Creating targeted content is the foundation of effective digital marketing for freight brokers.
However, with limited resources, determining content priorities is crucial. The right strategy focuses on providing educational resources, optimizing for search visibility, and establishing thought leadership.
In this article, we’ll explore the proven best freight broker training content types to maximize your reach, leads, and authority.
Educate to Attract New Industry Talent
One major focus area should be creating content that educates potential new brokers on the industry.
Many prospects know little about the broker role or how to get started. Provide value by explaining:
- The responsibilities of a broker and how brokers add value in the supply chain.
- Core logistics and operations skills needed to succeed as a broker.
- Licensing processes and legal requirements for new brokers.
- Technology platforms and software for managing freight operations.
- Pros and cons of the broker role and ideal personality traits.
Informational content draws in newcomers and positions your firm as a subject matter expert.
Creating Beginner Guides and FAQs
Develop comprehensive beginner guides that walk through all aspects of getting started as a new freight broker. Cover details like:
- Steps for obtaining licensing and authority.
- Building an operating plan and business model.
- Identifying ideal partners and services providers.
- Setting up brokerage infrastructure and software.
- Sales strategies for securing first customers.
In addition, an FAQ section addressing common questions is highly useful for beginners. Thorough education content provides tremendous value.
Create Specific “How To” Guidance
Take education deeper by providing tactical “how to” advice for launching and running a brokerage profitably.
Some examples include:
- Step-by-step guides for obtaining freight broker authority licensing.
- Best practices for sales prospecting to secure shippers and carriers.
- Tips for negotiating competitive freight rates and margins.
- Recommended freight broker software tools and implementation.
- Methods for streamlining back-office documentation and invoicing.
“How to” content demonstrates your operational expertise.
Leveraging Charts, Checklists, and Video
Enhance “how to” content by incorporating visual aids like charts, checklists, and video walkthroughs demonstrating key concepts. These visuals make your guidance easy to follow and digest.
Video is especially impactful for technical topics and step-by-step overviews. Short 2-3 minute videos can clearly convey complex processes better than text alone.
Optimize Website Content for SEO Visibility
Your website itself offers a major content marketing opportunity. Optimize pages and blog posts for keywords shippers may search when looking for brokers.
Tips for on-site SEO:
- Perform keyword research using Google Keyword Planner to identify high-potential terms. Look at competitor content for guidance.
- Incorporate target keywords naturally throughout page content, titles, URLs, image names, etc.
- Create location-specific pages optimized for keywords involving major shipping lanes, logistics hubs, and regions you operate in.
- Produce long-form guides going deep on relevant search topics.
- Update old content to keep it fresh and performing for evolving search queries.
On-site optimization attracts qualified traffic from Google searches.
Driving SEO Traffic with Location Pages
One effective tactic is creating dedicated pages targeting searches for specific shipping routes and regions.
Pages like “Chicago to Atlanta Freight Brokers” leverage geo-based keywords while showcasing your expertise in shipping to/from those major logistics hubs.
Location pages also allow you to tailor content around services, carriers, and advantages specific to those major lanes that are most important to your brokerage.
Demonstrate Thought Leadership Through Insights
Become a trusted industry voice by publishing insights demonstrating your market vision and expertise.
Thought leadership content ideas include:
- Data-driven industry trend reports. Analyze freight volumes, costs, compliance impacts, etc.
- Future forecasting examining how emerging technologies like AI and automation may disrupt brokerage.
- Advice columns answering common broker questions from readers.
- Interviews with other industry experts and carriers.
- Reviews of new logistics technologies and tools.
Thought leadership builds brand authority and reputation.
Partner With Industry Trade Associations
Look for opportunities to partner with trade organizations and publications in your freight niche to co-create and distribute thought leadership content. These partnerships expand your reach and help establish credibility.
For example, provide data analysis for a report published by a key industry association. This grows awareness and trust in your brokerage.
Promote Content Across Digital Channels
To maximize impact, aggressively promote created content across digital channels.
Leverage:
- Email lists and nurture streams.
- Social media posts and ads.
- Retargeting campaigns back to your content.
- Search and display ads driving to relevant content.
Multi-channel promotion fully leverages your high-quality content.
Following a targeted content strategy focused on education, search optimization, and thought leadership will drive more freight brokerage leads and accelerate brand growth.
