It's the end of February 2019, and businesses are already gearing up to launch their greatest marketing campaigns of the year. All these marketing campaigns all have one thing in common: the consumer.

Customer Experience - or CX for short - is reportedly the biggest differentiator between success and failure of modern marketing and branding strategies.

Why? Because consumers like to feel heard and cared for. In a capitalist society where the dollar seems to rule all - though it really doesn't — consumers like to feel that the corporations they work for are really run by people just like them. However, this is a rare experience as only 7% of consumers state that companies they regularly engage with exceed their customer service expectations.

While consumers are generally satisfied with experiences that meet their expectations, when they have a bad experience at a corporation, it takes 12 positive experiences to repair any damage caused by a negative one.

Long gone are the days where a startup had to spend an arm and a leg just so they can get their business brand out in the world. With the advent of the internet and social media shortly after, it has become very easy for even the smallest of startups to make themselves known while operating on a budget.

But in order to pull this off, you'll first of all need to have a game plan. Here's a self-sustained guide to a smart business promotion that any startup can use without having to strain from a financial standpoint:

Branding as a strategy means so many things, but it is a simple idea. Your customers determine what you brand it and coming up with an effective brand strategy can go a long way in swaying the prospects in a crowded market. It is crucial for mid-market companies who want to distinguish themselves from other competitors.

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More so when it comes to putting together a brand, the look and iconography are crucial to its success. You ought to be sure that your brand design is unique. The business must have a comprehensive and well-strategized branding strategy. With knowledge and research, it is easy for the business to build a brand around the product and services it provides.