Have you ever heard of a Fractional CMO? It’s okay if you haven’t – lots of people don’t know what they are or what they do. CMO stands for Chief Marketing Officer. The “fractional” part means they only work part-time for a company. Today, we’re going to talk about what Fractional CMOs really do and clear up some common wrong ideas about their job.

Many people think Fractional CMOs are just like freelance marketers who do odd jobs for companies. But this isn’t true at all. Fractional CMOs are much more than that. They are experienced marketing leaders who have worked for many years in big companies. They know how to plan and run entire marketing departments.

A Fractional CMO doesn’t just do small marketing tasks. They help guide the whole marketing strategy for a company. They work closely with the company’s leaders to make big decisions about how to grow the business. They might only work part-time, but they act like a full member of the company’s leadership team.

Some people worry that because Fractional CMOs don’t work full-time, they can’t really understand what a company needs. But this isn’t true either. Fractional CMOs are experts at quickly learning about new companies and industries. They often work with many different types of businesses, so they’re very good at figuring out what each one needs.

In fact, Fractional CMOs can sometimes understand a company’s needs even better than a full-time CMO. Because they work with many different businesses, they can see patterns and solutions that someone who only works for one company might miss. They bring a fresh outside view that can be very helpful.

Many small business owners think they can’t afford a Fractional CMO. They imagine that hiring such an experienced marketing expert must cost a lot of money. But actually, Fractional CMOs can be a great choice for small businesses.

Remember, “fractional” means part-time. So instead of paying for a full-time CMO (which really would be expensive), a small business can hire a Fractional CMO for just a few days a month. This way, they get the benefit of top-level marketing advice without the high cost of a full-time executive.

Some people worry that because Fractional CMOs work for multiple companies, they don’t really care about each one. They think Fractional CMOs just want to do the bare minimum and move on to the next client. But this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Fractional CMOs are professionals who take pride in their work. They know that their success depends on helping their clients succeed. Most Fractional CMOs are very passionate about marketing and truly want to see the companies they work with grow and do well.

Also, many Fractional CMOs choose to work this way because they enjoy the variety and challenge of helping different businesses. They often become very invested in each company they work with and treat them like their own business.

Another common misconception is that Fractional CMOs can’t effectively lead a marketing team because they’re not there full-time. People worry that the marketing team won’t respect or listen to someone who’s only there part of the time.

But experienced Fractional CMOs are very good at leading teams, even when they’re not in the office every day. They use tools like video calls, project management software, and regular check-ins to stay connected with the team. They focus on setting clear goals, giving good direction, and helping team members grow their skills.

Many marketing teams actually enjoy working with Fractional CMOs because they bring new ideas and a different perspective. And because Fractional CMOs aren’t caught up in day-to-day office politics, they can often give more objective advice and leadership.

With so much focus on digital marketing these days, some people think that’s all Fractional CMOs do. They imagine Fractional CMOs just manage social media accounts and run online ads. But this is a big misunderstanding of what Fractional CMOs really do.

While digital marketing is certainly important, Fractional CMOs look at all aspects of marketing. This includes traditional marketing like TV and radio ads, print materials, and events. It also includes things like brand strategy, market research, and customer experience.

A good Fractional CMO helps create a complete marketing plan that uses all the right tools to reach customers, whether those tools are digital or not. They understand that different businesses need different marketing approaches, and they know how to create the right mix for each company they work with.

Some people think that because Fractional CMOs don’t work full-time for a company, they can’t help with long-term plans. They worry that Fractional CMOs only focus on quick wins and short-term results. But this isn’t true at all.

Fractional CMOs are experts at creating long-term marketing strategies. They know that real business growth takes time, and they help companies plan for the future. A good Fractional CMO will create marketing plans that look ahead several years, not just a few months.

In fact, because Fractional CMOs work with many different companies, they often have a better understanding of long-term trends in marketing and business. They can help companies prepare for changes that are coming in the future, which is a big part of long-term planning.

Marketing is always changing, especially with new technology coming out all the time. Some people worry that Fractional CMOs, who are often very experienced, might not know about the latest marketing trends and tools.

But the truth is, most Fractional CMOs are always learning and updating their skills. They have to stay current to be successful in their work. Because they work with different companies and see many different marketing challenges, they often learn about new tools and techniques faster than CMOs who work for just one company.

Many Fractional CMOs also go to marketing conferences, take online courses, and read a lot about new marketing trends. They know that staying up-to-date is a key part of their job, and they work hard to keep their skills fresh.

Sometimes companies face big problems that need quick action in marketing. This could be things like a product recall, bad publicity, or a sudden change in the market. Some people think that because Fractional CMOs aren’t there full-time, they can’t help during these crisis times.

But actually, Fractional CMOs can be very good at handling marketing crises. They often have experience dealing with many different types of problems from their work with other companies. This means they can often come up with solutions more quickly than someone who hasn’t seen as many different situations.

Also, because Fractional CMOs aren’t as emotionally connected to the company as full-time employees, they can sometimes make clearer, more objective decisions during a crisis. They can provide a calm, outside perspective that’s very valuable when things are stressful.

Some people think that because Fractional CMOs work with many different types of businesses, they can’t really understand any one industry deeply. They worry that a Fractional CMO won’t know enough about their specific type of business to be helpful.

But the truth is, many Fractional CMOs specialize in certain industries. They might focus on technology companies, or healthcare, or retail, for example. Even if they work across different industries, they spend time learning about each new client’s business and industry before they start working.

Also, the marketing skills that Fractional CMOs have often apply across many different types of businesses. Things like understanding customer behavior, creating strong brands, and measuring marketing results are important in every industry. A good Fractional CMO knows how to adapt these skills to different types of businesses.

In many companies, the CMO needs to work closely with other top leaders like the CEO, CFO, and COO. Some people worry that because Fractional CMOs aren’t there full-time, they can’t build good working relationships with these other executives.

But experienced Fractional CMOs are very good at quickly building strong relationships. They know how important it is to work well with the rest of the leadership team. They make sure to communicate clearly and often, even when they’re not in the office.

Many Fractional CMOs actually find it easier to build good relationships with executives because they’re not caught up in day-to-day office politics. They can focus on the big picture and on helping the business grow, which other leaders usually appreciate.

Every company has its own unique culture – the way people work together, the values they share, and the overall feeling of the workplace. Some people think that because Fractional CMOs aren’t full-time employees, they don’t care about or can’t fit into a company’s culture.

But good Fractional CMOs know how important company culture is. They take time to understand the culture of each company they work with. They adapt their style to fit in with the way the company works. Many Fractional CMOs even help improve company culture by bringing new ideas and perspectives.

Also, because Fractional CMOs see many different company cultures, they can often suggest ways to make a company’s culture stronger or better. They might notice things that people who are there every day don’t see.

Building a strong marketing team is an important part of a CMO’s job. Some people think that because Fractional CMOs aren’t there full-time, they can’t help hire good people or build a strong team.

But actually, Fractional CMOs can be very good at hiring and team building. They often have experience working with many different types of marketing professionals, so they know what to look for in good candidates. They can help write job descriptions, interview candidates, and choose the best people for each role.

Fractional CMOs also know how to structure marketing teams to work well together. They can suggest ways to organize the team that will help everyone do their best work. And because they’ve seen many different team structures, they often have good ideas about how to solve team problems or improve how people work together.

Marketing today uses a lot of technology. There are tools for managing social media, analyzing data, automating emails, and much more. Some people worry that Fractional CMOs, especially if they’ve been working for many years, might not understand these new technologies.

But most Fractional CMOs work hard to stay up-to-date with marketing technology. They know it’s a big part of modern marketing, and they make sure to learn about new tools and how to use them. In fact, because they work with different companies, they often get to try out many different marketing technologies.

Many Fractional CMOs are actually ahead of the curve when it comes to marketing technology. They can bring knowledge of new, helpful tools that a company might not have heard about otherwise. They can help companies choose the right technology and use it in the best way.

Some people worry that because Fractional CMOs only work part-time, they can’t provide steady, ongoing support to a company. They think that the marketing efforts might be start-and-stop, without consistent direction.

But good Fractional CMOs are very careful about providing consistent support. They set up regular check-ins and updates, even when they’re not in the office. They use tools like project management software to keep track of ongoing work and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

Many Fractional CMOs actually provide more consistent support than full-time CMOs. Because they’re focused only on high-level strategy and direction, they’re not getting pulled into small day-to-day issues that can distract from the big picture. This lets them keep a steady eye on the overall marketing goals and progress.

As we’ve seen, there are many myths and wrong ideas about what Fractional CMOs do and how they work. The truth is, Fractional CMOs can be a great choice for many companies. They bring top-level marketing expertise without the cost of a full-time executive. They offer fresh perspectives, broad experience, and focused strategic thinking.

Fractional CMOs are skilled leaders who can guide marketing strategy, build and lead teams, handle crises, and provide long-term planning. They stay up-to-date with the latest marketing trends and technologies. They work hard to understand each company’s unique needs and culture.

For many businesses, especially small and medium-sized companies, a Fractional CMO can be the perfect way to get high-level marketing leadership. They offer a flexible, cost-effective solution that can help businesses grow and succeed.

So the next time you hear someone talk about Fractional CMOs, you’ll know the truth behind the myths. These marketing experts play a valuable role in helping many different types of businesses improve their marketing and reach their goals.

If your company needs a B2B SaaS fractional CMO, consider working with Peter Geisheker. Peter has been providing Fractional CMO services for over 20 years and has expertise in growth tactics and conversion optimization. View Peter’s SaaS fractional CMO case studies.