Personal Branding Workshop w/ Adobe
- Helena Malcom
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Today, the AMA was joined by Taylor Falls, a program manager of the exclusive experience team comprised of over 30,000 employees at Adobe. She led the AMA in a workshop regarding the creation of a personal brand statement, crucial in defining one’s niche and creating differentiation from others with similar backgrounds. Falls shared a definition for personal brand statements she pulled from Google, as “the unique perception and reputation an individual cultivates, encompassing their skills, values, and the impression they make on others”.
About Taylor Falls
Taylor Falls was born in 2001 and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. She graduated in 2023 from the University of Alabama with a dual degree in marketing and management. During her time in college, she began working with professional development for students on campus, where she helped students find opportunities such as internships or jobs. After college, she got an internship at Adobe, where she transitioned into the full-time position that she holds now. As the program manager, she makes programs and leads employee networks.
The Workshop: Creating Your Own Personal Brand Statement
Falls began with an activity in which the AMA pointed out specific associations we hold with four different brands. From this, we learned that brands hold powerful perceptions that give those around them an image of who they are.
Falls shared the three crucial steps in creating a personal brand statement:
Self-awareness: Ask yourself, who are you? What are you naturally good at? What do people come to you for?
Positioning: What do you want people to know about you?
The circle of strengths includes the three things an individual should express in their brand statement: strength, value, and passion.
A combination of all these things determines “what sticks with people after you leave” (Falls).
In order to determine these things, you must consider “what you light up talking about” and “what value you bring to people” (Falls).
Visibility: How do you show up consistently?
Being intentional about where and with whom you show up is crucial in being seen authentically and strategically.
She then shared four places to build your visibility in order to advertise your personal brand statement, noting that using these strategies individually will be significantly less effective than using a combination of them all.
Internships: Engagement, such as volunteering to present and networking.
Networking Events/Conferences: Simply showing up, talking, listening, and asking follow-up questions.
Social Media: Positioning yourself in a way where you’re seen by other people on apps such as TikTok, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Clubs/Classes: Sitting in the front of the class, engaging with your professor, and actively sharing your perspective with peers.
After this, the AMA created and shared their own personal brand statements with their new tips and tricks.
The 6 Common Personal Brand Mistakes
Falls transitioned the workshop toward the six most common mistakes people make when attempting to create their own personal brand statement.
Trying to be like everyone else: “Be rooted in your authenticity” (Falls).
Waiting until you’re “qualified enough to start”.
Oversharing with no direction: Be clear on your brand’s personal niche
Confusing personal brand with perfection: “If you’re authentic, you’re not perfect” (Falls)
Ignoring your offline brand: It’s not just an online brand; you must remember to connect with people in person.
Inconsistency: Continue to show up and remain determined.
Benefits of a Strong Personal Brand
Although it may be difficult to find your personal brand, it holds many worthwhile benefits. Falls shared that these benefits can include networking, creating strong communities, being known before walking into a room, getting hired in more competitive jobs, and extra event opportunities you may have never once considered. She remarked that gathering engagement using her personal brand statement has created opportunities that led her to where she is now, and recommends that everyone create and advertise their own image.
Conclusion
Falls concluded her workshop with her biggest takeaways regarding the importance of authenticity and sharing your story.
“No one can tell a story better than you can tell it, but you have to step out of your comfort zone and put yourself out there!”
Thank you so much to Taylor Falls for visiting the AMA and sharing your knowledgeable insight on creating our own personal brand statements, and thank you to the AMA for attending and participating!
-Helena Malcom