As in our new drivers guide to CitizenShipper, at the end of each lesson, we present the drivers with some Pro Tips that can help them win their shipments with more ease or simply suggest steps that will help them in regards to their profile settings, verifications and best practices. 

• Pro Tip #1: How to find active customers
• Pro Tip #2: Use weight filters in search tool
• Pro Tip #3: How to verify your insurance
• Pro Tip #4: How to talk to customers
• Pro Tip #5: Inspect, inspect, inspect!
• Pro Tip #6: How to register a business
• Pro Tip #7: Expert testimonials

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Pro Tip #1: How to find active customers

Each shipment listing comes with 3 important pieces of information that are relevant for your bidding decision:

1. Preferred shipping date (OCT 2 in the example below)
2. How long ago the customer posted the listing (3h ago in the example below)
3. When was the customer last seen on the website (23m ago in the example below)

To recognize and filter the ones looking for a quote from the ones looking to book someone, keep track of when the customer was last seen on the site and make sure that this was AFTER they posted the shipment (meaning that "seen X time ago" is closer to real-time then "posted").

Pro Tip #2: Use weight filters in search tool

The shipment search tool which is available at your recommended shipments page allows you to search and filter shipments based on their weight. This is critical for boat carriers due to your vehicle towing capacity, federal and state regulations. To use the weight filter, simply navigate to the shipment search tool, and specify the maximum weight that you can haul according to the previously mentioned factors:

Important!!! The weight on most listings on our website refers to the dry boat weight, and therefore before you start placing bids, send a message to your prospect customer to learn more about the weight of all the added equipment/cargo that will be towed as well (engines, amount of fuel, trailer weight if supplied). As an example, a recent listing on CitizenShipper advertised as a 3,200 lb boat, turned out to be a 6,500 lb total gross weight cargo with all the associated equipment and trailer included.

Pro Tip #3: How to verify your insurance

Driver profile can support up to 3 verification badges - for background, USDA and insurance verifications. In just a few minutes, you can enhance your driver profile with a badge that identifies you as a transporter with insurance that financially protects your customers’ shipments – immediately making your competitive edge visible to potential customers. What kind of competitive edge? 

While we don’t have specific data because this is a new process, background-verified drivers win up to 84% more shipments and pet transporters with USDA verification are chosen 42% more often than those without it. So, verification badges work. 

Therefore, if you happen to have commercial vehicle liability or cargo liability insurance, visit this article and learn more how you may submit your policy for verification. Before you submit your policy, a quick heads up:

CITIZENSHIPPER INSURANCE VERIFICATION IS NOT A PERSONAL VEHICLE INSURANCE VERIFICATION PROCESS. IT ONLY APPLIES TO COMMERCIAL VEHICLE LIABILITY AND CARGO + PET INSURANCE POLICIES OR BUSINESS/ANIMAL BAILEE INSURANCE BY A PROVIDER IN THE PET INSURANCE INDUSTRY. 

Pro Tip #4: How to talk to customers

When it comes to factors that influence customer's decision on their preferred carrier, communication plays the most important role on CitizenShipper. In that regards, the most important tip on how to talk to them is to be genuine and relatable when sending your introduction message. Let's practice this using the example below:

The most common intro drivers would send to this customer would look like this:

"Hey there Marisa, I am John Doe and I would love to transport your boat, let me know if we can work something out."

However, what we advise you to do in order to stand out from the crowd is to consider sending something like this:

"Hey Marisa, now that’s a beautiful jetski right there, nothing beats a WaveRunner! I hope I can help you cruise with it this very weekend. Since you mentioned that the pickup is a residential address, I wanted to ask if you’re buying a new jetski or simply relocating your own? The reason why I ask is because I do very thorough inspection at pickup, so I just wanted to get some insights into who will I be meeting with when I arrive to Bristol? I could be there a day before even if that makes any difference for you?"

Some customers might not reply immediately, so we also encourage you to send a follow up, again, the more relatable to their boat, the better!

" Additionally, since you are also providing a trailer, I want to check if it has a recent annual inspection performed as well as if the electrical wiring for it has 5 or 7 pin connector? Finally, since I never allow for damages to happen on my transports, let me know if this is potentially a VX Deluxe or Cruiser, as I know those need to be secured only though bow eyes and stern eyes with shift lever not positioned in reverse gear."

The main difference between these two is that the 1st introduction is generic, while the second one is completely tailored to the type of boat, the equipment used and securement options, and most importantly IT ENDS WITH A QUESTION - which is the best way to get a response. Therefore, before you send your introduction, do a bit of research on the vessel and try to mention a couple of its main characteristics to get the customer's attention and stand out from the crowd! Most of the boats you will look to transport have a user manual available online, so with a bit of reading you could get the information allowing you to create a standout introduction and follow up.

Pro Tip #5: Inspect, inspect, inspect!

By following the steps in this guide, you will very likely be chosen by one of the customers for their upcoming transport. The key element of ensuring that every shipment is completed to the utmost customer satisfaction is to minimize the risk of damages or breakdowns during the travel, as well as subsequent damage claims.

Therefore, before you leave on any trip, inspect your vehicle, check your fluid levels, air pressure if you are equipped with air breaks or any leaks if they're hydraulic, and also do scheduled vehicle maintenance to avoid issues relating to any unexpected repairs on the road - this will not just save you money, but also prevent any unexpected stops and delays. The same procedure applies for a trailer if you are using your own. Below are some of the guidelines on all the things you may look into before you set of on your next pick up:

Most boat owners however have their own trailer, therefore before leaving the pick up location, make sure to inspect the trailer, check the tire thread depth, tire pressure, lights, winch straps, safety chain, look for any hub leaks and any damages to it and record them (you can have an inspection sheet template, and you are also advised to take photos of any damages as well). Each trailer should also be registered and have a valid annual inspection, both of which should be requested from the owner.

Finally, the boat itself should be thoroughly inspected as well. As per our first chapter on preparation, customers are usually the ones that will load the vessel and secure additional equipment, so make sure to verify if their part of the job was done properly. Also, if there's any evident body damage on the boat, make sure to record this on your inspection sheet and via photos.

Once all inspections are done, a good rule of the thumb is to have a customer sign a document/Bill of Lading/inspection sheet and confirm the findings you made, and that way you will avoid any issues on the delivery, especially in situations when you are transferring a boat to its new owner.

Pro Tip #6: How to register a business

At CitizenShipper we’re always making an effort to improve the user experience for our driver community. With our new partnership with the world’s leading business formation platform, Swyft Filings, you now can quickly and affordably incorporate your business!

Incorporation offers several advantages over informal business structures. A few of the most important benefits include tax flexibility, limited personal liability and greater credibility in the eyes of potential customers. 

Our partnership makes it easy and affordable to incorporate your business and improve your bottom line. Swyft Filings will prepare and file all the required documents for incorporation — the entire process can take you as little as 10 minutes! Click here to start!

Pro Tip #7: Expert testimonials

Before you start making money as a boat transporter, it’s wise to hear from the professionals. Here’s what the most experienced boat transporters have to say:

“Ask your transporter how they protect the boat from damage or theft while stopped at night and inquire about equipment.”

“We have trailers that get the keel just six inches off the ground, trimming just an inch or two of height might easily save $1,000 in route surveys, permits, escorts, and extra miles. Hydraulic trailers can launch a boat, saving hundreds of miles just to reach a travel lift.”

“Shrink-wrapping is good if it’s done right, but ripped shrink-wrap flapping down the highway at 65 mph will do more harm than good”

“You really have to weigh out the cost of a delivery crew and fuel versus trucking, a boat exceeding 16 feet wide or 15 feet high, depending upon the state, adds dollars fast. Boats might be shortened by removing a radar arch, hardtop or even flying bridge.”

“The big deal is liability. Get in a small fender bender or worse – you are screwed. If you get busted for a wide load they will pull you over and not let you move until you get a permit, generally requiring 24-48 hours to get a permit.”

In case you would like to see additional tips, please comment below! For additional resources and helpful articles, you may move on to the next and final chapter of our guide!

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