We are excited to provide an update in this Q&A interview on Aliza Licht who is an award-winning marketer, bestselling author, podcaster, personal branding expert, and the founder of LEAVE YOUR MARK, a multimedia brand and consultancy who has written a new book, “On Brand: Shape Your Narrative. Share Your Vision. Shift Their Perception”! Aliza was named one of “America’s Next Top Mentors” by The New York Times and Business Insider’s “Top 20 Most Innovative Career Coaches.” As a social media pioneer and one of the first fashion influencers, Aliza created and was the voice of the anonymous social media phenomenon DKNY PR GIRL. You can learn all about her first book, “Leave Your Mark,” here.
My mom influenced my style growing up. She was always decked from head to toe with a full face of makeup- even to the gym. We grew up with the understanding that when you go out not looking your best, you will run into the last person you want to! Not kidding. So yes, that was ingrained in my brain. But truth be told, being put together was always my superpower. It’s how I felt most successful. I got dressed up for exams in college when everyone else rolled out of bed in pajamas. You can never go wrong looking your best. Visual identity is a powerful weapon in personal branding. I’m known for my red lip now, but that’s because it’s what I always wear. It’s caffeine for the face! Repetition is reputation.
Fashion is the most visual way for anyone to express their personal brand. It has the power to change your mindset and grow your confidence. In On Brand, Elizabeth Holmes and I dive into the visual cues of Royal fashion because every single look they wear is incredibly thoughtful. What you wear speaks volumes about you before you’ve even had a chance to open your mouth. You’re telling a story with your clothing. It’s not shallow; it’s strategic. *Learn more about fashion diplomacy & how/why royals & politicians wear what they wear here.
I was not planning on writing a second book, but when my friend Heather, a psychic, told me I would write one on personal branding, I laughed it off. When my former editor for Leave Your Mark texted three weeks later and said the same thing, I knew it was the universe speaking. I got the book deal in December 2022; the manuscript was due June 1st.
Thank you! Absolutely. Leave Your Mark was intended for young aspiring professionals. Still, many people beyond that age have found it enormously valuable and fun to read because it’s personal and, like The Devil Wears Prada, meets career advice. The Leave Your Mark podcast has extended the book’s life and grown a much wider audience. On Brand is for everyone and picks up right where Leave Your Mark left off. It’s for the new graduate seeking her first job, the middle manager looking to level up, the executive who wants to become more notable, the entrepreneur building from scratch, the person who wants to pivot to a new career, the influencer who is their own brand—it’s for anyone who wants to change the way people perceive them. In the hybrid and often virtual world we now work in, people need to be able to convey who they are no matter what the medium. Gone are the days of hoping your credentials speak for themselves. We communicate nonstop in obvious and subtle ways, so getting your message right and learning how to market yourself is paramount to success.
Thank you for that acknowledgment. There is always room at the table for everyone, and what people don’t realize is that the more you put yourself out there to help others, the more social capital you build. That comes back in spades. In On Brand, there is a whole chapter on how to earn social capital and cultivate authentic relationships. Your network is your career currency.
Instagram and TikTok: @alizalichtxo
Twitter: @alizalicht
*Headshot by Monica Farber
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