The eLearning Center for Jacob's The eLearning Centre

Entrepreneur Magazine has rated the freight brokerage business as one of the top home-based businesses to own, and a recent Wall Street Journal article cited freight brokering and logistics as the largest growing sector of the transportation industry. Written by freight brokerage specialists, the freight broker/agent training course will provide the student with the knowledge and resources needed to break into the $400 billion plus shipping industry. Freight broker professionals are in demand. No matter the state of the economy, goods will always need to be shipped. A motivated and disciplined freight broker or freight agent, who has received the proper training, can build up his or her business into a six figure earning potential. It is an ideal home business for a self-starter who enjoys fast-paced work. Become a part of the exciting trucking, freight logistics, and transportation industries as a licensed freight broker, or as a freight broker agent. Students will learn the “how-to’s” of building up a freight brokerage or agency. From licensing to operations, to sales and marketing, students learn the basics of how to run a freight brokerage or agency. This course arms graduates with the information needed to succeed in the freight brokerage business, and can help lead to a rewarding career in this field.

*Note:  This course is based on laws and practices within the United States of America.

  · Overview of the Job

  · What is a Freight Broker?
  · Requirements to Become a Freight Broker
  · What is a Freight Broker Agent?
  · Requirements of Becoming a Freight Agent
  · Why do Shippers use Freight Brokers/Agents?

  · Industry Overview

  · Overview of the Transportation Industry
  · Brief History of Surface Transportation and Freight Brokering
  · Industry Potential and Trends

  · Broker Laws & Requirements by the FMCSA

  · Legalities of Broker/Brokerage Services
  · Non-Brokerage Services
  · Laws regarding Record Keeping for Brokers
  · Laws regarding Misrepresentation
  · Broker Advertising Liability
  · Rebating and Compensation
  · Duties
  · Double Brokering Legalities
  · Laws regarding Accounting Expenses

  · Success and the Broker/Agent

  · Why Become a Broker or Agent?
  · Benefits and Opportunities
  · Traits of a Successful Broker/Agent
  · Goal Setting
  · Developing a Plan
  · Qualities of Success

  · Getting Started

  · Your Business Name
  · Setting up your Business
  · Filing for your Broker Operating Authority
  · Filing for your Surety Bond
  · Obtaining your Process Agents

  · The Next Steps

  · Ensure Cash Flow Resources
  · Business Bank Account
  · Setting up your Office
  · Transportation Software & other Software Considerations

  · Preparing your Initial Marketing Materials

  · Your Mission Statement
  · Sample Introduction Letters
  · Decide on any Initial Niche Target Markets
  · Formulate Initial Website
  · Examples/ Initial Marketing Materials

  · Terminology 101
  · Continuing the Process

  · Setting up your Shipper Packet for Prospects
  · Setting up your Shipper Packet for New Clients
  · Setting up your Carrier Packet
  · Your Customer Profiles
  · Credit Applications
  · Your Carrier Profiles

  · Begin Prospecting for Shippers

  · Finding Shippers
  · Resources
  · Getting your foot in the door
  · Problem Solving
  · Customer Service

  · Rating

  · Determining Competitive Rates
  · Resources for Rating
  · Rate Variables
  · Types of Rate Matrices
  · Fuel and Surcharges
  · Accessorial Fees

  · Building the Load

  · Load Data
  · Special Instructions
  · Rate Verification with Customer

  · Matching the Carrier

  · Load Posting
  · When to Post/What to Post
  · Checking Authority and Safety
  · Insurance Verification
  · Carrier Contracts

  · The Process Continued

  · Dispatching the Load
  · Rate Confirmation with Carrier
  · Carrier Pick-up and Delivery
  · Tracking and Verification

  · Carrier Relations
  · More on Marketing

  · Market Niches
  · Market Trends
  · Competition
  · Networking
  · Promotions
  · Your Marketing Dollars

  · More on Sales

  · Qualifying the Prospect
  · Determining Needs
  · Features and Benefits
  · Managing Objections
  · Personality Types
  · Building Trust
  · Sales Process and Growth

  · Overcoming Challenges

  · Shipper Situations
  · Carrier Situations
  · Consignee Situations

  · More Terminology
  · Financial Management

  · Staffing
  · Cash Flow
  · Auditing and Billing
  · Setting up Invoices for Payment
  · Other Brokerage Accounting

  · Insurance Claims

  · Types of Freight Claims
  · Claim Forms
  · Claim Procedures
  · Claims Laws

  · Freight Broker/Agent Resources