Being a freight broker comes with lots of different benefits, some of which you might be surprised to read about. So, whether you’ve been in the freight transport industry for a long time or are simply looking for a fresh career change, you can discover the five best benefits of being a freight broker below.
Firstly, How Do You Become a Freight Broker?
A freight broker is the ‘middleman’ between the shipper and the freight service provider, taking care of all the communication and solving potential problems. Usually, shippers will look to freight broker agents to find carriers for them.
To become a freight broker, you need to have a license granted by a freight broker authority.
In addition to this, it’s often preferred that you have some form of experience in the industry, although this isn’t always a deal-breaker. Without any experience, you’ll simply have to receive your proper training.
Generally, to be a successful freight broker, you need to be:
- Computer literate
- Excellent at communicating and negotiating
- Good at managing time and staying on-task
On average, freight broker training takes around 30 to 45 days. Considering that it’s an amazing career to have, this is nothing in the grand scheme of things!
Now, you can read all about the five benefits of being a freight broker.
Number 1. Work Independently or for a Company
Recently, the world entered a new era of ‘flexible work’, where entrepreneurism and flexible work schedules have shot to the top. When it comes to the freight broker industry, you typically have two choices:
- Work independently
- Work for an established company
The choice is completely down to you and your career goals. If you want to work for yourself and effectively be your own boss, then perhaps working as an independent freight broker would appeal to you the most. On the other hand, if you want added job security and a pre-established platform to work on, then joining a company would be the better option!
It’s even become common for people to work as part-time brokers. Essentially, they use it as a ‘side hustle’ to earn a little extra money when they’re running another business at the same time – simple.
All you need to do is think carefully about your career goals and whether you want to work remotely or not. This will then help you to make a decision regarding behind an independent broker or an agent that works for a company.
Number 2. Excellent Pay
Whether you work independently or for a freight brokerage company, you can expect to earn excellent pay.
In the US, the average salary for a freight broker is $53,952 if you work for a company.
If you work independently, then the salary you make is entirely dependent on how successful you are. As an independent broker, you’ll make money on the margin between how much you charge to pay the shipper (the customer) and how much you pay the carrier.
It’s worth mentioning, though, that you’ll need official certification to become either of these two options!
Number 3. Low Running Costs
New goods: running your own freight broker business costs very little when put into context.
Because you can work independently from home (or any other location you like), there’s no need to rent an expensive office space or anything like that.
Instead, all you need is a strong internet connection, the relevant devices (laptop, smartphone), and the ability to cover additional costs (like heating and energy if you work from home).
Number 4. No Travelling
When freight agents are communicating between the shippers and the carriers, it’s almost always done over the phone or via Zoom. Very rarely are in-person meetings required, which means there’s no need to travel anywhere. Again, this adds to the previous benefit of low running costs, as you don’t need to worry about the cost of fuel or to have a business car.
Number 5. Have Full Control
If you’re an ambitious individual who likes being in control and getting important business done, then you’ll love being a freight broker agent. During a typical day, you’ll track shipments, keep clients up-to-date on expected delivery times, and answer important queries. It’s incredibly satisfying, especially when big deals and contracts get completed.
As your experience levels grow over time, you’ll become even more of an expert. Soon, everything will be a walk in the park for you, and you’ll be able to find many more clients to offer your services.
