It’s nice to know I could help someone so much:

Hi Chris We’ve never met, but I’ve just been inspired to drop you a line. I’ve been sorting out my bookshelf this weekend and I came across a copy of “Poor Richard’s Email Publishing”, annotated with so many post-its that it’s almost twice the thickness. It brought back memories!

In 1999 I was a trade/B2B magazine editor here in the UK, becoming increasingly irritated with the fact that when it came to the internet, my colleagues just didn’t “get it”. On holiday in North America with my wife, I came across your book in a bookstore and thought it seemed vaguely interesting. It proved to be more than that. Over the next two or three days, I formulated a whole business plan in my head, based on the ideas the book gave me (fortunately, we had a couple of long coach journeys). It was totally inspirational.

Fast-forward to 2006 and the company I started from my bedroom, based on the ideas of email replacing print in the trade press, was sold for enough money to ensure I’ll be comfortable for the rest of my life. Sure, I did all the hard work and all that. But it was the chance find of your book which sparked everything off, and for that, I’d like to offer you my most sincere thanks. On behalf of my wife and young son, not to mention everyone else in the company who did well out of the sale: THANK YOU!

I’m thrilled and depressed at the same time.