Recently a consultant friend told me how he doubled his income in a single month. "I take calls at night," he said.

My friend likes to start work in the evening and keep the fires burning all night. That was one of the reasons he chose to work in his own home-based business. Studies show there are a great many of us who would prefer to work late hours. Internet use is still reaching a peak after 10 p.m.

This consultant found, quite by accident, that a lot of customers like to work at night. Clients were delighted when they learned they could call in the evening and get service just as if it were the middle of the day.

If you work alone and prefer to do your job at night, turn it into a marketing strategy. Let customers know you are available after hours. Many work jobs during the day and pursue their special interests and projects at night.

Being available late saves customers from having to use a lunch break or sneak away from work to get help or place an order. This reason alone could easily be enough to get you the sale.