Whether you know it or not, Texas is one of the most important states in the union. If trucking is the backbone of America, then Texas is the backbone of trucking. Don’t believe me? Here are a few stats you should see.
For recruiters in Texas, these statistics can be problematic. The driver shortage is taking its toll and competition is getting fierce. More and more trucks are sitting idle in your terminals because you can’t find the local drivers your fleet needs to keep freight moving.
Now you’re left with one question: “What can I do to generate quality driver applications in Texas?”
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Of the many channels you are utilizing to accomplish your recruiting goals, print and signage aren’t the most high tech. Actually, they’re the same channels that your father or grandfather would have used. But that doesn’t mean they’re worthless.
Marketers will tell you that the first step to targeting very specific, highly qualified drivers is to find out more about them. Who are they? What do they do? What are they interested in? Where do they spend their time?
Fortunately, you already know a lot about truck drivers. This will help you target drivers who are specifically working in Texas.
You may not know that the average trucker spend an estimated 185 hours a month in truck stops. It’s also estimated that around 1600 active drivers enter truck stops on a daily basis.
Regional print and signage networks give you an opportunity to raise awareness about your hiring needs among the drivers in Texas. Here is a quick breakdown for how they can help you:
Signage placed in truck stops are noticeable and eye-catching. It can help keep your brand and benefits top-of-mind as drivers carry their load through Texas.
Print is a valuable source of information for all types of drivers. By using niche-driver brands and truck stop distribution, you can keep your print ads targeted to Texas and the southwest.
If you want to read more about building a strong truck stop strategy, here’s the perfect article for you.
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We talk a lot about incorporating digital into your driver recruiting campaigns. And with good reason. Digital advertising is one of the best ways to guarantee that your ads are getting in front of very specific drivers.
One of the biggest opportunities available to fleets are tagged audiences. As drivers visit websites, they can be tagged by a cookie. This tag will allow you to get in front of very specific drivers when you’re building online ads ads. Thanks to Randall-Reilly’s various media properties, we can use our large audience of owner-operators and company drivers to help you target your ads.
Display your ads to drivers closest to your terminals.
Layering additional targeting options on top of your tagged audience can help you narrow down these drivers to specific geographic areas. You can do this on many sites, including Facebook, Google, and YouTube. This will allow you to serve ads specifically to drivers in Texas.
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“Events” is a broad category. They range from big trade shows to intimate, networking events like the CCJ Fall Symposium. But for driver recruiters who need to accomplish measurable hiring goals in Texas, shows like the Great American Trucking Show are a big opportunity.
Let’s think about it like this:
Drivers have a lonely, isolated career. They spend hours sitting in the cab of a truck with limited creature comforts. Some can even go weeks or months without seeing their families and friends. Large trade shows can offer drivers opportunities to learn about the future of the trucking industry and catch up with old friends.
While many of these shows pull people from across the country, they have a decidedly local population too. Here are a few statistics from GATS that can help you understand:
Blog: 5 Ideas for Recruiting Drivers Through Events
Trade shows provide you with something that you can’t get anywhere else: face time with drivers who are looking for new, local positions. You get to have real conversations with real drivers. You’re not just a big fleet that might can offer a little more money or a sign on bonus.
The driver shortage is putting you under a lot of pressure. Compounding the shortage is the need to generate geographically specific driver applications. But that doesn’t have to be a barrier for your fleet’s growth.
