Fractional CMO
FAQ

About Working with a Fractional CMO in Sussex

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What does a Fractional CMO do?

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A Fractional CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) offers senior-level marketing leadership on a part-time or flexible basis. They help businesses set strategy, manage agencies and teams, and ensure every marketing pound delivers ROI, without the cost of a full-time CMO.

How is a Fractional CMO different from a Marketing Consultant?

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A consultant defines what to do. A Fractional CMO helps you do it, and makes it work. That means setting strategy, leading execution, managing performance, and mentoring your team along the way. This is the way I prefer to work.

Do you work with small businesses?

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Yes. I work with SMEs across Sussex, the South East, and London, providing scalable project-based or part-time leadership. Whether you need a one-off marketing reset or ongoing direction, I tailor support to your stage of growth.

What types of businesses benefit from a Fractional CMO?

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Fractional CMOs are ideal for growing businesses, typically with turnover between £2m and £50m, that need experienced marketing leadership but don’t yet need (or want) a full-time hire.

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I work with:

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• B2B and professional services firms

• Technology and SaaS companies

• Marketing and creative agencies

• Manufacturing, engineering, and industrial brands

• Retail and ecommerce businesses

When should a business hire a Fractional CMO?

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You might need one if:

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• Marketing feels busy but lacks direction

• Sales and marketing are misaligned

• You’re scaling or entering a new market

• You’ve outgrown your agency or need a reset

• You’re not sure what’s working (or why)

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A fractional CMO helps you focus, simplify, and regain momentum.

What kind of results can I expect?

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Results vary by project, but most clients see:

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• Clear strategy tied to commercial goals

• Improved marketing ROI

• Better collaboration between teams and agencies

• Sustainable systems that keep performance on track

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Every engagement starts with defined outcomes and measurable KPIs.

How does fractional marketing support work in practice?

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You get a senior marketing director, part-time. Typically, that means:

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• 1-2 days per week on-site or remote

• Regular strategy and review sessions

• Hands-on oversight of agencies, reporting, and spend

• Guidance for your team on priorities and performance

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It’s flexible, cost-effective, and designed to create structure and confidence in your marketing.

What services do you offer?

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I offer quick-win, one-off Strategic Marketing Accelerators, plus ongoing marketing support and leadership as a Fractional CMO:

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• Fresh Start - a strategic reset and marketing audit

• Smart Spend - a budget review and ROI improvement

• Traction Plan - a 6-12 month growth roadmap

• Fractional CMO / Interim Marketing Director - ongoing senior marketing leadership

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Each one can be tailored to your business needs and team structure.

How much does a Fractional CMO cost?

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My pricing depends on the level of support, the number of days per month, and the length of engagement. I offer three tiers of support:

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• Short-term strategic projects (2-3 months) - For businesses needing a fast reset around positioning, strategy, audits, campaign launch, or fixing misalignment.

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• Medium-term engagements (4-6 months) - Ideal for building momentum, improving agency performance, improving pipeline quality, launching a new product, or delivering a roadmap.

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• Long-term fractional CMO support (9+ months) - This model gives the best value and the strongest strategic impact with typically 1-4 days per week work covering everything required.

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Most businesses working with me on a fractional basis (around 2 days per week) invest between £6,000 and £9,000 per month.

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This is significantly more cost-effective than hiring a full-time Marketing Director (£95k-£150k fully-loaded cost), while still giving you senior marketing leadership embedded in your business.

Is hiring a Fractional CMO worth it?

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Yes - if you need clarity and direction more than headcount.

 

It’s a cost-effective way to gain senior expertise without the full-time overhead.

Can you work with our existing marketing agency or team?

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Absolutely. I often act as the link between leadership and delivery, helping agencies and in-house teams stay focused, aligned, and accountable.

The goal isn’t to replace your partners, but to make them work better together.

Do you only work in Sussex?

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I’m based in West Sussex, but work with clients across East Sussex, Surrey, London, the South East, and beyond.

 

Many clients prefer a local marketing consultant who understands the regional business landscape, but I also work remotely with national and international teams.

What industries do you specialise in?

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My background spans over 20 years across:

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• B2B marketing

• Agencies and consultancies

• Professional and business services

• Technology / SaaS

• Manufacturing and industrial

• Retail and ecommerce

How quickly can you start?

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I can usually start new engagements within 2-4 weeks, depending on project size, length of commitment, and existing client work.

 

Short audits or resets can begin faster; ongoing fractional roles often start with a discovery call and proposal.

Is there a minimum commitment?

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For Strategic Marketing Accelerators - no.

 

For Fractional CMO services or interim marketing leadership, a 3-month initial minimum term is recommended to establish rhythm and deliver meaningful results.

How do we get started?

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It starts with a conversation. You can book a free consultation to discuss:

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• What’s working (and what’s not)

• Where your marketing could improve

• How fractional or project-based support could help

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👉 Email huw@tight-lines.co.uk