5 Tips to grow your freight agency: Advice from agents who know

Running and growing a successful freight agency requires adaptability, creativity and a focus on building strong relationships. To help you get started, we gathered five practical tips from CRST’s freight agent network that can help you open doors to new opportunities.
Tips to grow your freight agency

1. Diversify your expertise

While specializing in a niche can establish your reputation, it’s important to consider branching out into other areas of freight. Exploring new lanes, equipment types or industries can unlock freight opportunities. Diversification can balance your agency’s portfolio and make it more resilient in changing markets. 

 

2. Adjust your rates strategically

Sometimes, the difference between landing a couple of loads and securing consistent business is a small rate adjustment. Consider how offering a more competitive rate might encourage a potential customer to send you additional freight opportunities over time. Think long-term – building relationships often outweighs short-term margins. 

 

 3. Be memorable

What makes your agency stand out? Whether it’s your exceptional customer service, fast response times or creative problem-solving, leverage what makes you unique. Potential customers often remember a positive and professional interaction. That edge could help you win their business. 

 

4. Expand your team

Growing your agency often requires growing your team. Adding skilled agents who align with your vision and values can help you take on more freight and serve a wider range of customers. Investing in the right people can be a game-changer for your business. 

 

5. Collaborate with other agents

Freight opportunities aren’t just about landing new customers – they’re also about building connections. Partnering with other agents can create win-win situations, such as finding backhaul opportunities or covering loads in areas outside your regular network. Collaborations strengthen the community and can drive growth for everyone involved. 

 

Final thoughts

Growing a freight agency requires persistence, strategy and willingness to adapt. By diversifying, offering competitive rates, standing out from the competition, expanding your team and collaborating with fellow agents, you can position your agency for long-term success. 

One more way to grow? Consider partnering with CRST. With maintenance and tire discounts, assistance with billing and pricing and more, we can help you achieve your dreams. Head over to our Agent page to learn more and join our team.