Yes, the sun is still shining and swimming season is in full swing. But…the cold fall and winter months will sneak up on you, so now is the right time to start making arrangements for winterizing your pool

That’s the speech you should start giving your clients. As the end of summer rolls closer into view, pool cleaners should begin talking to their clients about the importance of winterizing their pools. Next time you arrive for a scheduled pool cleaning, take a few moments to discuss the winterization process with your clients.

Encourage your clients to make an appointment now. Let them know that your schedule fills up fast as people begin to close their pools down for the winter. They should lock in their appointment early because if they wait too long, inclement weather could damage their pool.

Winterizing a pool requires more than just a thorough cleaning. Certain supplies and accessories are an absolute necessity. Rather than shipping your clients off to the pool supply store with a shopping list, you can sell them the products yourself.

The number one most important accessory is, of course, a sturdy pool cover. The average person isn't going to know a lot about pool covers and which kinds serve what purpose. It's your job as a pool cleaner to educate yourself on the top products on the market.

Your clients will be looking to you for advice and recommendations. Know your stuff, and you can develop a new stream of income. Your clients will appreciate it, too. Most of them have no desire to go pool cover shopping themselves.

Closing a pool down for the winter also requires a winter pool chemical kit. Depending on the pool, you might also need an air pillow to prevent freezing water from damaging the sides of the pool. These are all supplies you can sell directly to the customers, which is a big convenience for them.

Another reason for you to start thinking about your fall and winter appointments is the possibility of picking up the supplies and accessories wholesale. You still have plenty of time to network with pool supply sellers to get bulk or wholesale discounts. The better deal you get on the supplies, the better the profits when you sell them to your clients. You can always pass on some of the savings to your customers as well. They'll love you even more if you're getting them a good deal!

But what if your clients aren't quite ready to put up their swimming trunks and bikinis? You can help them out there, too. Talk to your clients about solar pool covers that keep the water warm and lengthen the swimming season. Another possibility is a water heater. An added bonus for you is that you get to make some extra money by installing the heater.

Quick tip: You can even offer to "tidy up" for your clients as part of the winterizing package. Make it an optional upgrade. Things like ladders, pool toys and skimmer baskets need to be removed and stored in a safe place. You can charge a fee for this added service, and the customer is happy because they'll have zero work to do.