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Read more about the article CPO Class School Supplies

CPO Class School Supplies

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:January 5, 2024
  • Post category:Pool News

For the Certified Pool Operator (CPO) class, you'll want to ensure you have the necessary materials to effectively navigate and utilize your resources in the class and during the test.…

Continue ReadingCPO Class School Supplies
Read more about the article Wilfred Langelier’s formula

Wilfred Langelier’s formula

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:April 22, 2023
  • Post category:Pool News/Education

Wilfred Langelier's formula for predicting calcium carbonate precipitation potential (CCPP) is a widely-used method for assessing the scaling potential of water. Langelier's formula, also known as pHs, measures the tendency…

Continue ReadingWilfred Langelier’s formula
Read more about the article Florida Pool Chlorine level & pH Change

Florida Pool Chlorine level & pH Change

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:December 15, 2022
  • Post category:Pool News

The State of Florida Bureau of Environmental Health (Tallahassee headquartered) wants to significantly change your swimming pool water test. In a proposed rule that is expected to pass and take…

Continue ReadingFlorida Pool Chlorine level & pH Change
Read more about the article How enzymes work

How enzymes work

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:November 14, 2021
  • Post category:Chemicals/Pool News

If you've been following along, I'm sure you've noticed that I've been spending a lot of time talking about specialty chemicals lately. That's because the availability of the critical disinfectants…

Continue ReadingHow enzymes work
Read more about the article Can your customer require proof of Vaccine?
Coronavirus vaccination record card. Protective mask divided into two parts.Concept of defeating Covid-19. High quality photo

Can your customer require proof of Vaccine?

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:July 22, 2021
  • Post category:Pool News

This came up the other day because a peer was asked, so I thought I would snoop around. As we go through this, I am not a HIPAA Lawyer; I…

Continue ReadingCan your customer require proof of Vaccine?
Read more about the article BIG POOLS IMMUNE TO CHLORINE CRISIS

BIG POOLS IMMUNE TO CHLORINE CRISIS

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:May 28, 2021
  • Post category:Pool News/Pool Operator Talk News

Memorial Day weekend is here, and many pool owners continue to investigate alternative means of disinfecting water in hopes of salvaging what could have been the swimming pool season that…

Continue ReadingBIG POOLS IMMUNE TO CHLORINE CRISIS
Read more about the article CMAHC’s Dewey Case Discusses Importance of Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act

CMAHC’s Dewey Case Discusses Importance of Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:February 27, 2021
  • Post category:Pool Safety

Pool Pro Podcast and Ask the Masters' Podcast Spotlight Critical Requirements and Expiration Dates for Pool Service Professionals and Builders RALEIGH, N.C. – Dewey Case, technical director for the Council…

Continue ReadingCMAHC’s Dewey Case Discusses Importance of Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act
Read more about the article Public Pool Code Inspections

Public Pool Code Inspections

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:February 19, 2021
  • Post category:Pool News

[responsivevoice_button voice="UK English Male" buttontext="Listen to Post"] Health Department Public Pool Code Inspections. If you have a pool at a property that you maintain I am certain you have realized…

Continue ReadingPublic Pool Code Inspections
Read more about the article How to Get Rid of Swimming Pool Algae

How to Get Rid of Swimming Pool Algae

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:February 12, 2021
  • Post category:Pool News/Author Rudy Stankowitz

On the Verge of a More Active Algae Season than Ever Before Due to a Nation Wide Chlorine Shortage - There Are Steps That You Can Take to Prevent a…

Continue ReadingHow to Get Rid of Swimming Pool Algae
Read more about the article 2021 U.S. Chlorine Shortage

2021 U.S. Chlorine Shortage

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:February 9, 2021
  • Post category:Pool News

Chlorine Shortage Expected to Plague Nation into 2022 A follow up to our September 2020 article Biolab Fire Expected to Cause Pool Chlorine Price Increase U.S. Chlorine Shortage What Caused…

Continue Reading2021 U.S. Chlorine Shortage
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Read Rudy's Column in AQUA Magazine
Talking Pools Podcast
Talking Pools Podcast

If you’ve ever stared at a test kit like it personally insulted your family… welcome home.

Talking Pools Podcast is the pool industry’s “pull up a chair” show—part shop talk, part field manual, part therapy session—built for people who actually live on pool decks: commercial operators, service techs, builders, facility managers, and anyone responsible for water that can’t afford to go sideways. The network was created to level up the pool industry with real-world conversations on water chemistry, filtration, troubleshooting, construction, safety, and the business side of keeping pools open and budgets intact. 

Here’s the hook: it’s not theory-first. It’s experience-first—a roster of seasoned pros (with 250+ years of combined “been there, fixed that” wisdom) turning complicated problems into practical moves you can use the same day.  And it’s not one voice, one vibe, one corner of the industry: it’s a network of shows designed to reflect how diverse this work really is—different regions, different specialties, different personalities. 

Also worth saying out loud: women aren’t “special guests” here—they’re on the mic as hosts, from the beginning, with an intentionally balanced roster.  That matters, because the best ideas in this industry don’t come from one lane—they come from the whole road.

If you want a podcast that can make you laugh and make you better at what you do—without pretending the job is easier than it is—Talking Pools is the one you queue up before the first stop, and keep on when the day starts getting weird. 

If You’re the Local Expert, Stop Charging Like the Local Idiot
byRudy Stankowitz

Ask a question here

WARNING:Intentionally Abrasive Language – Every service business wants to be the company everyone recommends—the local expert called after three other contractors have replaced the wrong parts, collected their checks, and left the customer with the same damn problem.

But authority doesn’t come from putting “premier,” “elite,” or “superior” on the side of a truck. It comes from becoming exceptionally good at solving difficult problems, teaching people what you know, documenting your results, and earning a reputation that reaches the customer before you do.

In this episode, Rudy explains how pool professionals and other service-business owners can become the recognized expert in their county—and why anyone who earns that position should charge at least 10% more than the interchangeable competition.

In This Episode

  • Why calling yourself an expert doesn’t make you one
  • How to attach your name to a specific, difficult problem
  • Why teaching customers increases your value
  • The difference between generic content and useful local expertise
  • How informed opinions make professionals memorable
  • Turning difficult jobs into compelling case studies
  • Why detailed testimonials beat meaningless five-star reviews
  • Building referral relationships with inspectors, agents, managers, and tradespeople
  • Becoming the person local media calls for an explanation
  • Using Google reviews to demonstrate authority
  • Why experienced professionals should charge more
  • How to state your price without apologizing or negotiating against yourself
  • Why premium pricing requires premium communication and reliability
  • The importance of continuing to learn after becoming the recognized expert

The Bottom Line

Advertising tells people you exist. Expertise convinces them you understand the problem. Reputation makes them trust you to solve it.

Own a difficult problem. Teach what you know. Develop an informed point of view. Document your results. Answer the phone. Show up when promised. Fix the problem correctly.

Eventually, your name becomes shorthand for the solution—and when that happens, charge like you fucking mean it.

The cheapest contractor charges for the visit. The expert charges for the answer.

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Connect With Talking Pools

Follow the Talking Pools Podcast for blunt industry commentary, technical education, business advice, and the occasional uncomfortable truth every pool professional needs to hear.

Support the show

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Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

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  • CPO Class Schedule
    • CPO Class Schedule
    • CPO Practice Test
    • U.S. Public Swimming Pool Codes👮
      • Florida’s CPO Certification Requirement for Public Pool Service Technicians
      • Georgia CPO Certification requirement
      • Louisiana CPO Certification Requirement
    • Test Kit Store
    • Pool Merchandise
  • Online Pool Pro Classes
  • AFT&C news🗞️
  • Talking Pools Podcast🎧
  • Keynote & Professional
    • Rudy’s AQUA Column
    • Swimming Pool EXPO Speaker
    • Expert Witness
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  • Rudy’s Algae Book
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