and brokers freight and processes all the legal elements of the transportation. Responsibilities might include:

• Recruiting reliable and efficient freight carriers services.

• Marketing to attract new clients.

• Communicating transport quotes to clients.

• Scheduling orders and deliveries with carriers.

• Carrier monitoring.

• Recording and tracking available loads and carrier onboarding.

• Liaising with clients on shipping status and answering other queries.

• Load tracking. 

• Collaborating with truck drivers to ensure deliveries arrive on time.

• Communicating with carriers, shippers, and dispatchers to organize collections and drop-offs.

• Negotiating prices and contracts.

• Preparing load boards.

Freight forwarders, on the other hand, take possession of the commercial property and arrange smaller shipments. A broker and freight agent do not take ownership of the goods. 

If you're interested in launching your freight brokerage businesses, signing up for freight broker agent training will stand you in good stead for a successful career.

How to be a successful freight broker agent?

It is best to gain as much experience as possible to begin your own brokerage business and operate with success. Get in touch with a local freight broker company and ask to intern there or shadow a successful freight broker. 

Industry experience is the most promising way to get to grips with the shipping industry, transportation management, and how to market your freight. Make sure you take notes of the business structure and how the brokers operate.

However, there are some essential skills you should develop in the meantime to ensure the success of your freight brokering. Work on your creative skills and strategic thinking. 

Agents must be able to problem-solve with innovative solutions to deal with the shipping process. 

In such a competitive and fast-paced industry, you must strategize creatively to ensure you are moving freight as efficiently and safely as possible. Planning and foresight are vital. Similarly, organizational skills are crucial. 

It would help if you had a clear understanding of the schedules of the trucking companies, truck brokers, and motor carriers to ensure the coordination of deliveries on time. You are also in charge of operating capital and financial planning, and strong organizational skills will set you apart from other agents. 

Management skills are also essential to being a successful freight broker agent. You need to become an operating authority and communicate with your clients, customers, and partners. An adept manager won't get overwhelmed by the daily influx of responsibilities. 

To begin your journey to becoming a successful freight broker agent, consider taking an online training course. Training programs provide you with the industry experience, know-how, and skills needed to launch your own freight broker business. 

How much money does a freight broker agent make?

According to the job site Indeed, the average yearly income for a licensed freight broker agent in the US is $51,338 plus commission in 2021. The median commission earned is $28,400 per year. Expected benefits include working from home, flexible hours, health insurance, and paid vacation leave.

A research report conducted by Technavio expects the freight industry to grow 4% between 2020 and 2024 — signs of a flourishing market to launch a business or gain employment.   

How to become a freight broker agent and work from home? 

Anyone can become a freight broker with no experience. To start your freight broker business, make sure you research the startup cost and legal requirements.

There are different paths to launching your broker startup and getting your freight broker license. These typically include:

• Seek experience and training.

• Create a business plan.

• Register and license your business.

• Find suitable carriers.

• Get a freight broker bond.

• File your BOC-3.

• Develop a marketing strategy.

That said, here are four steps you can consider if you’re considering starting a freight brokerage business.

Step 1: Gain experience and training

There are no legal requirements to attend freight broker schools. However, freight broker training will stand you in good stead to launch a successful career. To gain industry experience, write to a local freight broker agent and ask if you can intern with them or shadow them.

A good broker program will teach you the ropes, explain industry trends and provide hands-on industry experience. You will learn the best practices, technical tools, and how to operate your business in the field.

Courses for Success run a Freight Broker/Agent Training Online Certificate Course to prepare you to start your own freight broker business. This comprehensive course covers everything you need to know about becoming a freight broker agent. You'll learn licensing, operations, sales and marketing, and how to run a domestic freight brokerage in the US. 

Start working on your problem-solving, strategy, communication, organization, and management skills. To be a freight broker or freight agent, you need to be confident in your ability to handle a situation. Many jobs or life experiences will give you the transferable skills you need to start brokering. 

You should also start paying attention to online forums or journals specializing in the freight industry. Staying up to date with industry trends, shipping, trucking, and logistics will provide you with the valuable insights you need to start planning your business.

Step 2: Prepare your business

You have to start planning your business model and strategy. Start by coming up with a business name. You need to develop a robust and solid business plan. 

A good business plan will enable you to apply for credit with your bank and help you start on the right foot. Knowing your target clients and niche will assist your marketing plans. 

The more effort you put into your business plan, the better prepared you will be to face heh market and its challenges. The key to success is planning and strategy. 

Get your freight broker bond. You need to obtain a BMC84 bond from the FMCSA, and the license bond is required to get your broker's authority. Check what the bond cost is — the FMCSA raised the surety bond cost in 2013 to ensure high quality and commitment from the broker company.  

Surety bonds are three-party contracts between the FMCSA, freight broker, and the one providing the bond. The bond and broker authority is required to ensure you follow the principles and guidance of ethical freight broker or freight agent work. 

Additionally, it's important to note that shipping container costs can significantly impact freight expenses, with prices fluctuating due to factors such as global demand, fuel prices, and supply chain disruptions.

Step 3: Registering and licensing

You need to register your business. There are four different kinds of business models in the registration system:

• Sole proprietorship.

• Partnership.

• Limited liability corporation.

• Corporation.

Now you have your broker bond, company name, and register with the federal motor carrier safety administration; you need to apply for licensing. 

License and insurances you might need to become an independent freight agent:

• Broker license.

• Cargo insurance.

• Contingent cargo insurance.

• Unified carrier registration.

• Property insurance.

Step 4: Find the right carriers

Now you need to find the right shippers and carriers for your broker business. Follow your business plan to find the corner of the market that you chose. There are directories and networking events you should use to find your shippers with carriers. 

Be careful to select reliable shipping companies that you can trust. If you're eager to start your new freight broker agent career, start by gaining experience. Sign up for broker training today to begin your new business as soon as possible.

Why Courses for Success?

Courses for Success offers over 10,000 online courses, all of which aim to help you in your personal development and career progression. Not only that, but you can also study them anywhere and at any time, and take them at your own pace, too.

You don't need career diplomas or specific experience to get started. From our coding courses and trading courses to design courses and developer courses, every course we offer will help boost your prospects, no matter who you are.

Beyond just the education itself, students will be issued a certificate online after completing each of the learning courses they do. Our online freight broker agent courses are no exception and are recognized by industry leaders. You could make a name for yourself by signing up for a Courses for Success short course today.