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What to Do (and What Not to Do) When Promoting Your Courier Business

If you’re new to the business of freight forwarding, or if you feel you’re going a little stale when it comes to promoting your business, we have some great tips to help get you motivated. It’s a tough and competitive industry out there, so it’s in your best interests to do what you can to get your company (or yourself, if you’re an owner driver) on the radar of potential customers.
Ways to Promote Your Business

A Website

The very first thing you should do if you want to promote your business meaningfully is to set up a website and, if possible, a blog. Although you may think that due to your location you have the potential to get the monopoly on available work, you could be mistaken. Other freight forwarders and owner driver operators may have plans to set up in your local area, so you need to stay ahead of the competition.

If you’re not used to dealing with computers, you may think that setting up a website would be too much of a challenge. But there are plenty of platforms available to help you create a website very easily and with minimal effort. The great news is that it won’t necessarily cost much either.

Get Yourself Online

Following on from getting a website up and running, establishing an online presence is imperative. Get socially active and set up Facebook and Twitter accounts as soon as possible. This not only allows you to reach customers you may not otherwise have, but it also offers the chance to join online communities that are relevant to your business and local area.

The more presence you have online, the more people will know about the services you offer. Online forums are a good platform on which to promote your services, with many allowing you to leave your contact details.

A SWOT Analysis

By doing a SWOT analysis, you can identify the areas of your business that need improving. It is these areas that you will focus on when steering your marketing and promotional strategy. But what exactly is a SWOT analysis?

Strengths – You need to consider what strengths you see in your company and how these have the potential to be a positive benefit to the community in which you are working.

Weaknesses – Equally important are the weaknesses. You must find ways of dealing with these.

Opportunities – You need to stay aware of potential opportunities to enhance your company. If you’re an owner driver, hand your business cards out whenever you can so you can be in front of people when it comes to potential work.

Threats – Check out the competition and make the necessary changes that will not only keep your existing customer base but also encourage the customers of other companies to consider switching to your services.

What Not to Do

Don’t Spam People

This will only infuriate potential customers. People hate to be bombarded with promotional material, so be careful not to be tempted to do this.

Don’t Ignore Price Comparison Sites

There is so much information available online and customers often turn to price comparison sites when making a decision on which firm to use. Register with as many of these sites as you can, so people are aware of the great offers you provide.

Don’t Get Lazy

You can’t rest on your laurels and stop networking. Online promotion is all very well, but the old school method of talking to people is a hugely successful strategy as well. Conduct yourself professionally and make yourself amenable to potential customers and you could win more business than you ever thought possible.

This might all appear to be simple advice when it comes to promoting your services, but it’s surprising how many businesses get complacent. Getting your company’s name and reputation out there is paramount if your business is to be healthy and flourish for years to come.

Whether you’re an owner driver or a company manager, you need to stay on top of your company promotion at all times and these tips will help.

Author Plate

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world’s largest neutral trading hub for same day owner driver courier jobs in the express freight exchange industry. Numerous transport exchange businesses are networked together on their website, trading jobs and capacity through what is now the fastest growing Freight Exchange in the UK.

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New Speed Cameras Catching Red Light Runners

Merseyside owner drivers need to be aware that a new speed camera is being trialled by police. This camera not only catches speeding vehicles but has been designed to catch red light jumpers too. Known as ‘speed on green’ cameras, they are part of a new innovation that aims to improve safety on the road and deter anyone behind the wheel from speeding up through traffic lights as they are changing.
What the Cameras Do

The principle aim of this technology is to catch drivers jumping lights. They are also, however, fine-tuned to catch anyone speeding through them, regardless of whether the lights are changing or not.

What are the Benefits?

Hundreds of people are involved in serious vehicle accidents annually. In Merseyside alone, 577 people were seriously injured or lost their lives last year. It is hoped that these cameras will help make a significant reduction in collisions, especially at junctions.

Forewarned is Forearmed

The Road Safety Partnership and Merseyside Police are the innovators behind the trial and have identified several appropriate junctions in the Merseyside area suitable for the trial. These junctions are deemed particularly risky and it is thought that the cameras could be enough of a deterrent for drivers who would normally be tempted to take unnecessary risks. In the long run they will behave more responsibly and road safety will improve.

People not driving slowly enough to stop as the lights change or as pedestrian begin to cross the road cause most accidents at traffic lights. It is good advice to all owner drivers to pay attention to their speed, regardless of whether these ‘speed on green’ cameras are in place – but by knowing that they may be fined as a result of risky decisions at junctions, vehicle owners will hopefully drive more carefully and responsibly.

The Penalties

Owner drivers have a reputation to uphold and understandably most of them want to avoid being caught for minor offences. Consequences include Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) and fines of £100, as well as three points added to the license of anyone caught speeding by a ‘speed on green’ camera. More serious offences receive a greater punishment and possible court proceedings, as well as steeper fines. On top of this, jumping a red light incurs another fine of £100 and an additional three points on a license so if you are caught both speeding and running the light, the fine is £200 and six points immediately.

If this trial is successful it will be rolled out nationwide. Owner drivers are responsible for their behaviour on the road and, despite having targets to meet and deadlines to adhere to, safety comes first – these cameras will help remind every vehicle user that of that and make the roads a better place to be.

Author Plate

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world’s largest neutral trading hub for same day owner driver courier jobs in the express freight exchange industry. Numerous transport exchange businesses are networked together on their website, trading jobs and capacity through what is now the fastest growing Freight Exchange in the UK.

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Haulier Helpers: Bringing Your Pet on the Road with You

Haulage work can involve long days on the road with little to keep you entertained, but there’s no excuse to be bored during your time on the road if you can take you pet along with you! What may seem like an ordinary drive to you will be an exciting adventure for them, and their enthusiasm will rejuvenate your energy no end.
Whether you’re keen to bring your cat or dog (it may be wise to leave the more unusual creatures such as rabbits or snakes at home), this guide offers top tips and advice on what supplies to bring with you for a comfortable journey for you and your furry companion.

Top Tips:

• Pet proof your vehicle. Be sure to block off the driving area, particularly the pedals, and create a designated space for them inside the truck. • Be prepared for emergencies. Plan for any surprise expenses you might need to make and keep a list handy of all emergency care facilities and vets. • Put together a file of health and vaccination records to bring in the vehicle and take extra medication (should your cat or dog require it). • Make sure their collar has in-date contact information, and it is always a good idea to microchip your pet so that if they get lost they can be easily identified. • Plan ahead. If you are bringing your dog, allow time on your journey for it to get plenty of exercise – it will be very beneficial for you, too!

Cats vs. Dogs

As the age-old debate proves, there are pros and cons to owning both cats and dogs, and the same applies when considering which animals are suitable to take on a journey.

For instance, cats may require litter boxes, which can be messy and inconvenient and also creates the problem of odours in a confined space. Cats, by their nature, may also be less inclined to be content to travel in a vehicle than dogs. Should they become distressed, they might scratch your interiors or cry, causing a driving distraction. However, on the other hand, if your cat is a keen traveller, they don’t need as much exercise as dogs so it will cut down the amount of stops you’ll need to make, and they will often happily curl up alongside you and be a great travel buddy.

Both cats and dogs can be excellent driving companions, just make sure they do genuinely enjoy the experience.

What to Bring:

Although bringing a furry driving companion with you on haulage work has its advantages, you will need to be prepared to bring extra supplies in the vehicle – in which there is usually limited space. Here are some ideas of what you should consider bringing:

• Extra cleaning supplies and air fresheners – trust us on this one. • Lots of water and a container your cat or dog can drink out of – rubber collapsible water bowls can be great space-savers. • Food and treats. Bring more than you will need in case of a breakdown or other emergency. • Toys. Dogs in particular may need to be kept entertained. • Lead. Any time you exit the vehicle your dog (or cat) should be restrained.

Bring Some Fun to your Haulage Work

You may not usually get to spend time with your furry friend if you have a job driving all day, so you can enjoy their company if you do decide to take them on the road. After all, there is nothing a dog can’t get excited about, so it will love being alongside its best friend while they’re at work. And a cat? Well, probably the most thanks you can expect is tolerance, which is high praise indeed!

Author Plate

Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry. Connecting logistics professionals across the UK and Europe through their website, Haulage Exchange provides services for matching haulage work with available drivers. Over 5,400 member companies are networked together through the Exchange to fill empty capacity, get new clients and form long-lasting business relationships.

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