In order for your trucking company to thrive, you’ll need a steady stream of orders from both new and returning customers. Many trucking companies rely heavily on online load boards and word-of-mouth strategies to find new clients, and while these methods can be effective, you’ll need to branch out in order to prevent your business from stagnating. By using a wider variety of creative marketing strategies, you’ll attract a wider audience, improve your brand recognition, and ultimately generate more business. Here are some of the best marketing strategies for trucking companies to implement into your business plan. 

1. Create organic social media content

You might be surprised by just how effective a good social media post can be for generating new business. Posting regularly on social media platforms helps you get your company’s name out there and gives you an opportunity to interact directly with the shipping community. The key to social media success is figuring out which networks your target customers are likely to spend time on and what type of content they are interested in seeing. Don’t be afraid to experiment with content on multiple platforms - LinkedIn and Facebook are popular options for trucking companies, but TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube allow you to get even more creative with video content. Make sure you’re using hashtags and interacting with other users to generate traffic. There are many different ways to approach your social media strategy, depending on the brand image you’re looking to portray. Some companies use a lighthearted, humorous approach, others focus on education, and many provide a mix of both. Ultimately, you’ll need to focus on what’s most authentic to your brand. 

2. Collect reviews from happy customers 

Would-be customers have plenty of options when it comes to choosing a shipping company, and many of them turn to online reviews from other customers to make their decisions. To capitalize on this, encourage happy customers to leave positive reviews for you on platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, and other customer directories. You can also ask for testimonials to use on your website. Positive online reviews give your trucking company a sense of credibility that is hard to create on your own. You’ll want to make sure you’re responding to reviews, whether it’s to thank a customer for a positive review or address any problems that arise in a negative one. You may also want to share particularly glowing reviews on social media. 

3. Promote your company at industry events & podcasts

One of the best ways to market your company is by establishing yourself as an industry leader. The first way to do this is by attending industry events. Trade shows are a great way to provide valuable networking opportunities and exposure for your trucking company. Consider setting up a booth to showcase your services, engage with potential customers, and connect with industry professionals. If a booth isn’t manageable, you can also attend these events to network and promote yourself through word of mouth. This will also help you gauge the competitive landscape and know where you could improve elements of your business.

Another way to do this is by promoting your company on shipping industry podcasts. Popular trucking podcasts, like Freight Famous, discuss industry news and trends and feature engaging conversations with industry leaders. There are a few different ways to promote your trucking company on a podcast. The first is to have your founder or one of your executives appear on these podcasts as a guest. This usually requires extensive networking and takes time to do, but is a very effective way to demonstrate your team’s trucking expertise. You can also opt to advertise on trucking industry podcasts with a sizable listener base. This method is very effective because the podcast audience is already interested in trucking, and many listeners may actively need trucking services. 

4. Use truck wraps to build brand awareness

Consider building brand awareness while you’re on the road with a truck wrap. A truck wrap is a large vinyl decal that you can use to display graphics and text on your vehicle. Truck wraps are an easy way to display your company’s name, logo, and phone number. Since your drivers are on the road so much, it’s likely that thousands of people will see it each day, so it’s a great way to help get the word out. 

5. Give your website a face lift

Your website serves as your trucking company’s home on the internet, so you’ll want to make sure it makes a strong first impression. A well-made website can also do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to your marketing strategy. The best place to start is with a website that’s both visually appealing and informative. You’ll also want to use search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to help your site rank well on Google. Consider working with an SEO professional to help you with keyword research, link building, and other components of your SEO strategy.  Putting a blog on your website will help you attract even more visitors. Blogs are a great way to share your trucking expertise and establish yourself as an industry leader, and they are also a helpful SEO tool. 

The bottom line

Diversifying your marketing strategies is a very effective way to attract new customers to your trucking business. To streamline your trucking business even further, be sure to check out Rose Rocket, the #1 rated TMS, and book a demo below to learn more!