The older I get, the more willing I am to pay for good customer service. I frequent shops and restaurants that build relationships with me. I recommend car sales people who remember my name and go the extra mile. We're getting ready to buy a boat, and when comparing apples to apples, we chose the dealer who went the extra (nautical) mile.

As technical writers, I challenge you to look at your customer service skills. I work in a 60+ person IT department. Most of the work that our technical writers do is for ITS folks. We do some work for the other departments and our external customers. Whether your deliverables are for your coworkers or outside clients, you should be providing the same level of customer service and support.

1. Return all phone calls/emails promptly.
2. When working on an extended project, make sure to provide updates to the SME or project manager frequently.
3. Follow the chain of command. If there is one spokesperson for the project, make sure that you communicate through him/her. Nobody likes a renegade who bucks the system.
4. Build a reputation as the dependable resource. (Make sure they can't live without you.)
5. Be the center of excellence for writing, proofreading, and document formatting in your department.
6. Be a team player.
7. Make sure that you keep your ego (and attitude) in check. (Will firing off that email to the chain of command prove that you are right, or will others think you're difficult to work with?)

Make sure that you're the total package!