Fractional CMO FAQs | BrandHaus Social Club

Question 1

What does a fractional CMO engagement actually look like?

Accepted Answer

Most engagements begin with a 2–4 week discovery phase — aligning on business goals, auditing current brand and marketing positioning, and identifying the highest-priority opportunities for growth. From there, I work on a monthly retainer, typically 2–4 days per week depending on scope and business stage. I operate as your head of marketing: setting strategic direction, joining leadership calls, partnering with your team on execution, and managing vendors or agencies where needed. Engagements typically run 4–12+ months, with many clients extending as the business scales.

Question 2

How much does a fractional CMO cost?

Accepted Answer

Fractional CMO retainers typically range from $3,000 to $15,000 per month, depending on scope, time commitment, and business complexity. For context, a full-time Chief Marketing Officer typically costs $180,000–$300,000+ per year in salary alone — before benefits, equity, or recruiting fees. Fractional leadership delivers senior strategic expertise at a fraction of that cost, with no long-term employment commitment. Project-based work — brand audits, go-to-market strategy, rebrand leadership — is scoped and priced separately based on deliverables.

Question 3

What does a Fractional CMO do?

Accepted Answer

A Fractional Chief Marketing Officer provides senior-level marketing strategy and leadership on a flexible, part-time basis — giving companies access to C-suite marketing expertise without the cost or commitment of a full-time executive hire. A fractional CMO owns brand positioning, go-to-market strategy, messaging, demand generation, and marketing leadership. They sit inside the business as a true marketing leader — not as an outside consultant or agency — setting direction and partnering on execution.

Question 4

Who is fractional marketing leadership best for?

Accepted Answer

Fractional marketing leadership is a strong fit for startups that need senior direction, scaling companies that have outgrown DIY marketing but aren’t ready for a full-time executive hire, and small businesses that want to use brand and marketing to drive measurable growth. It’s also a strong fit for teams that have execution support but need a leader to set priorities and own outcomes.

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