FRACTIONAL CMO

What is a fractional CMO?

And do you actually need one?

Marketing too complex for a generalist, not big enough for a $200K executive. A fractional CMO fills that gap.

Signs you need one:

  • Pipeline dried up and nobody knows why
  • Marketing is "someone's part-time job"
  • Spending money but can't prove ROI
  • Good team, no strategic direction

THE SHORT ANSWER

CMO-level strategy without the CMO-level salary.

Strategic leadership — direction, team, metrics, revenue — without the full-time commitment. You get the experience of a seasoned executive who's done this before, on your terms.

Tom Zandstra
Tom Zandstra, Fractional CMO

15+ years building marketing systems for B2B companies. Adjunct professor at Calvin University. Clients have closed seven-figure Fortune 500 deals.

$1M+

Single deal closed with a Fortune 500

5K+

Webinar signups from organic outreach

1,650%

Increase in organic web traffic for a single client

HOW IT COMPARES

Fractional CMO vs. the alternatives

Fractional CMO
Strategic + hands-on
Exec-level experience
Accountable for results
Flexible commitment
Multi-industry pattern recognition
Full-time CMO
Strategic, not hands-on
$200K+ salary + benefits
Accountable for results
Long-term commitment
Single-company perspective
Agency
Tactical execution
Deliverables, not outcomes
Contract-based
Your strategy, their hands
Marketing manager
Tactical execution
$60K+ salary
Full-time hire
Needs strategic direction

Want to see what a fractional CMO could do for your business?

Book a Free Strategy Call

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What founders ask before saying yes

What happens in the first 30 days?

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Week one: audit your funnel, talk to your sales team, and find where leads are actually coming from. By week four: a strategy tied to revenue targets and the first fix already in motion. You'll feel the difference because someone finally owns marketing instead of just doing tasks inside it.

I already tried an agency. Why is this different?

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An agency delivers what you asked for. The problem is knowing what to ask for. A fractional CMO sets the direction, decides what gets built, and stays accountable for whether it actually moves pipeline. If it doesn't work, I'm the one who has to fix it — not write a report about it.

How much does it cost?

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Engagements start at $2,500/month, with most clients landing between $2,500–$5,000 depending on the depth of involvement. No long-term contracts — we'll scope it on the first call so you know exactly what you're getting before you commit anything. See pricing details →

How will I know it's working?

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You'll see the numbers. Pipeline generated, cost per lead, conversion rates, revenue influenced — reported monthly in plain language. If you can't tie marketing spend to revenue within 90 days, something is wrong and we'll fix it or be honest about it.

We don't have a marketing team yet. Is that a problem?

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No. Some companies have a team that needs leadership. Others start from zero. Either way, the engagement is built around what you actually need — whether that's hiring the right people, managing freelancers, or building systems before you bring anyone on.

What if we outgrow the engagement?

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That's the goal. Most engagements run 6-18 months. Once your internal team can execute the strategy on their own, we shift to lighter advisory or wrap up entirely. No lock-in contracts — you stay because it's working, not because you're stuck.

Have a question that's not here? Let's talk through it →

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Let's figure out if this is the right fit.

One call. We'll look at your marketing, find what's broken, and tell you exactly what we'd do. No pitch deck, no pressure.