Running a small business, no matter your niche, relies heavily on your marketing talents. Of course, marketing is time consuming—and it’s even more tedious to learn the ropes if they’re new to you. Luckily, you can hire a Fractional CMO to help out with marketing, and keep your eyes set on the other creative components of your business.

What Is a Fractional CMO and How Can One Benefit Your Business? | Wind Water Marketing

What Is a Fractional CMO?  

A full-time CMO (chief marketing officer) is expensive for any size company. For a small to midsize business, it’s near impossible to justify the cost. But a Fractional CMO is (you guessed it!) a fraction of the cost.

Fractional CMOs are hired to work a limited (affordable) amount of time each month. They swoop in to help coordinate marketing campaigns, answer complicated questions, and provide key guidance to help you experience more success with advertising.

Plus, they remain on call for emergencies. It’s exactly the peace of mind you need to truly excel and grow your business with confidence.

Related: What Is Fractional Marketing, And Is It A Good Idea For Your Small Business?

What Does a Fractional CMO Do? 

A Fractional CMO handles all the marketing tasks for your business—from budgeting to content and execution. You can imagine what a relief they are to any business owner. But, like any open position on your team, candidates have varying strengths and experiences.

The ideal Fractional CMO for your business will have experience (and proven success) with a similar-size team. 

You can trust them with quite a bit, including: 

  • Messaging
  • Preparation of materials
  • Branding
  • Automation setup
  • Marketing finances 

Be sure to spend an adequate amount of time searching for the right fit for your growing business. After all, fractional or not, a CMO is an integral role, so finding the right fit is essential.

6 Benefits of Hiring a Fractional CMO 

No one can blame you for remaining on the fence with this decision. After all, hiring a Fractional CMO is huge! But the benefits far outweigh the risks. Here are six reasons you should team up with a Fractional CMO partner.

They’ll Build a Solid Marketing Strategy to Help You Grow

Effective marketing is more than putting out fires. The decisions you make should lend themselves to a long-term plan. 

A Fractional CMO’s goal is to see that word spreads about the great work you do. They focus on building a marketing blueprint so everything between your social media accounts, organic search content, and landing pages becomes cohesive. 

A Fractional CMO Has a Ton of Marketing Knowledge 

The truth is, you could choose any existing member of your team to head marketing efforts, but they won’t have the experience you need. A well-versed CMO has seen it all after years in the marketing game.

If your goal is to grow, you need someone knowledgeable and confident who can give you a leg up. They’ll even be able to educate other members of your team, so you can eventually remove the training wheels and take off independently if you want.

They Can Improve Your Existing Marketing Content

Of course, you’re not without strong marketing ideas of your own. But have you ever encountered a time when you wished someone more knowledgeable was around to edit or strategize your content? A Fractional CMO can mold underdeveloped marketing schemes into full-fledged campaigns that wow! 

They’ll start by honestly discussing your pitch plans and creative content, then steer you down the most sensible avenues to find the right audience to maximize ROI. Face it! It’s a lot easier to pull off a master plan with an actual marketing master.

Bringing On a Fractional CMO Saves Money 

This advantage tends to shock small business owners, but it’s true. Even though a Fractional CMO costs a bit of money upfront, it’s part of their job to earn it all back for your business. And you can modify their schedule to make their services fit your budget.

That’s not to mention, if you need a marketing expert on your team, a full-time CMO costs a small fortune. You get the same expertise and precision by hiring a Fractional CMO—without breaking the bank. And any extra funds can be put towards other teammates and tools you need to truly soar.

They’re More Efficient with Their Time 

A time crunch isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Fractional CMOs are accustomed to working efficiently and effectively. (Or else they’d be out of work opportunities, right?) They don’t have the luxury of distraction, but who needs those anyway?

Picture your Fractional CMO showing up to work with nothing but energy and focus. They want the same results you do, which means they bring their “A” game each and every time they’re on the clock. Planning, testing, and implementing marketing strategies is second nature to them.

Your Team Will Have Better Communication Overall 

Right now, you may have one person on your team who keeps up with social media and another who heads the content on your website. You probably check your funnel analytics on occasion, but with so much else on your plate, it’s hard to keep track of it all.

A Fractional CMO becomes the captain of your marketing ship. Communication about your brand to your clients and across your team becomes much stronger when one (knowledgeable) person is at the center. CMOs are excellent at clarifying, explaining, or redirecting around marketing as needed.


This is your sign you need a Fractional CMO for your small business. Your plate is full enough as it is! Let a Fractional CMO take charge of your marketing plans, and see your business thrive.

Ready to invest in fractional marketing? If you’re ready to take advantage of all that this type of marketing has to offer, learn more about my services today.

What Is a Fractional CMO and How Can One Benefit Your Business? | Wind Water Marketing