Marketing plays a crucial role in driving growth and staying ahead of the competition. But if you’re the CEO of a growing business and marketing is just one of many things on your desk, who is making marketing a priority?

If nobody on your team has marketing as priority then it’s likely that your marketing isn’t very strategic, proactive, or effective. For businesses without a dedicated marketing role or function, a fractional CMO might be the missing piece to unlock your marketing potential.

Understanding the Fractional CMO

A fractional CMO is a seasoned marketing executive who provides part-time or temporary CMO services to companies. They bring extensive experience, strategic thinking, and industry insights to the table, acting as a trusted advisor to help businesses maximize their marketing efforts. Fractional CMOs offer flexible engagement options that let businesses access top-tier marketing expertise without the commitment of a full-time executive.

What fractional marketing brings to the table

1. Strategic Expertise: Fractional CMOs possess a wealth of knowledge and expertise gained from working across industries. They have a proven track record of developing successful marketing strategies tailored to specific business goals, target audiences, and competitive landscapes.

2. Marketing Ownership: Some companies who offer fractional marketing services will also take ownership of your marketing for you. That means they’ll provide the strategic direction as well as manage the day-to-day details if that’s what you need. In those cases, you’re getting more of a marketing team that might include a CMO, a project manager, or a marketing administrator.

3. Cost-Effective Solution: Hiring a full-time CMO can be financially burdensome for many organizations. Fractional CMOs offer a cost-effective alternative by providing high-level marketing guidance without the hefty salary and benefits associated with a full-time executive. You can leverage their expertise as needed, whether it’s for specific projects, interim periods, or during times of high demand.

4. Access to a Diverse Skill Set: Fractional CMOs are often well-versed in various aspects of marketing, including branding, market research, digital marketing, advertising, and public relations. Their multidisciplinary skill set enables them to provide comprehensive solutions and guide your organization through various marketing challenges.

5. Industry Suppliers: If you need other suppliers for writing, design, digital ads, website, etc, a fractional marketer likely has some contacts they can recommend for you. They also know how to manage your suppliers so you can maximize your investment with them. Their experience means they know what questions to ask those suppliers, how to provide them with direction, and how to evaluate and troubleshoot their performance.

Will fractional marketing work for your business?

If you know you need marketing help beyond just having someone post on your social media, you should talk to a fractional marketing firm to see what they have to offer. We’re happy to sit down with companies who are simply trying to figure out what kind of resource they need to help. Get in touch if you’d like to have that conversation with us. But in general, consider the following factors if you’re thinking of engaging someone for fractional marketing service:

1. You Have Resource Constraints: Are you currently lacking a dedicated marketing leader or experiencing limited resources to handle marketing initiatives? A fractional CMO can step in and bridge that gap, providing the expertise required to drive your marketing efforts forward.

2. You Need to Know Your Priorities: If you find your marketing initiatives lacking direction or struggling to yield desired results, a fractional CMO can offer valuable insights and devise a cohesive marketing strategy aligned with your overall business objectives. Or maybe you’re not sure what should be a priority or what shouldn’t.

3. You Have Project-Based Requirements: Do you have specific marketing projects or campaigns that demand specialized expertise? Engaging a fractional CMO allows you to tap into their knowledge and experience, ensuring the success of these initiatives while avoiding the overhead of a full-time executive.

4. You Need Some Structure: A lot of businesses engage with different marketing suppliers for different aspects of their marketing – but they’re not all rowing in the same direction. Does the company who’s running your Google ads know what the company helping you with SEO is doing? Do they both have the same goals and objectives in mind. A fractional marketing expert can get them all pointed in the right direction.

Bench Strength Marketing offers fractional marketing services to B2B businesses. We can bring the full team of CMO, project management, and marketing admin if that’s what you need. Reach out if you think fractional marketing is right for your business.