The retainer
Three ways to work with your fractional CMO.
Every tier includes a senior fractional CMO and the seven-stage system. The difference is how much of the work your own team takes on.
You run it
$2,500/ month
For teams that can execute and need senior direction.
- A monthly strategy session with your fractional CMO
- Quarterly planning and an updated 90-day calendar
- Scorecard review
- Playbooks and a trained AI workspace for your team
Most common
We lead your team
$5,000/ month
For businesses with marketers or vendors and nobody steering them.
- Everything in the first tier
- Your fractional CMO runs the Momentum Meetings
- Day-to-day direction for your people and vendors
- Campaign briefs and workstream management
We run it for you
$10,000/ month
For businesses that want the plan executed, start to finish.
- Everything in the second tier
- Our team produces the content and campaigns
- SEO, email and social handled
- Video by Gisteo and web work by SiteWow.ai, scoped per quarter
Every retainer starts from a strategy. If you already have one you trust, we review it and build from there. If not, we start with Strategy First.
See what Strategy First coversThe comparison
What you get against the usual options.
A full-time CMO brings the thinking and still needs a team to do the work. An agency brings the team and rarely a plan. A growing business needs both.
| Full-time CMO | Typical agency | The fCMO Agency | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior strategy | Yes | Rarely. Strategy is often a sales tool. | Yes. A fractional CMO leads every engagement. |
| A system for running the plan | Has to build one | Their own process, built around their services | The licensed Marketing Operating System |
| People to do the work | Has to hire them | Yes | Yes, or we lead your team |
| Cost | Executive salary, benefits and a team | Retainer plus project fees | $2,500 to $10,000 a month |
| Time to start | A search, then onboarding | After the pitch and contract | Strategy First begins as soon as the intake is done |
The rhythm
What working together looks like.
Every week
Workstream check-in
What shipped, what is stuck, what is next. Short, and focused on the plan.
Every month
Scorecard review
The numbers that matter, what they mean and what changes because of them.
Every quarter
Planning session
Results reviewed, priorities reset and a new 90-day calendar agreed.
Questions
Fractional CMO questions, answered.
What is a fractional CMO?
A fractional CMO is a senior marketing leader who works with your business part-time, on a monthly retainer, instead of as a full-time executive. They set the strategy, run the plan and direct the people and vendors doing the work. At The fCMO Agency, every engagement is led by a fractional CMO and runs on the Marketing Operating System.
How much does a fractional CMO cost?
Our fractional CMO retainer has three tiers. You run it: $2,500 a month for senior direction while your team executes. We lead your team: $5,000 a month, where your fractional CMO also directs your people and vendors. We run it for you: $10,000 a month, where our team produces the content and campaigns as well. For what drives the price, see how much a fractional CMO costs.
What is the difference between a fractional CMO and a marketing agency?
A fractional CMO brings the thinking: strategy, priorities and accountability. A typical agency brings people to do the work, usually without a plan of its own. The fCMO Agency is a fractional CMO agency, so you get both: a senior strategist leading every engagement and, if you want it, the team to execute.
Is a fractional CMO cheaper than hiring a full-time CMO?
Yes, in most cases by a wide margin. A full-time CMO comes with an executive salary and benefits, and still needs a team to do the work. Our retainer runs $2,500 to $10,000 a month. Read what each option really costs.
What happens first when I hire a fractional CMO?
Every retainer starts from a strategy. If you already have one you trust, we review it and build from there. If not, we start with Strategy First: a ten-part marketing strategy in 30 to 45 days, built in three working sessions, covering your ideal client, core message, customer journey and a 90-day plan.
Can a fractional CMO work with my existing marketing team or vendors?
Yes. That is what the middle tier is for. Your fractional CMO runs the Momentum Meetings, gives day-to-day direction to your people and vendors, and manages the workstreams and campaign briefs.
What does working with a fractional CMO look like week to week?
A short workstream check-in every week, a scorecard review every month and a planning session every quarter, where results are reviewed, priorities reset and a new 90-day calendar agreed.
Do you work with law firms and financial services firms?
Yes. Professional services firms are a strong fit, because referrals and reputation drive most of their growth. See how it works for law firms and for financial services firms.
How do I get started?
Take the free marketing strategy assessment to see where your marketing stands, or book a Growth Session with Stephen Conley.