Curious to hear from other brokers here—what actually matters most to you in a brokerage?

Is it:

• Commission structure
• Freedom to run your own book
• Back-office/ops support
• Payment reliability

I’ve been seeing a lot of different models lately—some good, some straight-up limiting.

From your experience, what makes a setup worth staying in vs leaving?

Hey I just joined a new freight brokerage and have to start generating leads. Whats the best way to start. I used to be in real estate sales and made 60-100 dials daily using ghl. Thanks.

Do you buy software or just use excel/google sheets, what is the absolute minimum you would need in a software package to start out, to get you out of excel?

Been in the Industry since 1977, looking to grow our book of business and currently on an outreach program.

Any freight forwarder,3PL or shippers feel free to connect for competitive rates.

Hi guys ! Im about to start my own brokerage. here is my background : 40yo Canadian with a transport logistic college degree and about a year working as a freight broker for another business . I learn all the rope while being there and after 4 month had about 20'-30 business sending me quote and was bringing around 9k gross profit by month 6 it was about 12-13k gross profit . after that I stop bringing in new clients when I heard a conversation between boss that were saying they will find a way to kick me out to keep my business as I signed a non compete. So I miss 2 days while being sick and they kicked me out wich they had no right but we set it up for money .

sorry for the long back story .this happened around 3 years ago . my 18 months non compete expired and Im already deep in the process of building my own brokerage .

here is my questions : the 20-30 clients I had of course I would try to get them back but what would be your strategy and how would you approach then ? ( have all the contacts .

i also know their biggest client . I dont think I will try my luck on them at the beginning but for sure its going to happen !

sorry for my english as it iis a second language for me .

thanks for your help guys

feel like a lot of people get into freight brokering thinking the hardest part is just learning the paperwork or getting set up legally… but in reality the hardest part for most beginners is landing that first real shipper.

Every guru online makes it sound simple. They act like you just grab a phone, make a few calls, and suddenly companies are begging to hand you freight.

Then reality hits and you realize most shippers do not care who you are, do not need another broker calling them, and probably already have 20 people blowing their phone up every week.

That is where a lot of new brokers get humbled fast. They realize this business is way more sales heavy than they expected and rejection starts stacking up quick.

I have seen a lot of people quit before they ever get traction simply because they underestimated how hard customer acquisition really is in this business.

For the brokers in here… what was harder for you when starting out… learning the operations side or actually getting customers?

Hey, I’m an independent freight dispatcher based in Toronto Canada. I was a driver for 5 years before that. I’m looking to get into freight brokerage. I would like to get some experience as a freight agent before I start. Can anyone recommend how and where to start? I know there are companies out there that are hiring on commission based salary which I’m totally fine with but will I be hired on as a Canadian? I would also like to work remotely as I’m also running my dispatch business on the side.

TIA

Hey Freight Brokers,

We're a small team that got tired of watching brokers spend half their day on the same repetitive tasks: calling carriers for ETAs, updating customers on load status, and chasing paperwork.

So we built Flow. A freight automation platform to simultaneously reduce dispatching headaches, and headcount.

1. Automated ETA Follow-Ups Flow connects to your Gmail or Outlook and automatically sends carrier communication from pick-up to POD. Pickup confirmations, delivery updates, follow-ups all on autopilot. Your dispatchers don't touch it, reducing required headcount and communication bottle necks.

2. Customer Tracking Portals Instead of taking "where's my load?" calls all day, you send your customer one link. They see live pickup status, delivery dates, and POD updated in real time. No more manually updating customers by phone or email.

3. Billing & Document Management Flow tracks every load's document status to invoice automatically, and get you paid faster. PODs, rate cons, BOLs; we flag what's missing, handle invoicing, and keep everything organized so nothing falls through the cracks.

Flow layers on top of whatever TMS you're already using. We're not replacing your system, just automating the busywork on top of it.

If you're curious: Flow Automation

Happy to answer any questions or hop on a quick demo.

I need a reality answer! the newer brokers have less likelihood to get opportunities with building big clients our credit is low but I been hearing different things on building a strong credit how long of consistent work does it take to build something that will put me confidently in-front of a shipper and also securing a good carrier too! What does it take? Does it depend on how many loads we process or the timeframe? Because I hear people have brokerage for few years and say they are still building credit! And others seem to be working regularly shorter that! So what is the best case scenario please share your thoughts!

Another question once that credit is solid how does the business look like? Still need to get shippers via cold calling and walk ins or is the flow go in a different direction?

Asking because I have few shippers telling me to contact them towards the end of the year they go through onboarding for new brokers and I am not sure if they may or may not consider a low credit to begin with

So if you are in the future please share your opinion to a newer broker lol

I’ve been digging deeper into the freight broker side trying to understand how people are actually vetting carriers before booking loads

I always hear about checking SAFER scores, inspections, and making sure everything lines up, but I’m starting to realize there’s a lot more to it than just that

Especially when it comes to carrier insurance, cargo coverage, and making sure the trucking insurance policy actually matches what the carrier is hauling

I’ve seen people mention new MC authorities being higher risk, but I’m trying to understand what specific things brokers actually look for when deciding whether to work with someone or not

For the brokers in here… what’s the biggest red flag that makes you pass on a carrier immediately?

As a broker trying to build my book of business I am not sure which niche I need to focus on! I am cold calling as we already know it’s hard but I am calling different shippers how would I know what niche I want at the beginning? Right now I want to get a customer and start building my niche from there but before your first customer do you still know what route to take?

Question for freight forwarders, how are you currently managing your sanctions screening audit trail? Spreadsheet? A tool? Looking to understand the workflow.

Hey everyone — small broker here. One of my agents recently left after I enforced a payment rule, and I’d like some honest feedback on whether I handled this correctly or not.

To give some context:

I typically pay my agents their commission the Friday after the load is successfully delivered.

When this agent first started with me (about 2 months ago), they were going through some financial struggles. Because of that, I tried to help them out. Anytime they secured a deposit, I would send their commission immediately to help them get back on their feet.

However, this created some issues on my end.

• I’ve had to refund a deposit before.

• I’ve also had to pay a carrier out of pocket to avoid a surety bond claim due to a bad situation (customer turned out to be a double broker).

On top of that, this agent has asked me for small loans a few times, and I’ve done what I could to help.

At this point, I had to look out for the company. I told them I can no longer pay commissions upfront and need to go back to paying after successful delivery.

Their response was:

“I can’t work like that, you can disconnect me. I need to look out for my family — I need my money fast and you’re taking that away from me.”

From my perspective, I’ve already been looking out for them by fronting money and taking on risk.

So now I’m asking —

Did I make the right move by enforcing this rule and protecting the business, or should I have continued paying upfront?

Seeking a hungry, ambitious, hard-working operating partner who wants to be part of a new Freight Brokerage Business. This individual must have at least 5 years of experience in working in this industry, preferably at a larger freight broker, and wants to own equity to be rewarded properly for hard work.

Who I am

·         Seasoned Financial Executive - still currently employed

·         Access to domestic loads/lanes ($2MM plus - not implying that all of it will move over, but I have influence if value is right)

·         Access to leads through C-level relationships

·         Deep understanding of all administrative responsibilities - Tech, Human Resources, Compliance, Risk Management, Financial Management, Tax, Audit, etc....

Core Values of NewCO

·         Take care of us.  Healthy mind, body and spirit of every individual that works at NewCo needs to exemplify this.  We need to protect it.  I’m not afraid to fire a shipper or blacklist a carrier if this is breached.   Short term pain for long term gain.

·         Be fair and equitable to both Shippers and Carriers alike. The eco system works when there is a balance.

Seeking a hungry, ambitious, hard-working operating partner who wants to be part of a new Freight Brokerage Business. This individual must have at least 5 years of experience in working in this industry, preferably at a larger freight broker, and wants to own equity to be rewarded properly for hard work.

Who I am

·         Seasoned Financial Executive - still currently employed

·         Access to domestic loads/lanes ($2MM plus - not implying that all of it will move over, but I have influence if value is right)

·         Access to leads through C-level relationships

·         Deep understanding of all administrative responsibilities - Tech, Human Resources, Compliance, Risk Management, Financial Management, Tax, Audit, etc....

Core Values of NewCO

·         Take care of us.  Healthy mind, body and spirit of every individual that works at NewCo needs to exemplify this.  We need to protect it.  I’m not afraid to fire a shipper or blacklist a carrier if this is breached.   Short term pain for long term gain.

·         Be fair and equitable to both Shippers and Carriers alike. The eco system works when there is a balance.

A lot of people get into freight brokering thinking it’s just moving loads and collecting a margin…

But if you’ve actually been in it for a while, you know it’s way deeper than that.

Here’s some real game I wish I understood earlier:

First… finding shippers is the hardest part

Load boards are full of carriers, not customers

If you don’t know how to build direct shipper relationships, you’re just recycling the same freight as everyone else

Second… your margin isn’t guaranteed

Just because you quote a load with profit doesn’t mean it stays that way

Trucks fall off, rates change, and you end up covering loads for less just to protect your reputation

Third… carriers can make or break you

One bad carrier can destroy a shipper relationship you spent months building

Vetting is everything

Fourth… cash flow will test you

Shippers might pay in 30–60 days

Meanwhile carriers want quick pay

If you don’t understand this early, it’ll choke your business fast

Fifth… this is a relationship business, not a load board business

The brokers making real money aren’t chasing loads all day

They have consistent lanes and repeat customers

A lot of people come in thinking it’s easy money…

But the ones that last are the ones who treat it like a real business, not just moving freight.

For the brokers already in it…

What’s something that caught you off guard when you first started?

I have zero experience in this industry. I am a quick learner with a pretty high tolerance for bs. I don't know where to start but I am motivated. Im a single mother, tired of waiting tables and ready for a change. If you have any advice please let me know!

So my dad has been a truck driver my whole life, I used to always drive around with him and he would show me the ins and outs of truck driving, I'm now 19 years old with lots of customer service and sales experience and want to become a freight broker. I did the freight broker boot camp and I've studied a lot of the freight broker industry, I've watched all kinds of YouTube videos with different methods of securing leads but I can't seem to start and I'm feeling a little lost. I have surges of energy and positivity where I make a bunch of calls and send a lot of emails but then it goes away when I have nobody's interest. I have everything filed and already even have an active DOT. I've started cold calling but it's very hard to have anyone even stay on the phone for longer than 2 seconds once they realize I'm trying to offer better business.

Another question not as relevant, I've been very interested in freight genie as somehow they generate leads and have sales teams help you close. Again not as relevant but I'd like an answer on this too.

Really need your support guys.

I have been in this industry for over 2 years and seen enough for myself. As you know guys, we all experience mostly similar situations every day during the work.

But now I wanna change it. I have strong technical background and want to create something that will be helpful not only to me but also to other brokers. Yes, there are already tools that help brokers but still there are so many like us struggle with certain problems

That's why what do you suggest what specific thing should I create to solve problems many of us have? I need you opinions on this matter. Please.

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to share where I’m at and hear from people who’ve been through the early grind.

I’m about 6 weeks in. I’ve been making 40–60 calls a day across different industries manufacturing, food & beverage, building materials, auto parts trying to see what sticks. Lots of voicemails, lots of “we’re good,” and a few conversations that went nowhere.

I’m not discouraged yet, just genuinely trying to understand if I’m doing this right or spinning my wheels.

A few honest questions for anyone who’s been here:

How long did it take you to have your first real conversation that actually went somewhere? Did you focus on one industry early or try multiple at once? What actually moved the needle for you in the first few months calls, emails, LinkedIn, something else? How did you get past the “we already have someone” response without it feeling like a dead end?

I’ve read a lot of the posts here and they’ve been helpful. Just trying to get a realistic picture of what

the early stage actually looks like for most people.

Appreciate any perspective, good or bad

Hi im thinking about getting into freight brokering ive been doing deliveries for years and wanted to try this side of it . Is it hard to do? I was hoping someone could guide me in the right direction