What is a Fractional CMO?
After more than 30 years in marketing, I transitioned into a role as a Fractional CMO, partnering with small to mid-sized businesses to help them grow and thrive.
The “CMO” Part
You probably know this already, but just to be clear, CMO stands for Chief Marketing Officer. A CMO leads all aspects of a company’s marketing strategy and execution. I’ll dive into the specifics in a bit, but essentially, it’s about building the brand, driving growth, and aligning marketing with the company’s big-picture goals.
The “Fractional” Part
Now, for the “fractional” part—this simply means I’m not full-time. As a Fractional CMO, I act as a marketing leader on a part-time or project basis. I work with multiple companies, dedicating time based on their needs—whether that’s a few hours a week or a few days a week. This setup provides flexibility and allows businesses to get top-tier CMO expertise without the full-time cost.
​
What Fractional CMO's Do
Fractional CMOs like myself help businesses in several key ways:
-
Crafting a marketing strategy that aligns with the company’s overall business plan.
-
Building and refining marketing funnels that drive customer acquisition and growth.
-
Developing actionable marketing plans tailored to achieve specific business goals.
-
Setting realistic and achievable growth targets for business leaders.
-
Overseeing marketing activities to ensure everything stays on track and goals are met.
​​
Additionally, we facilitate important conversations around:
-
Understanding customer needs and preferences.
-
Analyzing competitors and staying ahead of market trends.
-
Gaining insights into the broader market, helping businesses stay competitive.
​​
At a high level, my role involves defining goals, creating strategy, driving execution, and ultimately helping businesses grow their revenue. I also work closely with leadership teams, offering insights that help shape the company’s overall strategy.
My Specialties as a Fractional CMO
Beyond the core responsibilities, I bring a few specific areas of expertise to the table:
-
Omnichannel Strategy
-
Product Segmentation and Management
-
Channel Management
-
Margin Improvement Analysis
-
Pricing Protocol Development
-
White Label and Branding
-
Customer Development Coaching & Training
-
Marketing Research
-
Marketing Agency Oversight
-
Content Marketing Strategy & Planning
-
Packaging and In-Store Merchandising
-
Licensing
-
Bridging the gap between marketing and sales
​​
There’s more, but you get the idea!