When you are running a shipping business, you will notice from time to time that your workload can dwindle. This is even more so if you are running your own small-time shipping business where shipments can very well beone-offs. In this situation, to keep yourself busy, you will have to continuously be looking for the next job. However, there are ways in which you can cut down on the amount of stress that this ongoing situation causes.
#1 Advertise in your local area
Undoubtedly, you will already be doing some form of advertising in your local area, but it is advisable to do as much as you possibly can. Putting cards in store windows and on notice boards is likely to find you a little work, and even carrying out a leaflet drop can help.
You may find it beneficial to hand out flyers at rummage sales or offer them to your local real estate agents so that potential customers can opt for your services rather than paying for a large removal company – especially if they only have a small number of items to move.
#2 Show off your services on social media
Social media is a very powerful tool– it is, therefore, important that you place your business and your services on any of the available platforms, if not all of them.
Rather than just showing a picture of your van or your business card, you post a video of yourself and talk about the care and attention required when moving items from A to B in one piece and provide a short guide on packing.
#3 Use load board websites to gain work
Of course, one of the easiest ways is to use a website with load-board facilities. This is where individuals and businesses can post shipping work they would like to be carried out. For instance, checking out a business website like Shiply will provide you with shipments in your area as well as for further afield.
If you happen to see shipping work that appeals to you, then you will need to bid on it and wait to see if you have been successful. If so, you will be put in contact with the customer to work out collection and delivery times.
#4 Encourage recommendations from your customers
There is no better recommendation than those made by word of mouth, and the best way of getting those past and current customers talking about how good your business was to them is to offer them either a giveaway in the form of swag or a discount on their next shipping venture with your company.
This will not only have them offering your business card around to their friends and family but also have them booking your services again in the future. Even in the current day and age of global advertising, digital marketing, social media, influencers, and even TV and radio advertising, there truly is no substitute for good old-fashioned word-of-mouth marketing and recommendations. That is among the oldest yet best ways of securing more business and growing your brand’s reputation.
