Writing a book is difficult. Sharing it with the world, however, may be the most challenging part of all. With so many amazing books in the world, it can be oh-so-difficult to get the attention of potential readers. Events like book signings are certainly helpful, but they can be a bit hit or miss. That was certainly the case for an author named Jonathan Stanley. During his book signing at a Barnes & Noble, it seems he was largely alone.
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This is something a customer, Taylor Mae, noticed. Seeing people pass by Jonathan without a single word broke her heart. So, she chatted with him. Plus, she shared a video of him online, hoping it could garner him some attention… and it did! More attention than she could have ever imagined, even. Check out the video for yourself below!
@taymaed ♬ sonido original – PMusik21
In less than 24 hours, Jonathan says he went from having a single follower to over 208,000. But that’s far from the best part. His book made it to the top of the Amazon bestseller list in multiple categories! His book, Purposeful Performance: The Secret Mix of Connecting, Leading, and Succeeding, is all about bringing humanity back into the workplace. Fittingly, his viral moment has shown him the very best humanity has to offer.
“He had no idea that the day he felt the most unseen would be the day that millions paid attention and supported him,” someone in the comments shares. “I like humans a lot sometimes.”
This Author’s Book Signing Takes a Life-Changing Turn Thanks to a Single Viral Video
Before Jonathan knew it, his book completely sold out on Amazon (though it is back now). Needless to say, he’s amazed at the ongoing support and love from people all around the world. He even made a video thanking everyone!
@purposefulperformance Yesterday, my life changed. After my book signing at Barnes & Noble, something unexpected happened. A single TikTok video went viral—30 million views and over 4.1 million likes, and my account grew from 1 follower to over 208,000 in less than 24 hours. My first video has already passed 1 million views. And then the unthinkable: My book soared to the top of the Amazon bestseller lists in multiple categories. But it wasn’t the numbers that moved me to tears yesterday. It was you. I’ve received thousands of messages—so many I can’t keep up. Words of encouragement. Stories of hope. Notes from people who said the book changed their perspective… helped them become better leaders… and reminded them of the importance of bringing humanity back into the workplace. When I wrote this book, I had a straightforward hope: That it would help just one person. That someone, somewhere, might read it and realize they’re not alone. That caring, compassionate leadership isn’t soft—it’s powerful. As leaders, our responsibility isn’t just managing outcomes; it's uplifting those who make those outcomes possible. I never imagined this kind of response. And in a world that can often feel lonely, especially as a first-time author… You made me feel seen. You changed my life. And I’ll never forget it. To everyone who has read the book, left a comment, shared a kind word, or reached out with a story— Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am humbled. I am overwhelmed. I am so incredibly grateful. 💛 #thankyou #gratitude #purposefulperformance #viralvideo #humanatwork #tiktokcommunity ♬ original sound – Jonathan Stanley
“I never imagined this kind of response. And in a world that can often feel lonely, especially as a first-time author… You made me feel seen. You changed my life. And I’ll never forget it,” Jonathan writes. “To everyone who has read the book, left a comment, shared a kind word, or reached out with a story — Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am humbled … overwhelmed … [and] am so incredibly grateful.”
Want a copy of Jonathan’s book? You can find it on both Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here!
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