What is a fractional CMO (Chief Marketing Officer)?
A fractional CMO, or Chief Marketing Officer, is a marketing professional who works with a company on a part-time or project basis. They provide expertise in customer acquisition, sales development, and company growth.
This is an ideal solution for startups, non-profits, and mid-sized companies that want to improve their marketing efforts without the financial commitment of a full-time employee.
Key advantages of working with a fractional CMO
Cost-effective: Hiring a fractional CMO allows a startup to bring on an experienced marketing professional without incurring the full cost of a full-time employee.
Access to specialized expertise: A fractional CMO can bring a specific set of skills or experience that the startup may not have in-house, such as digital marketing, demand generation, or branding.
Flexibility: A fractional CMO can be hired on a project or part-time basis, which allows the startup to scale its marketing efforts as needed.
Objectivity: A fractional CMO can provide an outside perspective on the startup's marketing efforts, which can be valuable for identifying areas for improvement.
What should I look for in a fractional CMO?
When looking to hire a fractional CMO, it's important to look for someone who can help create a marketing plan tailored to your company's needs and execute it with your team. They should also have a network of third-party agencies or contractors that they can tap into.
You want them to be both strategic and player-coach. One who can set the ship sailing in the right direction while simultaneously helping execute critical initiatives.
Other benefits
They can be brought on for specific projects or campaigns and then let go when their services are no longer needed, allowing startups to avoid the commitment of a full-time employee.
Additionally, a fractional CMO can provide a fresh perspective on the company's marketing efforts, often bringing new ideas and strategies to the table.
Another benefit of a fractional CMO is that they often come with a wealth of experience and a diverse skill set. They have worked with various companies and broadly understand different industries and marketing challenges.
Hiring a full-time CMO can be costly, especially for a startup that may need more resources to support such a hire.
On the other hand, a fractional CMO can be brought on as needed, allowing the organization to invest in marketing expertise when they can afford it and scale back when necessary.
A great option if you need flexibility
With a fractional CMO, you get valuable expertise and guidance with flexibility, a diverse skill set, and access to a broader range of resources. This way, the CEO and executive team can stay focused on the most critical part of their business, growth, and operational success.
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Gregory Kennedy is a Fractional CMO who spent over a decade in Silicon Valley helping build $50M+ revenue companies. A two-time head of marketing, his expertise is in helping take startups from zero to scale.
Schedule a time to learn more about how he can help you.
