Growth Strategy Insights

The strategic architecture framework that helps growth-stage companies build scalable marketing systems. Based on proven methodologies for $1-5M companies.

The strategic architecture framework that helps growth-stage companies build scalable marketing systems. Based on proven methodologies for $1-5M companies.

Compare fractional CMO retainers vs project-based strategy sprints. Learn which approach delivers faster results for $1-5M companies.

Fractional CMOs solve the wrong problem for growth-stage companies. Here's why—and what actually works when you need strategic clarity without the commitment.

How to grow fast without paying for it later.

Full-time CMO ($676K, $50M+), VP Marketing ($280K, $10M+), fractional CMO ($180K, $2M-$50M), agency, advisor, strategy sprint. Wrong choice wastes $50K-$200K+ and 6-12 months.

Most companies ask 'tell me about yourself' and hire wrong. Ask these 25 instead: Process clarity (repeatable or ad-hoc?), proof of results (numbers required), CEO references (not marketers).

Mistake #1: $0 execution budget beyond CMO fee. Strategy sits in docs, nothing launches. Plus: expecting tactics, hiring pre-PMF, no clear goals. How to avoid all 9.

Hiring a B2C fractional CMO for B2B? They'll optimize for 3-day conversion, not 120-180 day enterprise sales. What B2B CMOs MUST know: ABM, multi-stakeholder buying, sales alignment.

Real fractional CMO ROI data: $1.50 return per $1 invested (50% ROI), 35% MQL increase, 20-30% CAC reduction in 6-12 months. How to measure with revenue KPIs, not vanity metrics.

Separate real fractional CMOs from marketing generalists rebranding themselves. Portfolio evaluation (need 3+ case studies with numbers), CEO references (not just marketers), trial periods.

Fractional at $144K/year or full-time at $676K/year? Here's the revenue threshold ($50M), team size (10+ people), and complexity that decides which CMO model you actually need.

$2M+ revenue? 3-person team? 80%+ retention? Most startups hire fractional CMOs too early and waste $60K+. Here's exactly when you're ready (and cheaper alternatives before then).

No exit clause? They retain IP rights? Vague scope? These contract mistakes lock you into bad engagements. What to negotiate before signing a fractional CMO contract.

Fractional CMOs don't fix broken strategy, missing execution, or unclear positioning. Research-backed guide on 7 situations where hiring one wastes $60K-$120K.

Fractional CMO or marketing agency? Most companies choose wrong and waste $50K+. Here's how to decide based on your actual bottleneck, backed by research data.

Your growth plateaued and you're not sure why. Before spending $50K+ on help, ask these 8 questions to diagnose what's actually broken—not what someone's trying to sell you.

Actual fractional CMO pricing from industry research: $3K-$15K/month ranges, what drives costs up or down, hidden expenses most companies miss, and how to calculate true total cost.

Paying $12K/month but NOT getting execution? Here's exactly what fractional CMO services include (strategy, oversight) vs what they don't (content, ads, daily work). Avoid costly surprises.

Everything you need to know about fractional CMOs: what they actually do, real pricing data, market trends, when to hire vs alternatives, and how to evaluate providers.