Truck drivers, as implied, earn a living by driving a variety of large vehicles (typically a large truck) in order to transport goods to and from different locations, such as manufacturing plants, retail stores and distribution centers. While they’re responsible for a number of delivery related duties, they also handle the maintenance and care of their vehicle, along with a number of other assorted tasks.
In recent times, truck drivers have become increasingly responsible for building and maintaining their professional network. Networking, in the context of business, involves connecting with like-minded professionals in order to foster stronger connections for business related purposes. While networking was always a big part of the truck driving industry, recent technological advances have made it easier for truck drivers to build stronger professional networks.
But how can a truck driver in recent times build a professional network? The simplest way to get started involves, believe it or not, social media. So in this article, we’re going to review why truck drivers should expand their professional network and how they can do that with social media.
Why Networking is Important to Truck Drivers
As mentioned, networking involves connecting with like-minded professionals in order to foster stronger connections for business related purposes. In any industry, networking is perhaps the most common way people foster connections with each other—and for good reason.
Networking accomplishes several things for business-minded people. It helps them get new business through the people that they’ve gained through their networking. It also helps them find new business or job opportunities that they wouldn’t have found without networking with certain people. Networking also helps people build important relationships with people who can help them out in ways that they wouldn’t have expected.
Truck drivers who network essentially reinforce their already existing network of potentially like-minded truck drivers. They’re building upon previously established connections by adding more important people to their network, opening up more opportunities to themselves and to the people in their network. That way, everyone benefits from fostering an important business connection within their industry.
Nowadays, networking is even more important in the trucking industry. The prevalence of newer technology has made it easier for people to communicate, but it’s still rather tricky to foster meaningful connections with other individuals. But social media seems to be filling the gaps that the trucking industry needs filled.
Using Social Media to Network in the Trucking Industry
Social media is everywhere, especially since it allows people to connect in new ways. People use social media to keep track of friends and family, meet new people and stay connected with the rest of the world. But what a lot of people miss is that social media platforms are the new way that the professional world stays connected.
To the business world, social media is crucial and essential for generating leads, building business-customer relationships and job recruitment. In the trucking industry, it’s much of the same.
Much like other industries, the trucking industry uses social media for various purposes. The most common use of social media is for recruitment, especially on networks like LinkedIn, where various professional truck drivers communicate on a day to day basis.
The trucking industry also uses social media as a way to communicate with potential customers, particularly during seasons where their services may be needed for transporting goods and other cargo. Truckers can also utilize social media to find job opportunities that they otherwise wouldn’t have found without using social media. Not only that, truck drivers use social media to stay in touch with each other, whether it’s just idle chat or important information concerning their jobs.
The Most Important Social Networks for Truck Drivers
Social media, as mentioned, is important to the trucking industry. But what are the most popular social media platforms among the trucking industry? Well, let’s take a look.
LinkedIn. LinkedIn is arguably the best place to recruit drivers for various trucking job opportunities. In fact, it’s the best place for business recruiting, period. Various professionals in the trucking industry, among others, use LinkedIn as a way to network with prospects to strengthen their personal networks and award jobs.
Facebook. Naturally, Facebook is essential for on the job connections among truckers in a network. While it’s not the most professional setting, it’s the perfect setting for firm members to post updates and get information from bosses while on the job.
Twitter. Twitter is an excellent platform for issuing short and to the point messages when out on the job. Drivers also use Twitter as a means of idle communication when out on break.
YouTube. Video advertising works very well for the trucking industry, so it’s only natural that many trucking firms upload ads and other interesting video content for prospects to view.
Geoff is a freelance writer at TruckersTraining.com with 20+ years of experience driving trucks and buses, dispatching, supervising, and training commercial driving teams. His expertise is writing topics on the transportation and trucking industry, and information technology trends.