Hi everybody, I opened my company in April. I have been posting on Instagram almost every day, in Facebook groups 2 to 3 times a day, and doing email marketing, and I haven't received even a text. Can someone give me advice or tell me what you are doing? 😢

Best Freight Types: Reefer, Dry Van (some), Flatbed (for nursery/landscaping) What’s moving: • Citrus FL, CA, TX Berries (CA, FL, GA) • Onions / potatoes • Plants, flowers, mulch, soil (spring landscaping surge) Effects: • Rates increase, especially for reefers. • Florida & California outbound become strong • More spot market volume 2. Peak Produce Season (May – July) Best Freight Types: REEFER ( the hottest months), dry van for packaging Major produce states BOOM: • CA • Texas • Georgia • Arizona • Florida tapering off What’s moving: • Watermelons TX, GA, FL Stone fruits: California, Washington • Lettuce and tomatoes • Peaches, onions, cherries Effects: • Reefer rates skyrocket • Short haul produce loads pay extremely well • Brokers desperate for trucks easier negotiations 3. Construction Season: March - October Best freight types: Flatbed, step deck, hotshot What moves: • Lumber • Steel • Roofing materials • Heavy equipment • Concrete & building supplies Effects: • Flatbed rates rise • Southeast, Midwest, and Southwest reach peak demand • Hotshot stays busy with urgent deliveries 4. Back-to-School Retail Season: July - September Best Freight Types: Dry Van, Box Truck (local), Reefer (for chocolate, perishables) What moves: • School supplies • Attire • Electronics • Retail restocking Effects: • Dry van volumes spike • Amazon/Target/Walmart move more freight • Midwest and Southeast lanes heat up 5. Peak retail & holiday season: September - December Best Freight Types: Dry Van ( ), Reefer (food holiday rush), Step deck (equipment) What moves: • Holiday goods •Toys • Winter clothing • Thanksgiving & Christmas food products • E-commerce surge: Amazon, FedEx, UPS freight Effects: • The rates rise steadily • Thanksgiving week is VERY hot • Black Friday / Cyber Monday create huge spot market demand 6. Slow Season (January – February) Freight types affected: • Dry Van drops the most • Flatbed drops due to weather • Reefer stays semi-steady from winter produce imports

1. Always Use a Written Dispatch Agreement Before you start working with any carrier, sign a Dispatch Service Agreement that clearly includes: - Your service fee (e.g., 5–10% per load or weekly flat rate) - Payment schedule (after each load, weekly, or via invoice) - Payment method (Zelle, Wise, bank transfer, etc.) - Clause stating payment is due regardless of whether the carrier receives broker payment - Termination clause Without a written agreement, it is very hard to enforce payment. 2. Verify the Carrier Before Working Check the carrier to avoid scams or unreliable companies: - Ask for: MC number DOT number Certificate of Insurance (COI) W-9 form - - Confirm their authority is active - Check safety and activity history on FMCSA (to see if they are operating regularly) Carriers with inactive authority or very new MC numbers are higher risk. 3. Charge a Small Upfront Fee (Recommended for New Dispatchers) Many professional dispatchers request: - A setup fee ($50–$200), or - Payment after the first load is booked This helps filter serious carriers from those who may disappear. 4. Use Rate Confirmations as Proof of Work Always: - Keep copies of Rate Confirmations - Keep email or WhatsApp communication records - Maintain a load tracking sheet If a carrier refuses to pay, these documents prove you provided the service. 5. Invoice Immediately After Each Load Send a professional invoice including: - Load details - Rate confirmation reference - Your percentage or flat fee - Payment deadline (e.g., 3–7 days) Consistency reduces late payments. 6. Work With Carriers Who Have Factoring Companies Factoring companies handle payments from brokers. These carriers usually: - Run loads regularly - Have more stable cash flow - Are less likely to avoid dispatcher payments You can ask: “Are you working with a factoring company?” 7. Stop Dispatching If Payment Is Late If a carrier delays payment: - Politely remind once or twice - Do not book new loads until payment is cleared

I have my carrier authority and thinking about leasing on owner operators to run under my authority. What do you guys think? Good idea or bad idea. Or just stick with the dispatching and call it the day. Let me hear you guys thoughts on this.

This app will work as a TMS also, besides all the benefits that it offers, I could use it as a TMS?