So, you’re thinking about becoming a freight broker? You want to live the glamorous life of negotiating rates, chasing trucks, and explaining for the 100th time that, no, you don’t own the trucks? Well, friend, welcome to the wild and wonderful world of freight brokering—a world where coffee is fuel, patience is a superpower, and your phone is basically an extra limb.
Before you dive in, let’s make sure you actually know what you’re signing up for. As a freight broker, your job is to match shippers (the people with the goods) with carriers (the people with the trucks). You are the middleman, the matchmaker, the Cupid of cargo. But instead of sending love letters, you’re sending rate confirmations. And instead of candlelit dinners, it’s 2 a.m. phone calls from a driver who swears he’s only “five minutes away.”
The government frowns upon unlicensed freight brokers, so you’ll need to get yourself some credentials:
It’s a bit of paperwork, but hey—if you can survive a trip to the DMV, you can handle this.
Freight is like pizza—there are endless varieties. Some brokers specialize in refrigerated goods, others in oversized loads, and some brave souls take on hazmat freight (which is exactly as fun as it sounds). Pick a lane (pun intended) and get to know your niche.
Your success as a freight broker depends on relationships. You’ll need reliable shippers who trust you with their cargo and trustworthy carriers who won’t ghost you mid-haul. Treat your carriers well—because a happy trucker is a trucker who answers your calls.
Pro tip: If you find a great carrier, keep them happy. Compliments, prompt payments, and the occasional “Hey, how’s the road treating you?” go a long way.
Freight brokering is not for the faint of heart. There will be late trucks, price haggling, surprise breakdowns, and the occasional “Oh, you meant THIS Tuesday?” mix-up. But if you can handle the chaos with a sense of humor and a strong Wi-Fi connection, you’ll be just fine.
Once you’ve got your processes down, your network built, and your sanity somewhat intact, it’s time to rake in the commissions. Sure, there will be tough days (hello, fuel price spikes), but when everything runs smoothly, there’s nothing quite like the sweet sound of a successfully booked load.
Becoming a freight broker isn’t just about moving freight—it’s about solving problems, thinking on your feet, and drinking more coffee than a human probably should. But if you love a good challenge and enjoy making things happen, this might just be the gig for you.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have about five missed calls from a driver who “might’ve taken the wrong exit.” Wish me luck.
Advantage Logistics, LLC is a freight brokerage business for the trucking industry founded by Lisa Harte in O'Neill, Nebraska, in 2008. Harte had previously worked as a freight broker for over 15 years before starting her own company.
As the owner and lead logistics specialist at Advantage Logistics, Harte has over 15 years of experience managing logistics operations and delivering reliable and dependable services to her clients.
When you have supplemental freight needs, you want to know your freight will reach its destination safely, on time, and on budget.
Advantage Logistics offers freight brokerage solutions to help you handle challenging needs, capacity surges, and seasonal needs. We carry through daily loads and provide reliable transportation modes, so you never have to worry about transporting your product.
We are optimists who love to work together.
Reliable Freight Solutions. Unmatched Service.
Get fair, cost-effective pricing without the markups of big carriers.
Our extensive network of DOT-authorized carriers and private fleets ensures we can handle your shipment needs.
If we accept your load, we deliver—no excuses, no delays.
No call centers, no long holds—just a dedicated account manager who knows your business.
Let us handle your freight with the care and reliability you deserve!
