Are you looking for remote Freight Broker jobs? Do you also want to learn more about what it means to be a Broker? If so, you are in the right spot. In this blog post, we’ll answer the following questions:
- What is a Freight Broker?
- Should you become a Freight Broker?
- How do Freight Brokers make money?
- Where can you find Freight Broker jobs?
Let’s start by defining a Freight Broker.
What is a Freight Broker?
A Freight Broker acts as a middleman to arrange the transport of goods by matching available trucks with shipper loads/needs.
They are also responsible for the financial aspects of their brokerage company. To become a Freight Broker you will first need experience. Then you will need capital for the following:
- Training expenses
- Licensing and registration
- Surety bond expenses
- Business insurance
- Software
- Marketing
- Other business expenses
If this seems overwhelming, you may want to consider becoming a Freight Agent instead.
Should You Become a Freight Broker?
Not necessarily. Often when someone calls expressing an interest in being a Freight Broker, it becomes clear they actually want to become a freight agency owner. Freight Agents are not required to have the financial stability a Broker needs to conduct business.
There are key differences between a Broker and an Agent. Essentially a Freight Agent works as an independent contractor from their home or office under the authority of a licensed Freight Broker. Agents find shippers, negotiate fees, and plan pickups and deliveries. They connect loads to trucks and trucks to loads. The brokerage provides financial stability and resources for the Agent.
If you have experience moving freight, a book of business, and plenty of capital to start your own brokerage, you may want to be a Broker. However, if you seek low start-up costs, financial backing, and a support team, being an Agent might be a better fit.
How Do Freight Brokers and Freight Agents Make Money?
To make money, you’ll need sales skills to land customers. Frankly, it takes hard work, perseverance, and consistency. One of the sales methods both Freight Brokers and Freight Agents must master is cold calling. Start with just five calls a day. Then keep increasing the number of calls you make as you gain confidence. If you’re not sure what to say, try this cold call script.
Brokers earn money directly from moving freight and from their Agents’ sales. An Agent earns a sales commission on each load they move. The amount of this commission varies between brokerages.
If you don’t have experience, it is critical you learn about the transportation industry in order to start making money. At Kopf, we highly recommend Dennis Brown’s Freight Broker Bootcamp. While we are not affiliated with this course, we do believe it is one of the very best training programs on the market today. It is affordable and gives you all the tools you need to get started from home.
Where Can You Find Freight Broker Jobs?
Now that you understand what a Freight Broker is, if you really want to become one, one question remains. Where can you find remote Freight Broker jobs? If you are a Freight Broker, you will likely start your own company or brokerage. This means you’ll be working for yourself and won’t need to look for a job.
However, if you want to become a Freight Agent, you’ll seek to work as an independent contractor by looking for a Freight Broker or brokerage to work with. So the question becomes, how do you find a good brokerage?
Be on the lookout for a company that is well established and has been in business for many years. Also, pay attention to their commission rate, if they have commission caps, how they support their Agents, and the tools they provide.
Final Thoughts
As more and more people search for work from home job opportunities, becoming a Freight Broker or Freight Agent continues to grow in popularity. Freight Brokers work remotely by starting their own brokerages and working for themselves, while those who want to become Freight Agents find work from home jobs by searching for a trusted brokerage like Kopf Logistics Group.
With over 300 years of combined industry experience, Kopf Logistics Group is a trusted and established nationwide logistics provider. We equip Freight Agents with the expertise, financial backing, and tools they need to succeed. Some of the benefits our Agents enjoy include our above industry standard 70/30 commission split, dedicated 24/7 support, award-winning transportation management system software, and weekly settlements.
If you are interested in becoming an Independent Freight Agent for Kopf, get recruited! Apply here or give us a call at 574.349.5600.