When I first started in logistics, load boards felt like a goldmine.
I could log in, see available work, and pick up deliveries fast. It was simple, familiar, and everyone else was doing it too. But over time, I realized I was spinning my wheels.
I wasn’t building a business—I was chasing gigs.
There’s a hidden cost to relying on load boards. Sure, you might get work, but it’s often underpaid, unpredictable, and completely out of your control. If you’ve been depending on load boards to fill your schedule, let me tell you this:
You don’t own the work. You’re borrowing it.
And when someone else controls your work, they control your income.
Let’s break this down…
The Downsides of Load Boards
1. Low Pay, High Competition
Load boards are designed to be a race to the bottom. Whoever bids lowest gets the job—and that’s rarely the experienced business owner trying to turn a profit. You end up working more hours for less money, while someone else eats off your hard work.
2. Zero Relationship Building
When you work off a load board, you’re not dealing directly with the client. You’re just a name in a system. There’s no opportunity to show your professionalism, upsell your services, or lock in repeat work. You’re replaceable. And that’s no way to build a business.
3. No Predictable Income
You might have a great week followed by two dead ones. That feast-or-famine cycle is emotionally exhausting and financially draining. You can’t scale with inconsistency.
4. Deadhead Miles
A lot of the time, you have deadhead miles, and you lose money and waste time sitting around for a load that makes sense.
So, What’s the Alternative?
I stopped using load boards when I realized I wasn’t building leverage. I was building someone else’s business.
Instead, I started focusing on direct client acquisition and sales.
And yes—I had to learn how to sell. I had to learn how to pitch my services, position myself as a business, and confidently ask for the contract. That shift changed everything.
Why You Must Learn Sales (Yes, Even If You Hate Selling)
Let’s be honest—most couriers, drivers, and even new business owners don’t love sales. It feels uncomfortable. You’re used to doing the work, not pitching the work.
But if you want a profitable, sustainable courier business, mastering sales is non-negotiable.
Here’s why:
1. Sales = Consistent Cash Flow
When you have your own client accounts, you know what’s coming in. You’re not guessing each week. You’re not checking boards at 3 a.m. to hustle for the next run.
2. Sales = Ownership
You control the relationship. You set your rates. You choose who to work with. That’s real ownership—and it leads to real freedom.
3. Sales = Scalability
Once you have a proven sales process, you can teach it to a team or even hire a sales rep. You become the CEO, not just the driver.
Here’s What I Do Instead (and What You Can Start Doing Too)
I built a repeatable, relationship-driven sales process that I now teach inside my Routes to Revenue: How to Secure Direct Contracts workshop.
Here’s the roadmap I follow and what you’ll learn to do too:
- Identify High-Value Clients: Medical offices, labs, and specialized businesses need reliable delivery every day. These are goldmine clients if you know how to approach them.
- Craft a Winning Pitch: You don’t need to sound like a slick salesperson. You need to clearly explain the value of your service and how it solves their pain points.
- Build the Relationship: This is where most people drop the ball. Clients don’t want another “driver.” They want a partner they can trust.
- Close with Confidence: I’ll show you exactly how to ask for the business, what to include in your proposals, and how to negotiate like a pro.
But What If You’re Not a “Salesperson”? I’m glad you asked!
Let me tell you something—I wasn’t either.
I learned how to sell because I had no choice. I was tired of being underpaid and overlooked.
The good news is, sales is a skill, not a personality trait. And when you know the right steps, scripts, and strategies, it becomes second nature.
Whether you’re just starting or ready to get off the hamster wheel of gig work, now’s the time to build something you own.
Want to Ditch the Load Boards for Good?
If you’re serious about building a six-figure courier business, you can’t rely on middlemen. You need to learn how to find your own clients, negotiate contracts, and create predictable income.
My live workshop, Routes to Revenue: How to Secure Direct Contracts, is where I teach all of this—and I don’t hold back. You’ll learn:
- How to bypass load boards entirely
- Where to find high-paying clients
- How to negotiate and close the deal
- What to include in your contracts
- And how to position yourself as a business, not just a driver
👉🏽 Routes to Revenue: How to Secure Direct Contracts here —but don’t wait. I only offer this a few times a year, and seats fill up fast.
You can keep chasing gigs… or you can start building a business.
The choice is yours.
Coach Roslyn
