What is a Fractional CMO and Why Do I Need One?
Okay, I'm just going to say it. You're a badass.
Starting a business is NOT easy and here you are making it work and scaling, racing past that six-figure mark.
Did you know that 90% of female business owners never make six figures in their business? Yep, it's crazy - I know.
And one thing I see over and over again is female founders trying to create content and market themselves using a VA or a junior social media manager. To be clear, there is *nothing* wrong with that.
There are only so many hours in a day and you may not have thousands and thousands a month to outsource everything to a big agency.
But where this setup tends to lack and will hold you back from hitting that seven-figure mark (and beyond) is strategy. You've got the doers doing things, but they don't have the framework or experience to create a big-picture strategy that is a huge part of what makes marketing successful for businesses.
That's where a fractional CMO comes in.
"What the heck is a fractional CMO?"
Fractional CMOs (chief marketing officers) are experienced marketing pros with years of experience and results to back it up. A lot of them have worked in corporate environments or startups, and chances are they used to be the doers before they leveled up to leading and strategy building.
"But what do they do and why do I need one?"
You gain access to their expertise
A fractional CMO has years of experience working with a variety of businesses and industries, giving them a depth of knowledge that you can leverage for your business. They can help you develop a marketing strategy that aligns with your business goals and objectives and provide insights and recommendations on target markets, branding, messaging, and more.
They're cost-effective
Hiring a full-time CMO can be expensive, but a fractional CMO works on a part-time basis, so you get access to high-level expertise without the full-time salary and benefits.
They optimize what you already have
A fractional CMO can come into a structure where the bulk of marketing has been done by VAs and more junior support, identify what's working (and what isn't), and give them the support and big-picture strategy they need to execute. They're also excellent at QA, so you know every piece of content being produced is on-brand, on-message, and aligns with your strategic goals.
They can be objective and see the 50,000-foot view
Sometimes, it's hard to see the forest for the trees. A fractional CMO can provide an objective perspective on your marketing efforts and help you identify areas for improvement. They can also offer an outside-in view on industry trends, and competitor analysis to help you stay ahead of the game.
They know how to get you from point A to point B using strategy
A fractional CMO can help you develop a marketing strategy that aligns with your business goals and objectives, so you can focus on being the face of your business and the amazing thought leader that you are.
Let's talk about an example of a fractional CMO working within a business...
Company X is a small e-commerce company that sells handmade soaps and skincare products. The business had grown steadily through word-of-mouth and a small social media presence, but the founder wanted to increase sales and expand into new markets.
The owner hired a fractional CMO who worked with her to develop a marketing strategy that aligned with the business's goals. The CMO started by conducting market research and analyzing the competition to identify areas where the business could differentiate itself. She also helped the owner develop a more robust social media presence, including creating content that resonated with the business's target audience.
One of the most significant changes the CMO made was to shift the business's focus from selling individual products to selling a lifestyle. By positioning the products as part of a self-care routine and emphasizing the use of natural, environmentally friendly ingredients, the business was able to differentiate itself from its competitors and appeal to a broader audience.
As a result of working with the fractional CMO, the business saw a significant increase in sales and was able to expand into new markets. The owner was able to focus on running the business while the CMO handled the marketing, providing valuable expertise and strategic guidance.
The example above? It could be YOU.
Book a consult and see if you're in the right place in your business journey to bring in a fractional CMO.