13,000 Thank You's...The Ultimate Silhouette Guide 1st Anniversary

I will never forget March 13, 2015.  A year ago today everything changed for me and my blog, Silhouette School. I was

no longer soley a blogger, I was now a self-published author and and a small business owner.

I remember a few days prior to Release Day I was talking with my husband.  We thought we'd be thrilled if 800 people bought The Ultimate Silhouette Guide.  I thought, "Wow, what if that many people actually cared enough about what I had to say - about a craft machine, no less - that they actually spent their hard-earned for the information I was sharing." 

So as I sat on my couch, exactly a year ago today around 2:20 in the afternoon, with a GIANT knot in my stomach, a lump in my throat and palms so sweaty I could barely press 'Publish', I had no idea how much was about to change.  Life, blogging, business, opportunities...

Within seconds...literally seconds... I was brought to tears.  My email went 'ding' and I was notified of my first sale.  I can't remember the name of the first lady who bought my first ebook, but my gosh at that second I wanted to reach through the computer and give her a HUGE hug. She believed in me and the feeling was like nothing I'd ever felt.  

I had literally spent months - endured shingles, a wrist injury, publishing delays, the regular grinds of motherhood, and the stress of being a full time blogger and small business owner - writing this book. It really did feel like I birthed my third baby. 


In that moment, I could barely control the tears as I watched order after order come in - so much so that I had to turn off email notifications.  This was only the pre-order period, after all.  Yes, I sold an ebook on pre-order as crazy as it sounds. Why? I did it because you all asked me to do it. I honestly didn't understand, and I still really don't, why anyone would want to pre-order an ebook where the stock would never run out. But I did it and the response was truly overwhelming. 
During the next three day period more than 625 digital copies of The Ultimate Silhouette Guide were pre-ordered.

Three days later when I fully launched my first ebook - things went to a whole new level and I've never looked back.  When people make these types of comments about something you've put your blood, sweat and tears into it makes it all worth it. 

"Thank you so much for all your hard work. Silhouette School is awesome and so is the book. Silhouette ought to buy your book and include it with every Silhouette Cameo!!!!" - Rita 

"It is so easy to understand when reading it. You have changed the crafter's world of Silhouette cutting with this book. Thank you." - Angie

 

"...BUY the EBOOK best $27.99 you will spend. I wasted more money in material messing things up before The Silhouette School became my BFF." - Michele

"I just bought this book this morning and I thought I was pretty good at my machine. Oh my....I've already learned even more. You can not go wrong! Buy this book. I can't believe everything you have put in this book!" - Kim 

"Melissa, you are a godsend! Finally everything is in one place, easy to find and easy to understand instead of on a gazillion notes scattered around my craft room. I know I'll be using my Sil a lot more now. Thank you so much!" 

"I bought this last night. I've had my Cameo for over 3 years & actually learned stuff I never knew! Highly recommend this book! Great for reference, even if you've had your machine for

years!" - Laurie

"The book is so full of useful information, written by someone who understands the issues we have been or are having, easy to follow and understand. Real value for money which we'll soon get back in terms of now being able to get the most from our machines. Thank you" - Angie

I'm happy, proud, thrilled, and humbled to say The Ultimate Silhouette Guide is now available in both ebook and paperback version - as well as being bundled with Silhouette CAMEO and Portrait machines and also available at a discounted rate when purchased with my The Ultimate Silhouette Sticker Guide! When they say a girl can dream, I never knew they meant like this.

The response to my first book, was - and continues to be - such that I have gone on to write three more books.  None were like my first - sure they were all shorter (two are mini getting started guides written for total beginners), but by the time I got to #2, #3, and #4 I had worked through the biggest hurdles of being a self-published author and kind of knew the territory and what to expect. Still there were challenges with each, but with each I learned more and more about writing, publishing, print on demand, working with printers, cover creation, marketing, time management...I could go on.

A year ago today I would NEVER have dreamed I would be invited to speak at conferences across the country, including the All Things Silhouette Conferences.  I would never have dreamed my first book would have sold more than 13,000 copies in a year.  I've also never felt such a deep sense of support and gratitude from so many people I've never met - you - my loyal Silhouette School readers and for that I thank you! 

And just so you know this train isn't slowing down...in fact 2016 is off to a really exciting start! Two more mini guides in The Ultimate Silhouette Guide series are about to be released - details on them as soon as I can share them, an update on the original ebook will be coming just as soon as Silhouette America releases Cloud, and I have started working on two more longer format books.  I'll be speaking at the All Things Silhouette Conference outside Atlanta again in November and Silhouette School Live Tutoring is off to a hugely successful start.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund Silhouette School so I can keep buying new Silhouette-related products to show you how to get the most out of your machine!

Thanks for coming to class today at Silhouette School.  If you like what you see, I'd love for you to pin it!

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