How to Find Truck Loads for Owner-Operators

How often do you think about the number of carriers in the US? Believe it or not, there are many more than you realize, and for those running independent businesses, the question of how to get truck loads for owner-operators, remains perplexing. Unfortunately, there hasn’t truly been a one-size-fits-all solution to trucker marketing and getting more trucking business until now. But first, it’s important to know what you’re up against. As the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) reported, the US is home to approximately 350,000 owner-operators, and the average owner-operator owns 1.2 trucks and 1.2 trailers.

A mere one-fifth of a trailer can’t exist, but it does highlight the importance of knowing how to find loads for trucks. Finding loads for truckers is often a gambit and subject to uncertainty, economic risks, and the ability of each owner-operator to market their businesses. Fortunately, there are a few ways to prioritize your efforts and successfully get more loads. 

Advertise Your Trucking Business Strategically.

Any successful business starts with advertising, but advertising doesn’t equal spending thousands per month on billboards. Instead, the trick is to look for ways to find truck loads for owner-operators without breaking the bank. In other words, you’ll want to consider how much money can be allocated to advertising and its return on investment (ROI). 

Furthermore, you’ll want to ensure that whatever you do, you have a quality way to collect leads and get more shippers to call you for their needs. 

Connect and Work With Freight Brokers to Find Freight Loads.

Part of the challenge in getting more shipper clients comes from their volume. Millions of shippers are in the US alone, and manually contacting each is unreasonable. This is where working with freight brokers to find loads for trucks can help. Brokers will have established relationships with shippers, and when brokers need coverage, they call you. It’s that simple. Of course, they can only call if they know what type of freight you haul and whether you have all the appropriate endorsements, certifications, and insurance.

Fortunately, you can get that information in front of brokers easily by claiming your free CarrierSource profile, and you can follow these instructions to get it up and running today.

Claim Your CarrierSource Profile Now.

Leverage the Power of Newsletters and Weekly Emails. 

Never underestimate the power of newsletters and weekly availability emails. Remember when you’d have to provide your work schedule availability to past employers? Well, you can apply the same tactic in reverse. Send weekly newsletters or emails to share your availability with shippers. In fact, a CarrierSource premium subscription puts this exact process on autopilot!

Find Truck Loads for Owner Operators in Government.

Government contracting is another great option for drivers that want to know how to find truck loads for owner-operators. However, the government loads may come with specific requirements, regulations, and additional processes for getting into their systems. For those just starting out, it’s best to start local, speaking with your municipality or city-owned utility service providers to find out if they need truckers. 

Think About Load-Matching Apps and Technology.

Any conversation about finding loads inevitably includes discussing load-matching apps and technology. Yes, these apps and load-boards work, but be aware they take a massive amount of time. You’ll have to sort through lists of loads and find those that align with your availability. Also, you may not have the time to review each load’s requirements carefully, and before you know it, you’ve booked a load that won’t be as profitable. Yet, you can still find some loads when the pickings are slim.

Put Your Brand in Front of Brokers and Shippers With a Complete Website and CarrierSource.

The last step to finding more loads for owner-operators is a complete website. It doesn’t need to have 100 individual pages to succeed. It must only look professional, cover your services, and be updated. Fortunately, CarrierSource can help you achieve this goal and get your complete trucker profile in front of more people! That's more possible prospects to help you grow and avoid deadheading. Plus, you can claim your profile for free, and signing up for a yearly subscription to CarrierSource on our premium plan costs far less than filling up for your next long haul! Check out our subscription plans now, and supercharge your load-finding power by signing up for CarrierSource today!