Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about how I work, what it costs, and whether we’re a fit. No jargon. If your question isn’t here, ask me directly.
What is a fractional CMO?
A fractional CMO is a senior marketing leader you hire part-time. You get the strategy and judgment of a chief marketing officer without the six-figure salary. I plug into your business, set the direction, and make sure your marketing actually drives revenue. You rent the experience, not the overhead.
Do I actually need a fractional CMO?
Maybe not. Here’s the honest test. If you’re spending real money on marketing but nobody senior owns the strategy, you need one. If your marketing feels busy but you can’t tell what’s working, you need one. If you’re already growing the way you want and you have a strong marketing leader, you don’t. I’ll tell you straight if you’re not a fit.
What’s the difference between a fractional CMO, a consultant, an agency, and a full-time hire?
The short version. A full-time CMO runs your marketing and costs north of $200,000 a year. An agency executes tactics, often without owning your strategy. A consultant advises, then hands you a plan to run yourself. A fractional CMO sits in the middle. I lead the strategy and stay accountable for the results, at a fraction of the full-time cost. I broke this down in full on the blog if you want to go deeper.
How are you different from a marketing agency?
Agencies sell you tactics. I sell you the truth. Most agencies make money when you spend more, so they rarely tell you to stop doing something. I work for you, not for a media budget. I’ll tell you what to cut, what to keep, and what’s a waste, even when it means less work for me. That’s the difference.
What does it cost to work with you?
It depends on what you need, and I’d rather be straight than pretend one price fits everyone. Most ongoing engagements start around $3,000 a month. The number moves with scope. How many hours, how hands-on, how many moving parts. An owner who needs monthly strategy sits at the lower end. A team that needs me in the trenches every week sits higher. One-time work, like a training day or a speaking engagement, is quoted on its own. On our first call, I’ll give you a real number for your situation. No menu prices. No surprises.
What services do you offer?
Five, and they connect. Fractional CMO work, small business marketing consulting, sales strategy and process, marketing and sales training, and public speaking. Some clients want one. Some want a mix.
What kinds of businesses do you work with?
Small and mid-sized businesses, usually between $1 million and $25 million in revenue. Often the owner is wearing too many hats, and marketing is one of them. I work best with people who want the truth and are ready to act on it. I’m not a fit for a business chasing a magic tactic instead of a plan.
Do you work remotely, or only in New Hampshire?
Both. I’m based in New Hampshire and work in person across New England. I also work remotely with clients anywhere in the country. Good strategy travels.
What does working together actually look like?
We start with a clear-eyed look at where you are. What’s working, what’s leaking, what’s missing. Then I build a plan, in priority order, with the reasoning behind each move. Then we meet on a rhythm that fits you, weekly or monthly, and adjust as we learn. You always know what to do next and why.
How fast will I see results?
It depends on the starting point. Some fixes are fast, like a broken funnel or a wasted ad budget. Real, compounding growth takes months, not days. Anyone who promises overnight results is selling something. I’d rather set the expectation honestly and then beat it.
What’s the free marketing evaluation?
It’s the easiest way to start. I review your website and online presence and send you the top three fixes, ranked by impact, within three business days. No pitch. No obligation. Just an honest read on what’s helping you and what’s holding you back. I cap them at five a month so each one gets real attention. Get your free marketing evaluation.
Why should I trust you with my marketing?
Eighteen-plus years leading marketing, sales, and media. I’ve helped a retail business grow from $4 million to more than $15 million, driven steady enrollment growth for education clients, and overseen tens of millions in ad spend. But the real answer is simpler. I tell business owners the truth, even when it costs me the work. Ask anyone I’ve worked with.
How do I get started?
Two ways. Get your free marketing evaluation, or reach out for a straight conversation about your business. No pressure. No scripted pitch. Just a real talk about where you want to go, and whether I can help you get there.