My response is always the same…”It depends.”  I don’t do that to be cute or funny, I do that because you have two choices.

1. You can file for your freight broker authority through the FMCSA or…
2. You can start by becoming a freight agent first, which does not you to get your freight broker authority.

I strongly suggest that if you are new to the industry or have limited experience to always start as a freight agent.  Why?  Because it limits your capital risk and allows you to earn while you learn and then decide if becoming a license freight broker is really for you?

Let’s start with some of the cost associated with becoming freight agent?

Freight Agent Startup Expenses

• Phone service = $25-$50 per month
• Printer/Fax/Scanner combo = $100-$200 one time
• Load boards = $30-$150 monthly based upon how many load boards
• Office Supplies (misc) = $5-$20 monthly
• Desk/chair = $50-$200 one time

Now let’s take a look at additional start up costs in order to become a licensed freight broker?

Freight Broker Start-up Expense

• Broker authority = $300 one time
• Bond/trust = $500-$6,000 annually depending upon credit and the bond amount
• Process agent (BOC 3) = $50-$150 one time
• Insurance = $0 to $500 monthly depending upon value/type of insurance
• Mileage software = $0 to $5,000 one time

Writing this post brings back memories of when I filed for my freight broker authority back in 2003.  Back then freight agents existed but in the last 5 years the freight agent business model has become even more popular.  As a matter of fact, I did a quick check online on one of the top job boards and found over 851 freight broker agent jobs listings! 

So as you can see the start-up costs are very low in order to become freight broker and even lower as a freight agent.  Click here to compare the costs listed above compared to buying a franchise and I think you will agree?

So regardless of your financial situation the freight brokerage industry can offer an incredible opportunity to earn six figures from home as either a freight broker or a freight agent.  The greatest part is you can get started from home without having to risk your life saving!

P.S. Please don’t forget to Share this article with your friends on Linkedin or Facebook and remember to let Google know you enjoyed the article by clicking on the g+1 logo at the top or bottom of this article.

Regards,

Dennis Brown
Owner, www.FreightBrokerBootcamp.com

Click here to learn more on how to become a freight broker or freight agent in 30 days!

“If you wait for all the light to turn green in the morning before you head to the work…you’re sure to be late!”

Most people that are looking to start a business or change careers are plagued with the indecision for two primary reasons 1) they are afraid of failure and/or 2) they are waiting for the “perfect timing.”  They fall victim to what I call “paralysis by analysis” and they second guess themselves into indecision.

You have to understand that their is no such thing as a perfect time when all the planets are in alignment.  If you’re waiting for that, you are on the road to never ending indecision and fear of failure is the ruler in your world.

Every month I have thousands of people that visit this site every month looking for information on becoming a freight broker or freight agent.  I share information with them freely, in an effort to help them evaluate the opportunity of joining the logistics industry.  Since launching the site, over 1,000 students have taken my online freight broker training program and many have went on to become fully licensed freight brokers, while many others have decided to become freight agents.  The key is the fact that they saw the opportunity and realized the potential gain far exceed their fear or risk, so they took action!

On the other side of the coin, becoming a freight broker, freight agent is not for everyone.  It’s not some get rick quick scheme where you are going to see overnight riches fall into your lap.  But if you’re have a good work ethic, are willing to get out of your comfort zone and like a fast paced environment becoming a freight broker or freight agent could be a great opportunity for you.

Below are 5 articles I wrote that are designed to help you evaluate, if in fact, you should considering becoming a freight broker or freight agent.

#1 Timing is everything, why become a freight broker today?

#2 What is the difference between a freight broker and freight agent?

#3 Freight Broker bond increased! How can you benefit from this new legislation?

#4 How much can a freight broker or freight agent earn?

#5 How to get your freight broker license?

My brokerage just had another record profit year in 2012 and we are expected significant growth in 2013 and beyond…but I will share more about that in future posts.

I hope you enjoy the articles and feel free to reply to any with questions or comments you might have.

P.S. If you liked this post please Share it with others below and don’t forget to click the g+1 logo at the top or bottom of this article to let Google and others knows you liked it!

Regards,

Dennis Brown
Owner, www.FreightBrokerBootcamp.com

Click here to become a Freight Broker or Freight Agent in 30 days or less!

Check out our 60 Day 100% Money Back Guarantee

Thus the reason & title of my post, “Self belief is the essence of success!”

The fact is every successful entrepreneur I know including freight brokers and freight agents have struggled with self belief at one time or another in their careers.  In sports, in life and in business believing in yourself is critical to success.

I get emails all the time from people interested in becoming a freight broker or freight agent and the #1 why they do not pursue their dream is the fact that they lack self belief and are afraid to FAIL.  Click here if you refuse to let fear prevent you from pursuing your dream of becoming a freight broker/agent.  I hope you enjoyed the video and look forward to your comments/replies.

P.S.  If you liked this post/video please Share it with others below and don’t forget to click the g+1 logo at the top or bottom of this article to let Google and others knows you liked it!

Regards,

Dennis Brown
Owner, www.FreightBrokerBootcamp.com

Click here to become a Freight Broker or Freight Agent in 30 days or less!

Today I am here to talk about the worlds largest business/professional social network called Linkedin and how it can help you to grow your business regardless if you’re a freight broker, truck broker or freight agent.

What is Linkedin?

Linkedin is a rapidly growing network of over 200 million business professionals from around the world.  This network allows you to connect with past and current business contacts as well as allowing you to expand your professional network through the exchange of information and contacts.

So here’s how it works.  Have you ever heard of the the Six Degrees of Separation or the Kevin Bacon effect?  The idea is that every person is no more than 6 steps from from anyone else on the planet by way of introduction.  That means by way of a chain of no more than 6 introductions you could introduced to the most popular, wealthiest and influential people in the world!  Pretty cool right.  For example here are a few people you might recognize that are in my Linkedin network.

William Gates III (Bill Gates founder of Microsoft) – 2 degrees
Michael Dell (Founder of Dell Computers) – 3 degrees
Sarah Palin (Vice Presidential Candidate) – 3 degrees
Rudy Guilani (Former Mayor NYC and Presidential Candidate) – 3 degrees
Sean Parker (Napster Founder and Facebook) – 2 degrees
Anthony Robbins (Motivational Speaker/Author) – Directly Connected!!!!!

And the list goes on….the cool part is after the name I put how many degrees of separation they are from me. So as you can see, I am only two or three degrees from some of the most powerful and influential people in the world.  There’s an old saying in business, “It’s not always what you know it’s who you know” and as you can see Linkedin makes the business world smaller by interconnecting all of us with the hopes of opening new and profitable doors.

Ok so now let’s get back to the title and reason why you decided to read this story.
“How Linkedin helped me increase sales by over $1 million per year”

It all started sometime back in 2007 when I was first introduced to Linkedin by one of my business contacts who had sent me an email asking me to join his network.  By then they already had over 10 million users and I was curious what this was all about?

All I knew at the time is it was FREE and tons of business people were signing up for it everyday…so I figured I would give it a try.  The next thing I knew I had 10, 50, 100 + connections. Some of them were past connections I had not spoken to in years and others were current connections like customers, vendors and coworkers.  I knew almost immediately that this could be a powerful tool, so whenever I met someone new I inviting them to join my Linkedin network.  Then one day, not long after I signed up, it happened.

I got my first sale as a result of my growing Linkedin network!  No it wasn’t a million dollar client but it was a start.

From that point forward I started using Linkedin as a regular part of my sales and marketing efforts and sales have followed.  Now I use Linkedin daily to connect with shippers, freight agents, motor carriers, prospective employees and more.

So over the past 3 years I started tracking my Linkedin results and in 2010, 2011 and 2012 I was able to generate over $1 million in new business from my Linkedin network!

How you ask? Unfortunately a blog post just isn’t long enough to share the how to but the good news is I know someone that can help. On January 13, 2012  I purchased on online Linkedin training program called LinkedInfuence written by Lewis Howes.   Lewis has been featured in Forbes, Times and even Fortune magazine as a leading social media and Linkedin expert.

The online training shows you step by step how to use Linkedin to achieve your business goals. I really enjoyed the course and saw immediately results by putting a few of strategies and tips to work.  I highly recommend LinkedInfluence for anyone interested in starting their own business, is in sales/marketing or who might be looking for a job.

Linkedin has been good to me and with a little help from Lewis Howes and some honest effort on your part, I think it can help you too…so give it a try!

P.S. I hope you decide to try Linkedin to help expand your professional network and if you do please remember to invite me to connect with you.  Click here to see my profile.

P.S.S. As always, if you liked this post click the g+1 logo at the top or bottom and don’t be afraid to Share with others.

Regards,

Dennis Brown
Owner, www.FreightBrokerBootcamp.com

Become a Freight Broker, Truck Broker, Transportation Broker or Freight Agent in 30 days or less online…click here to learn how?

Anyone that knows me, knows my work ethic and the fact that whether it was a sport like wrestling or judo, a job like sales or a business like being a freight broker, there are very few people in this world that will out hustle or out work me.  I owe this to the many great role models I have been fortunate to have in my life including my parents, coaches, friends and other successful people I have watched from afar.

Another thing that separates me from others is my ability to overcome fear and in particular the fear of failure.  Fear of failure, in my opinion, is probably the #1 reason that prevents people from achieving their full potential.

My work ethic and my ability to overcome fear are two of my secrets to success but I think this video says it better.  So take a few minutes and watch “The 6 Secrets to Success” by one of my early childhood heroes…Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The 6 Secrets to Success!

1) Trust Yourself
2) Break the Rules
3) Don’t Be Afraid to Fail
4) Don’t Listen to the Naysayers
5) Work Your Butt Off
6) Giving Back

The fact is, Arnold Schwarzenegger has overcame extreme adversity in his life and while he may not be your favorite actor or politician, his philosophy and secrets to success are incredibly powerful.  He has achieved levels of success that most of us can only dream about.

Was it easy?  Did he have to work hard?  Did he get discouraged at times?  Did he question himself?  Did he have to overcome his fear?  The answer to all these questions is YES and the fact is, if you listen to anyone that has ever been successful they will likely tell you the same.

So chances are if you’re reading this post, you have at some point considered becoming a freight broker.  So what’s holding you back from achieving your goal? For most, it’s fear of failure, for others they lack drive and for some it’s a lack of confidence.  Regardless of your reason, the fact is you have the power to change it!

The key to change is to take action!  Do something today that immediately moves you towards your goal and don’t worry so much about the outcome.  Don’t worry so much about everything being “perfect” because success does not require perfection…it requires action!

Click Here To Take Action Today!

P.S. If you would like to see more motivational and inspiring videos in the future please click the g+1 logo in the top left of this article and/or Share this with your friends on Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin below my signature.

Regards,

Dennis Brown
Owner, www.FreightBrokerBootcamp.com

Don’t be a slave to fear…take action today!

What better way to start the year than with a recap of the Top 5 most popular freight broker training blog posts from 2012.  The interesting thing about this list is the fact that the topics are so diversified.

Drum roll please….

#5 - What is factoring? Pro’s and con’s for freight brokers!  Read more…

Factoring is something I get a lot of questions about so I am not surprised it is in the top 5. The other day I talked to a student and he said that some factoring companies are giving him a hard time about non recourse factoring to brokers and I told him that the life of a freight broker and/or freight agent is full of change so it’s critical to learn how to adapt quickly to both survive and thrive!

#4 - What is a backhaul?  Read more…

To many the concept of a backhaul is a complete mystery?  One thing is certain, backhauls are an incredibly powerful force in the world of freight brokers, freight agents and trucking companies, so please make sure you understand how this concept can and will impact your business.

#3 - Timing is everything, why become a freight broker today?  Read more..

My old wrestling coach used to say the definition of “Luck is when prepartion meets opportunity!”  The fact is there are changes that are taking place right now that will make both freight brokers and freight agents more valuable to shippers than ever!  Another related article that you might want to check out is Freight broker bond increased! How can you benefit from this new legislation?

#2 - Who are a freight broker’s customers?  Read more…

Many times students are confused about who do freight brokers do business with and that is probably the reason for the popularity of this post.  Hint – while you can find good motor carriers on load boards, rarely if ever are you going to find good customers!

#1 - How much can a freight broker or freight agent earn?  Read more…

I know first hand how much a freight broker and/or freight agent can make because I have  owned and operated a successful brokerage for over 9 years.  The fact is, freight brokers and agents come in all shapes and sizes from less than $1 million to over $1 billion in sales.  But what really matters is for you to determine how much you want to make and to work on a plan to get you there.  Learning the “How to..” from a reputable trainer is typically a good first step!

So 2012 is in the books and another year has come and gone.  If you took my online freight broker training course I want to thank you and if you’re just a casual following I hope you enjoyed the blog.

2013 is going to be another great year!  The key is to not sit on the sidelines and let time and opportunity pass you by.  Good luck!

Do you remember the definition of Luck? I hope so….

P.S. Please don’t forget to Share this with others, as seen below my signature and take a minute to let Google know you enjoyed the blog by clicking the g+1 logo at the top left of this and every article.

Regards,

Dennis Brown
Owner, www.FreightBrokerBootcamp.com

So for today’s blog post I am going to let a few of our students do most of the talking.  Here are just a few of the testimonials we received recently.

“I am getting ready to celebrate my 1 yr anniversary of being in business for myself. It has been a very interesting year. I purchased your training back in March and just one of many great ideas in your training made the biggest difference in my business. It was the approach to potential customers that I made the change to and they are so much more receptive to my phone calls. Thank you for your training.”  - Jeff W.

“I first got interested in freight brokering as a driver and when I finally got out of the truck all I could think about was becoming a broker.  I had no experience at it and no idea on how to do it but through hearsay so I searched and searched until I finally found Freightbrokerbootcamp.com.  The whole freight broker world was opened up to me so I got my MC# and BMC-85 and after many phone calls I finally got my proposal right and booked my first load.”  - Arnold C.

“FreightBrokerBootcamp.com  is the only way to go for training. I have looked at many courses over the years and this is definitely the most bang for your buck. Packed with info.”  - Scott G. 

Believe it or not, the reason I started my online freight broker training program had very little to do with money…that should be obvious by the price I charge! The fact is, I was getting overrun with calls and emails asking me to teach them how to become a freight broker or agent but I just couldn’t find the time.  When I decided to create an online program my primary objective was to offer people a way to learn about brokering without breaking the bank.  Next I wanted to make sure that the training was able to answer all the questions I had when I first got interested in starting my brokerage.

So here we are 1,000 + students/members later and I am happy to say that the positive feedback has been incredible.  It probably doesn’t hurt that I offer a no questions asked 60 day money money back guarantee!  A question I get all the time goes something like this, “This seems to good to be true, what’s the catch?”.  I typically respond with, “There is no catch, give the program a try and if you don’t think you got your monies worth, I will gladly refund 100% of your purchase price”.  I learned a long time ago that life is too short and the world is too small to have unhappy customers, no matter what business you are in!

Last but not least, thank you for considering www.FreightBrokerBootcamp.com.  Now take a minute to check out some of the more popular blog posts in the right hand navigation under “Most Popular Posts”.

Regards,

Dennis Brown
Owner, www.FreightBrokerBootcamp.com

As for me, I believe more than ever that now is the best time to become a licensed freight broker or a freight agent.  Why?  It all comes down to SUPPLY AND DEMAND! In my previous blog titled, “Timing is everything, why become a freight broker today?” I talked in detail about 3 major factors (CSA 2010, Fuel Prices, Baby Boomers) that are driving the demand for good freight brokers and freight agents.  The higher bond requirement is now the 4th major factor that is going to increase demand for good freight brokers.

Estimates show that there are somewhere between 14,000 and 16,000 licensed freight brokers in the U.S. depending upon who you talk to.  The fact is, this new bond requirement is going to cause some brokers to 1) sell their businesses, 2) close their doors or 3) partner with another brokerage that can has the financial resources to afford the additional bond cost.  Regardless of which direction they choose there are going to be LESS licensed freight brokers in the United States starting in July 2013 than there are today.

So what does this mean for the remaining freight brokers and freight agents?  Less competition means the opportunity for freight brokers and freight agents to make money just got better!!!  How?  That’s easy, the economic principle of supply and demand says that if the supply of freight brokers goes down and the freight demand remains the same or goes up then THE DEMAND FOR FREIGHT BROKERS/AGENTS WILL GO UP!

So if you are considering becoming  a licensed freight broker or starting a freight agency don’t let the new bond requirement scare you away.  Let it be your launching pad because the opportunity to be successful as a freight broker/agent is better than ever.  Particularly when you consider the fact that there will be less competition once the new law takes effect in July 2013.

Advantages to becoming a freight agent versus a freight broker

1. Freight agents do not need to get a broker bond.
2. Freight agents are able to focus on making money as opposed to back office administrative functions including credit management, billing customers, paying carriers, collections, claims and software development all of which are typically handled by the licensed broker.
3. Agents are not typically liable for BAD DEBT if a customer goes bankrupt or decides not to pay their bills.
4. Agents can work from home and do not have to hire, manage or pay employee

Sorry for not posting more often but between the family vacations and the fact that my brokerage business is growing by leaps and bounds and is currently projecting over $42 million in sales for 2012.  I look forward to your feedback and questions.

P.S. I hope this blog post was useful, if so tell Google by click the g +1 logo in the top left hand corner of this article to help other people find it online!  Also don’t be afraid to share with others by click the Share button below.

To your success!

Dennis Brown
Owner, www.FreightBrokerBootcamp.com

The Most Comprehensive & Cost Effective Freight Broker Training Program Online Today!

1. Make a plan everyday

2. Prioritize as if your life depends on it…because it does!

3. Break larger projects down into smaller, more manageable pieces

4. Learn how to block out distractions

So in part 2 of increasing productivity I am going to cover three more ways to significantly increase and impact your productivity regardless if you are a freight broker, truck broker, transportation broker or a cattle broker for that matter.

5.  Take periodic breaks to recharge

Sometimes a quick 5-15 minute break can be exactly what you need to regain  your energy  and focus.  Things like taking a walk, meditation, snack break and light reading are great ways to relax and can pay huge dividends when you return to your work.  Being a freight broker typically involves the ability to effectively multitask so when things are busy it can sometimes get a little overwhelming.  Sometimes a quick break can be all it takes to unclog your head and grease the wheels of progress.

6. Stop procrastining and making excuses

Don’t get into the excuse or blame game, focus on solutions to problems and challenges you encounter daily rather than wasting your energy complaining about them.  As far as procrastination goes, I learned a long time ago that if you prioritize your activities like described in #1 of part 1 you are less likely to put important activities off.  On the other hand if you keep procrastinating on a low priority item, it’s probably not worth your time and/or that task may need to be delegated.

7.  Find a schedule that works best for you

The fact is some people are more productive, energetic, creative, organized, etc at different times of the day or night.  For example I have a tendency to be more creative at night and/or when things are really quiet.  On the other hand I am very organized in the early morning.   I have also found that I communicate and interface with people on a sales call or meeting in late morning.  So it’s important to figure out what schedule works best for you and fit your activities to your schedule.  Think about activities in terms of operations, revenue generation and strategy and block them together on days and times where you can have the biggest impact in order to set yourself up for success.

During my 18 year career as an entrepreneur I have tried a lot of different things to increase my productivity, some have worked and others have not.  What I have come to realize is that each person and job is different, so what works for me may not work for others.  The fact is, I use each of the 8 strategies on a on a weekly is not daily basis because I believe they significantly enhance my overall productivity.

So now what?  That’s easy, pick 1 or 2 strategies that you think might work for you and give it a try.  Last but not least, if you have any other strategies or things you do to increase your productivity reply to this post so we can share with others.

Regards,

Dennis Brown

Owner, www.FreightBrokerBootcamp.com

Become a Freight Broker, Truck Broker, Transportation Broker or Freight Agent in 30 days or less online…click here to learn how?

1. Make a plan everyday!

This may sound like a cliche but failing to plan is the same as planning to fail.  I am a big believer in planning my day in advance and for years now I have gotten in the habit of starting my plan the night before.  How?  Before I leave everyday I make a list of things I want to accomplish tomorrow, including follow up calls, meetings, research, etc.  When I come in the next morning the first thing I do is to review and revise the list my adding or deleting items before I move onto the next key component which is Prioritizing!

2.  Prioritize as if your life depends on it…because it does!

Bottom line, not all activities are created equal.  So it is critical to remember and utilize the 80/20 principle also known as the “Pareto Principle” which states that roughly 80% of the effect comes from 20% of the causes.  In sales that means 80% of your sales come from 20% of your customers.  As it relates to being more productive it means that 20% of your daily activities gives you 80% of your results. When prioritizing my plan I rank each thing on my list A through D based upon priority with A’s being the highest ranking.  After ranking your list the key is to focus and complete all the A’s before moving onto the B’s and the B’s before moving on the C’s and so on.  This focuses you on the most important activities first which should significantly increase your impact.

3.  Break larger projects down into smaller more management pieces

Remember the old adage, “How do you eat an elephant?  Answer: One bite at a time” When you break your tasks down into more manageable pieces and focus on tackling one pieces at a time.  This makes it easier to prioritize which pieces come first and can prevent people from becoming overwhelmed by the size and scope of a large project.

4.  Learn how to block out distractions

This may sound easy it is getting increasingly difficult to focus!  Three of the biggest distractions I see today are email, text messaging and instant message.  While they can enhance communications and be used effectively you need to learn to shut off your email, IM and cell phone when a task requires concentration and focus.  For example while I am writing this article both my cell phone and email are off.  Why?  Because writing requires creativity and concentration and if I were bouncing back and forth from my email and cell phone it could take me 10 times as long to finish this article.  It is difficult, I know me but you can do it and once you embrace blocking out distractions I think you will agree that email, IM and text messaging can both positively and negatively affect your productivity.

Improving productivity is not as difficult as it might seems.  Regardless if you are freight broker, freight agent, truck broker, logistics broker or a stock broker for that matter by trying 1 or more of the 4 tips listed above…I am confident you will see the benefit.

This is the first part of a two part series on increasing/enhancing “Productivity” for freight brokers so stay tuned for part two and don’t forget to post a reply and/or share this article with a friend.

P.S. I hope you found this article useful?  If so, please make sure to tell Google by click the g +1 logo in the top left hand corner of this article to help others find it online!

Regards,

Dennis Brown

Owner, www.FreightBrokerBootcamp.com

Click here to learn how to become a freight broker or freight agent in 30 days or less!