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Preparing for DAT Load Board Subscription

Before subscribing to DAT, you should establish your business as an independent dispatcher, prepare necessary tools and accounts, and gain foundational knowledge about trucking. Key steps include creating a dispatcher-carrier agreement, setting up a professional email and payment methods, and building a list of potential carriers. Ensure you have all preparations in place to avoid wasting money on DAT without having carriers signed on first.

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adamaccordpitch
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14 views2 pages

Preparing for DAT Load Board Subscription

Before subscribing to DAT, you should establish your business as an independent dispatcher, prepare necessary tools and accounts, and gain foundational knowledge about trucking. Key steps include creating a dispatcher-carrier agreement, setting up a professional email and payment methods, and building a list of potential carriers. Ensure you have all preparations in place to avoid wasting money on DAT without having carriers signed on first.

Uploaded by

adamaccordpitch
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

🔑 Step 0: Foundation (Before You Subscribe to DAT)

1️⃣ Business Setup

 ✅ Decide: Start as Independent Dispatcher (No LLC at first)


→ Yes, you can start without LLC, but later (3–6 months) you may need it for taxes,
trust, and scaling.
 📄 Prepare a simple contract template for carriers (dispatcher–carrier agreement).
→ You’ll need this signed before dispatching loads.
→ You can find free dispatcher–carrier templates online (I can prepare one for you).

2️⃣ Tools & Accounts

 📧 Professional Email → Example: [Link]@[Link] (later, custom


domain).
 🖥️Computer/Laptop + Stable Internet (mandatory).
 ☎️Communication → WhatsApp (for now) or OpenPhone (later for U.S. number).
 💳 Payment Setup:
o Wise Business Account → To receive international payments from carriers.
o Personal PayPal → Backup (not mandatory if Wise Business is ready).

3️⃣ Knowledge Prep

 📚 Learn basics:
o Truck types → Dry van, Reefer, Flatbed.
o Regions → Example: Midwest has lots of loads, Northeast is busy but toll-
heavy.
o Rate per mile (RPM) → Negotiation benchmark.

I can make a cheat sheet (PDF) for you with common truck types & rates if you want.

4️⃣ Marketing Prep (Before DAT)

 ✅ Build a carrier list (you’ll need truck owners to serve).


o Start with: Craigslist (U.S. transport section), Facebook trucker groups,
LinkedIn.
o Send messages offering dispatch services → “I find loads for your truck, I
only get paid when you get paid.”
 ✅ Prepare a simple flyer/intro message with:
o Who you are
o What you offer
o Payment method (5–10% of load revenue)
🔜 Once all of this is ready → Then Subscribe to DAT
Power (load board)
Because if you join DAT before having at least 1 carrier signed, you’ll waste money.

👉 So, Adam, before your first DAT login, you need:

1. ✅ Dispatcher–Carrier Agreement template


2. ✅ Wise Business account active
3. ✅ Professional email + WhatsApp/phone line
4. ✅ List of 10–20 potential carriers to approach
5. ✅ Basic knowledge of truck types & rates

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