Top Insights
- How to Win Friends and Influence People: Teaches genuine communication techniques to build lasting trust with clients and carriers.
- Atomic Habits: Shows how small, consistent daily actions compound into major business wins over time.
- The Sales Bible: Delivers proven strategies for prospecting, closing deals, and cultivating customer loyalty.
- Freight Broker and Trucking Business Startup: A step‑by‑step guide to legal setup, finding loads, and scaling your brokerage.
- Extreme Ownership: Imparts Navy SEAL–tested leadership lessons for decisive, accountable decision‑making under pressure.
- Profit First: Introduces a cash‑management system that prioritizes profit allocation from day one.
- The 10X Rule: Challenges you to set audacious goals and take ten times the action to outpace the competition.
There’s a reason people say, “Readers are leaders.” No matter the industry, those who take time to learn, grow, and improve their knowledge often rise to the top.
The freight brokerage industry is no exception. The more you read, the more you understand how the industry works, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to build a strong, successful brokerage.
These seven books offer practical tools and insights that’ll set you on the path to success.
1. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
How to Win Friends and Influence People is a classic that teaches you how to connect with people and build lasting business relationships.
Its timeless advice helps freight brokers create trust with clients and carriers through clear, genuine communication. Whether you’re pitching a new client or resolving a dispute, these strategies will keep your network strong.
What you’ll learn in this book
- Practical ways to build real connections with people by showing genuine interest in them.
- Simple strategies for making a great first impression in any business conversation.
- How to handle disagreements or complaints without damaging relationships.
2. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Atomic Habits is a practical guide to building good habits, breaking bad ones, and making small changes that lead to big results.
The book’s core message is that success doesn’t come from one big change. It comes from doing small things every day that compound over time.
For freight brokers, daily habits like following up with leads or refining processes can transform your business over time. This book is your guide to making those habits stick.
What you’ll learn in this book
- Habits shape your identity, so by aligning your daily routines with your goals, you’ll become the person you want to be.
- Bad habits lose their power when you break the triggers that start them and replace them with better choices.
- Good habits can stick long-term when they’re built into your routine and not left to willpower.
Want more than just good habits? The 90-Day Freight Broker Course gives you the knowledge, templates, and tips to build your business step by step.
3. The Sales Bible by Jeffrey Gitomer
Sales is a key part of the business, making The Sales Bible a must-read for freight brokers.
Whether you’re prospecting for new clients or negotiating with carriers, this book delivers proven strategies to close deals and build loyalty.
What you’ll learn in this book
- Selling starts with trust, and people are more likely to buy from those they like and believe in.
- A positive, confident attitude is one of the most powerful tools for winning more sales.
- Giving value first builds trust and makes customers more open to doing business with you.
- Following up is often the difference between losing a sale and closing it successfully.
4. Freight Broker and Trucking Business Startup by Terence Hargraves
Freight Broker and Trucking Business Startup is a beginner-friendly guide that helps readers launch a freight brokerage, a trucking business, or both.
This book provides a full view of how brokers and carriers work together and is ideal for anyone starting out without any prior experience.
What you’ll learn in this book
- How to handle all the legal requirements, registrations, and licenses required to set up your business properly.
- Discover practical ways to find freight, negotiate contracts, and generate income quickly.
- Build your team by recruiting drivers, expanding your operations, and boosting profits steadily.
- Plan for future growth, scale your business, hire drivers, and increase profits steadily.
For guided help with everything from planning to sales, the 90-Day Freight Broker Course offers real-world strategies and expert advice to help you start strong.
5. Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win Hardcover by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
Extreme Ownership is a leadership book built on lessons learned from Navy SEAL combat missions.
Jocko Willink and Leif Babin show how to lead with clarity and stay calm under pressure. These principles will help you guide your team and make smart decisions in tough situations.
What you’ll learn in this book
- How strong leadership starts with setting clear goals and communicating them to others.
- Why leaders must stay calm under pressure to make better decisions in tough situations.
- Why there’s no room for blame in leadership, only solutions.
6. Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz
Profit First is all about managing business finances. It teaches you how to prioritize profit from day one, not just hope for it at the end of the year.
This approach can help freight brokers build a profitable business no matter how big or small you start.
What you’ll learn in this book
- How taking profit first, before paying expenses, changes the way you manage business finances.
- Why sales-focused growth without profit can turn your business into a “cash‑eating monster.”
- How to identify your most profitable services and focus on them for steady income.
7. The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure by Grant Cardone
The 10X Rule pushes you to set massive goals and take bold action. It’s perfect for entrepreneurs who want to outwork competitors and grow their businesses faster than expected.
Grant Cardone explains that most people fail not because they aim too high and miss, but because they aim too low and hit. The book challenges you to raise your standards, set higher goals, and break through limitations.
What you’ll learn in this book
- How to set audacious, tenfold goals that challenge you to think and achieve far beyond your comfort zone.
- Why taking ten times more action than you think is the key to unlocking major success.
- Average effort leads to average results. Success demands obsession and unreasonable action.
Why Freight Brokers Should Read Books
- Learn from experts. Many freight broker books are written by experienced brokers who have been in the business for decades. You get to learn what worked for them and what didn’t.
- Understand industry terms. Freight brokering has its own language, including terms like surety bonds, load boards, and carrier vetting. Books act as comprehensive guides that break these down in simple ways.
- Develop key skills. Books cover essential skills like negotiation, prospecting, customer service, and problem-solving. These skills will help you land and keep clients.
- Affordable learning. Books are one of the most affordable ways to learn how to become a successful freight broker. They are less expensive than courses and expert coaches.
FAQs
1. Can reading books alone help me become a freight broker?
Books are a great and affordable starting point when starting a new business. However, to become a freight broker, you also need practical training, real examples, and industry guidance. That’s why pairing books with a program like the 90-Day Freight Broker Course is the best way to build confidence and start strong.
2. Can I start a freight brokerage without experience?
Yes, you can launch a new freight brokerage business without having solid experience. Many freight brokers started by learning the basics and building the right systems.
With the right training, dedication, and tools, you can launch and grow your business, even as a beginner.
Final Thoughts
The right books can be the difference between guessing your way through the freight industry and building a brokerage with real confidence and skills. So, if you’re serious about starting or growing your freight broker business, make reading a daily habit.
If you want a faster, more guided path, the 90-Day Freight Broker Course gives you everything you need to run a profitable freight brokerage business.
Start learning today and take the next step toward your freight broker career.
Sources:
- https://www.freightbrokerscourse.com/must-read-books-for-freight-brokers/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/FreightBrokers/comments/s7odns/freight_broker_textbooks/
- https://www.lancesuretybonds.com/blog/4-top-freight-broker-training-books
- https://kopflogisticsgroup.com/2025/02/books-for-freight-brokers/
- https://booksareawesome.net/book/9781952597947