“Fractured CMO” is a common mix-up for fractional CMO: a senior marketing executive who works with your business part-time and ongoing, instead of as a full-time hire. If you searched for a fractured CMO, this is what you’re looking for, and here’s how it works for an owner-led business.
What a fractional (or “fractured”) CMO does
A fractional CMO owns your marketing strategy, sets priorities, manages the budget and vendors, and is accountable for results. At Ronin, the fractional CMO also does the hands-on work: local SEO, SEO and AI search, websites, paid media and email.
For a fuller definition, see what is a fractional CMO.
Who Benefits from a Fractional CMO? Ideal Businesses and Industries
Owner-led businesses doing $1 million to $10 million a year that have outgrown doing marketing themselves but don’t need a full-time executive:
- Home services: roofing, HVAC, plumbing, remodeling and more
- Legal and professional services: law firms and accounting firms
- Owners planning a sale in the next one to five years
Signs you need one
- You’re still making every marketing decision yourself
- Leads come in waves and you can’t say why
- You’re paying an agency or freelancers and can’t tell if it’s working
- Competitors are passing you on Google Maps
- You want the business to be worth more to a buyer
See when to hire a fractional CMO for more.
What it costs
Ronin’s fractional CMO engagements run $2,500 to $10,000 a month, priced by scope and outcomes. That’s an experienced CMO for about what you’d pay a social media manager. Most clients see early results within 30 days, and the bigger gains build over months. See how much a fractional CMO costs.
How the work is structured
Every engagement follows the Ronin Method: Map (strategy, about the first 30 days), Build (website, Google Business Profile and tracking), Grow (the channels that fit your market) and Multiply (turning up what works). Because founder Justin Smith also runs an M&A advisory practice, every plan is built around what the business will be worth to a buyer.
Book a strategy session to talk through whether it’s the right fit.
FAQ
Is a fractured CMO the same as a fractional CMO?
Yes. “Fractured CMO” is a common misspelling. The role is a fractional CMO: part-time, ongoing senior marketing leadership.
How is a fractional CMO different from a marketing agency?
An agency sells channels. A fractional CMO owns the strategy and the results. See fractional CMO vs. marketing agency.
How long do engagements last?
Ronin’s engagements typically run one to two years.
For how this works inside an ongoing engagement, see fractional CMO services.