As a mid-sized business owner, chances are that you don’t have many resources available to help you achieve your big business goals.
You’re trying to bring everything in-house to minimize spending, but this may actually be hurting you.
Sometimes, an outsider’s perspective is just what you need.
A fractional CMO (chief marketing officer) and a consultant are both valuable resources for any-sized business, but they serve different purposes and have varying roles within a company.
Here’s what you need to know.
What does a fractional CMO do?
A fractional CMO is an executive-level professional who provides marketing leadership and professional insight on a part-time or project basis. They are typically brought in to help a company develop and implement a marketing strategy, and they may also lead marketing teams and campaigns.
Some of the main areas that fractional CMOs help in include sales, pipelines, funnels, customer acquisition, and marketing execution.
Fractional CMOs will have a deep understanding of your industry and your target market. They will also have a good understanding of your company’s sales and revenue goals, working with your management team to develop and implement a marketing strategy that aligns with the company’s overall goals and objectives.
What does a consultant do?
A consultant, on the other hand, is an expert in a specific field who is hired to provide advice and guidance to a company. They may be brought in to help with a specific project or problem, or to provide ongoing support in a particular area of expertise.
A consultant may have a wide range of experience in different industries and a general understanding of different business functions. They may also have a strong understanding of market trends and industry best practices, providing valuable advice and guidance.
While yes, all these features sound almost identical to a fractional CMO, the key difference between the two is that a fractional CMO is more involved in the day-to-day operations of a company and has more decision-making authority, while a consultant is more of an advisor who provides guidance and expertise. Both are valuable resources for businesses, but they should be used in different ways.
To decide whether a fractional CMO or a consultant is best for you, start by asking yourself the following questions:
- Which resources do I already have and which do I need guidance with?
- Do I have an online presence? If not, do I want to establish one?
- What is my budget?
- Am I looking to boost traffic, awareness, and sales locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally?
- Do I know who my ideal target audience is?
- Do I need help with lead generation, boosting sales, or both?
Determining what exactly you need help with will give you a better idea of what personnel is the best option for you.
To sum up: a fractional CMO is an executive-level professional who can provide marketing leadership on a part-time or project basis, and a consultant is an expert in a specific field who is hired to provide advice and guidance to a company. Both have their own unique strengths and can help you achieve your goals in different ways.
At Bizzuka, our fractional CMOs will optimize your strategy to help you bring in more patients and retain current ones. When you’re ready to take your business to the next level and improve your customer retention and acquisition rates, schedule your free marketing diagnostic consultation with us.
You can also take our free, 5-minute assessment now to see where your strategy is falling short.