QuestionBob,
I would go under the "Trucking" heading in the yellow pages, also I would be the only trucking co. with an ad. There is a list of trucking co. but no ad's. I have my logo on my door but like you said a traveling billboard, so I will look into truck lettering.
Thanks,
Your advice is priceless
Scott,
Shore Express Transport
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Bob,
How do feel about placing an ad in the phone book. It's a little pricey but I think it's my only hope. I have done the local business drop buy but only scraped up one acount.
Thank you for your help!
It is greatly appreciated
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I started my trucking company last year. I run a 24' box truck. 99% of my business is greenhouse work, witch is seasonal. How can I acquire more business? Brokers dont seem to be to interested in what I have to offer. I dont know if I want to get involved in LTL. Any advice would be great.
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Hi Scott.
Congratulations on starting your trucking company. It's funny, I know of a Nursery here in Florida who kind of has your issue. My friend, who owns it, doesn't need the truck but a few times a month. It sits the rest of the time, though, those few times a month are year around.
He had the issue, which will also be yours come summer, that he can't haul his product and be dependable for any new customers that he may get.
My advise would be to get out and sell. Take your business card and drop it off at every decent size business in your area. Talk to whoever is in charge of shipping and always try to get past the person I call the "gatekeeper". He or she will try and keep their boss from seeing sales people. One trick I use to do was get the shipping manager's name. Say it was Fred Wilson. I would thank the "gatekeeper" and drop off my card. Then I would stop by a week later and ask for Fred Wilson. When the "gatekeeper" would say he is busy, I would hand him an envelope that says "Personal for Fred Wilson" and make sure it's sealed. Inside would be nothing more than my business card and a note saying I would like an opportunity to bid on his next shipment. As corny as that sounds, it's worked wonders for me and I've gotten a few accounts off this method.
With a 24', that would be the best advise I could give. Brokers aren't going to have too much, if anything, for you and I know LTL can be a pain. Many local business may have only a few pallets (which would fill your truck) going local that you can get. They're not going to call a broker, they'll call Roadway or similar LTL company and wash their hands of it. That's why you need to go out and sell.
I would then look at how feasible it is to haul for Nurseries. Like I said before, in the summer you don't want to leave the new accounts hanging. You may not get them back in the fall. Once you build some relationships, it might be advisable to transition out of greenhouse work all together. At the end of the year, you'll have to look at the numbers and it will help you decide.
Good luck!
Bob Stephens
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The phone book is not bad advertising, but it is expensive. My wife use to sell yellow page advertising and I asked her advice. She said that whatever category you go in, try to get as high up in that category as possible. If you actually have a category "Trucking Companies", try to be one of the first ones, because the farther down you are, the less calls you'll get. In our phone book, numbers come before letters. So "1 Scott Trucking" will come before "AAA Scott Trucking". Is it a pain in the rear to change your company name? Sure, but you don't want to pay a lot of money for worthless advertising.
Make sure you get in the right category, too. Sales reps may try and stick you in something like "Truck Rental" because they have no clue. Your not Ryder, so get your category right.
Also, instead of paying more for a bigger ad, try to get into more books in the surrounding areas. See how they work for you, then you can focus on the area with the most responses.
Also, keep trying with the sales calls. They won't give you business overnight, but if you keep showing your face, they will eventually.
Another thing to consider is lettering your truck. If you box has nothing on it, go find the nearest sign shop and get an estimate on lettering it up. You have a mobile billboard, after all. You don't want it to say just "Scott Trucking" or whatever your name is. You want it to say "Call us for all your shipping needs" and "Serving Chicago and Northwest Indiana" or wherever you live along with a phone number. Keep it fairly simple, and the cost will be reasonable, but I highly recommend that. Like I said, your driving a billboard, use it!
Good luck!
Bob Stephens
AnswerThe only one in under trucking? That's great!
When you go to a sign shop, like I said, keep it simple. You just want to advertise your services. Some sign shops will try and sell you full color graphics and want to make you a logo. Keep it simple and ask for vinyl lettering, but have a powerful message.
Good luck!
Bob Stephens
