How to Become an Independent Truck Dispatcher
Just like every industry has a core professional, the truck dispatcher is the core professional of the transportation industry.
Among other duties, the truck dispatcher, who is also known as the freight dispatcher, searches and negotiates loads with freight brokers, schedules the pick-up for every load, records information, and matches the right driver to the load that needs to be delivered.
A truck dispatcher functions as the intermediary between the driver and the client, the success or failure of the service(s) provided lies in their hands.
Successful truck dispatchers either work for a trucking company or run their own independent truck dispatcher service business. If you are looking to become an independent truck dispatcher, here are some important steps you can take to become one:
Get Educated: The importance of education in every facet of life cannot be overemphasized. You do not necessarily need to be a perpetual student like Michael Nicholson, who has 30 degrees. All you need is to have at least a high school diploma or GED.
Learn About Truck Dispatching: You cannot work in an industry you have little or no knowledge about. So, enroll for a mini course on truck dispatching. We have created a FREE mini course for those who are interested in learning about dispatching, logistics, and the trucking industry in general. No degree in logistics or transportation are required to have the desire to work independently.
Develop Customer Related Skills: The core part of this skill is communication. You have to communicate with customers to now their needs and communicate with drivers to get the job done. So, build a strong customer service skill that make you empathetic, approachable and customer oriented.
Understand Your Core Responsibilities: Independent freight dispatchers assign loads, instruct their drivers, handle billings on behalf of their clients, and negotiate rates. While carriers provide their dispatchers with the tools required for immediate execution of duties, an independent freight dispatcher will have to rent the necessary space and equipment to run their businesses successfully.
Draft A Plan of Action: Your plan of action should include your ideas on how to dispatch trucks from your office. Gather some important forms that must have in order to run your business smoothly and securely. For example, driver application requirement, and an independent truck dispatcher-carrier agreement, dispatch service rate agreement, and credit card authorization forms. In your contract forms, be clear about the activities you provide. If some services require extra fees, clearly indicate.
Get Your Work-Space Ready: You can decide to work from home or rent a work space; it’s all up to you. Either way, you will need to get your office ready for running your business. To set up your office, you will need a computer, printer, quality phone system, and software that can keep activities in check.
Promote Your Business Online: There is no business without customers. So, after putting everything in place, set up your website, and promote your business. Build a relationship with carriers and know the people around you who are also in the trucking community, partner with companies and local organizations, and invest in paid advertisements; especially social media.
So, there you have it, all you need to know and do to become an independent truck dispatcher. Absolutely, you can certainly do anything you put your mind to. It takes actions; it takes perseverance. Don’t hesitate, start your freight dispatcher journey today.