Top 10 Blog Posts for Carriers and Brokers From 2021

We’ve seen a tremendous number of changes to the trucking industry over the past year, from escalating fuel prices and supply chain issues to labor shortages and capacity concerns. It’s essential to stay on top of the trucking business trends, so you’re not caught off guard.

Here are some of the top trucking posts for carriers and brokers in 2021 to keep you informed and help you run a more profitable business.

Top blog posts for carriers

Whether you’re looking to become an owner-operator, expand your fleet or customer base, book the best-paying loads, or improve your cash flow, check out our top trucking posts from 2021. From advice to solutions, these are topics carriers are talking about.

15 steps to become a successful owner-operator

One in nine truck drivers is independent. These owner-operators typically have consistent clients or use tools like the Truckstop Load Board to find regular work. Whether you want to work solo or have multiple trucks and drivers, here are the key steps you need to know to become a successful owner-operator.

Read 15 steps to become a successful owner-operator.

How to get your trucking authority

Getting your trucking authority can feel a bit intimidating, but we’re here to help. Obtaining your trucking authority can take months, but following this step-by-step guide can help get you started earning. Truckers and drivers make the switch to becoming owner-operators every day. Learn what it takes to make it happen.

Read How to get your trucking authority.

How to find the highest paying truck loads

The average cost per mile (CPM) continues to rise, driven by high fuel prices and rising insurance costs. More than ever, truckers need to maximize every load for peak profit. Finding the highest paying loads and the best paying freight lane is key.

So, how do you find the highest-paying truckloads? We’ve got the answers in this trucking post.

Read How to find the highest paying truck loads.

Freight factoring: what is it, and how does it work?

It can be frustrating to finish a job and then wait to get paid. In the meantime, you’ve got to pay your bills and manage your cash flow. Many owner-operators and carriers turn to freight factoring to speed up payments and keep the money flowing. But, is it right for you?

We explain how freight companies work, the requirements you will need to move to get approved, the cost involved in freight factoring, and the difference between recourse and non-recourse freight factoring.

Read Freight factoring: what is it and how does it work?

15 steps to start a hotshot trucking business

Hauling smaller less-than-truckload (LTL) loads can be a profitable way to earn a living and keep your trucks full. These hotshot loads are usually delivered to a single destination and are often time-sensitive.

To get started with hotshot trucking, you’ll need to take several steps. We’ll show you exactly what you need to do and how to find the best-paying hotshot loads.

Read 15 steps to start a hotshot trucking business.

Top blog posts for brokers

Toward the end of the fourth quarter in 2021, broker margins were some of the lowest in more than two years. Because of this decline, brokers are getting more creative about how they conduct day-to-day business to take care of their customers.

Here are some of the top trucking posts to help brokers navigate the future.

The 10 questions brokers should ask shippers.

Shippers come and go. They might reduce their volume without warning or become unreliable. Without a solid client base and a consistent influx of new partners, it can be challenging for brokers to manage on your own.

As a freight broker, you always want to be looking out for new and potentially better shipping partners. You need to find shippers that are the right fit for your services and will be good long-term customers. Here are the 10 questions brokers need to ask to get started.

Read The 10 questions brokers should ask shippers.

3 benefits of carrier compliance and how to track it

Using non-compliant carriers is a significant liability risk. If brokers unwittingly book a carrier that’s out of compliance or has other underlying issues, it can lead to legal exposure for you. Non-compliant carriers also are more likely to delay shipments, provide poor service, or damage your reputation with suppliers and customers. It can cost you money.

You need an easy way to monitor carrier compliance to make sure you protect your client and yourself.

Read 3 benefits of carrier compliance and how to track it.

Carrier vetting: 7 ways brokers can verify quality carriers

In the brokerage business, it’s crucial to vet carriers to ensure they can get the job done and stay reliably compliant. By checking credentials, safety ratings, and compliance status, you can be more confident in a carrier’s ability to deliver goods safely and on time. But manual checking is inefficient and can be extremely time-consuming. The information can also be out-of-date quickly. Fortunately, there is an easier way to speed up the process of keeping tabs on all your carriers.

Read Carrier vetting: 7 ways brokers can verify quality carriers.

Carrier sourcing: 5 ways brokers can increase capacity

Capacity is often the key to profitability. As a freight broker, you need to make sure you can manage your loads. The more capacity you have, the more loads you can cover, and the more money you can make.

Carrier capacity has been a significant challenge in the past year due to labor shortages and escalating costs. We’ve got some tips on how to improve your carrier sourcing and the quality of your network.

Read Carrier sourcing: 5 ways brokers can increase capacity.

A broker’s guide: how to streamline carrier onboarding and monitoring

Onboarding a carrier involves checking their compliance, safety, CSA scores, insurance and liability, current operating authority, and formal risk assessment. Monitoring ensures carriers stay current and out of trouble.

Insurance and safety rating lapses, accidents, and other compliance issues can quickly change a carrier’s risk profile. You need to do an excellent job of onboarding and consistently monitoring to limit your exposure.

We’ll detail what you need to know and show you how to streamline the onboarding and monitoring process.

Read A broker’s guide: how to streamline carrier onboarding and monitoring.

Get the latest blog posts and trends in 2022.

These are just a few of the insightful and actionable trucking posts you can get from Truckstop.

Whether you are an owner-operator, carrier, shipper, or broker, you can get expert advice, tips and tricks, and in-depth articles to help you run your business more effectively. Subscribe to the Truckstop blog today and stay up to date on emerging industry trends and everything you need to stay ahead of the competition.