Same seat/
Smaller bill.
A full-time CMO makes sense when marketing is big enough to fill a week, every week. Until then, you pay for time you don't use. A fractional CMO gives you the same judgment for the hours the job actually needs.
The trade-offs/
Honestly.
| Fractional CMO | Full-time CMO | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | From $5,000 a month, flat | A six-figure salary, plus bonus, benefits, and equity |
| Time to start | This month | A search that often takes months |
| Commitment | 90 days, then month to month | Employment, with severance to exit |
| Availability | Set hours, fast response | Full time, in the building |
| Team building | Manages agencies and vendors | Can hire and grow an internal team |
Outgrow me/
On purpose.
You're ready for a full-time CMO when you have an internal marketing team of several people to lead, when marketing decisions come up daily, or when the budget is large enough that a few points of efficiency pay a full salary.
When that day comes, I'll help you write the job description, interview candidates, and hand over the plan, the dashboards, and the agency relationships. A clean handoff is part of the job.
Fractional/
Answered.
How much cheaper is a fractional CMO than a full-time CMO?
A full-time CMO's salary alone runs well into six figures before bonus and benefits. My fee starts at $5,000 a month, flat, with no benefits, equity, or recruiting fee.
Can a fractional CMO manage my marketing team?
Yes. I can lead a small in-house team alongside your agencies, set their priorities, and run their weekly check-ins.
Will you help hire my full-time CMO later?
Yes. Helping you hire your next marketing leader and handing off cleanly is part of the job.