What Does a Fractional CMO Actually Do?

Team LISClient Acquisition

If you’ve been hearing the term “fractional CMO” more often lately, you’re not alone.

The interest is exploding.
And for good reason.

Businesses are realizing they don’t need a full-time Chief Marketing Officer to get full-time results.
They just need the right leader.

In this blog, I’ll break down what a fractional CMO really does, how it works, and why it’s one of the smartest moves growing companies can make.

First, What Is a Fractional CMO?

A fractional CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) is a senior marketing strategist hired on a part-time or contract basis.
They guide your business like a full-time CMO would, but without the full-time overhead.

Instead of paying $250,000+ per year for a CMO, you bring in a proven expert at a fraction of the cost.

What Services Does a Fractional CMO Offer?

This isn’t just about running ads or fixing your email funnel.
Fractional CMO services go deeper.

They look at your entire marketing system and ask:

  • What is actually driving results?
  • What’s broken and costing you leads?
  • Where is the real opportunity to grow?

A great fractional CMO becomes the glue between your sales team, marketing staff, web team, and outside agencies.

They create harmony.
They create strategy.
They own the outcome.

Some of the most common services include:

  • Developing a full-stack marketing strategy
  • Building systems for lead generation and conversion
  • Overseeing the creative direction and content roadmap
  • Managing your internal and external marketing teams
  • Setting up clear performance metrics and tracking systems

When Does It Make Sense to Hire a Fractional CMO?

Here’s the simple rule:

If your business is making at least $1M in revenue and you don’t have a true marketing leader, you’re leaving money on the table.

Fractional CMOs are ideal for companies between $1M and $10M.
That’s the awkward growth phase where hiring a full-time CMO may feel too risky or expensive, but going without strategy is even riskier.

And if your internal team is constantly switching agencies, chasing trends, or launching new offers without a clear direction, you need more than tactics.
You need leadership.

How Much Does a Fractional CMO Cost?

Rates vary based on experience and scope, but most fractional CMOs charge between $5,000 and $15,000 per month.
That’s significantly less than hiring full-time and gives you access to top-level talent without the long-term risk.

Some businesses start with a fractional CMO agency, while others work directly with an individual.
In both cases, the ROI can be massive, if you’re ready to move fast, get focused, and start executing.
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