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Although it’s important to be pleasant and accommodating with customers, you can’t always give them exactly what they want if it comes at your expense, says Dr. Julia M. Rahn, founder of Flourish Studios. You still need to turn a profit and pay your bills. Your job is to meet the real needs of your customers as well as those of your own business. Consider these three tips for better customer service:

1. Know your ideal customers. By knowing which customers your business needs most and serves best, you can more effectively promote your products or services. Make time to meet the people who fit your ideal customer base.
   
   
2. Promise only what you can deliver. Knowing what you can and cannot offer will help everybody in the end. If you run a construction business, for example, customers want to know the exact parameters of what they are contracting for and when the job will be completed. If you are unable to meet the needs of a potential customer, state this ahead of time.
   
   
3. Follow through. When it comes to offering proof of your high customer service standards, keeping your word is what truly matters. Any stated promise, no matter how small, must be followed through on. If you said you would get information, a proposal, or contract out to a customer, don’t delay.