Frequently Asked Questions About Marketing
Got questions about marketing? We’ve got answers! Take a look below to learn more about how our marketing and Fractional CMO services can help you grow your business.
What is a fractional CMO?
A fractional CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) is a part-time marketing executive who provides high-level strategic leadership and expertise without the full-time commitment and cost.
What does a fractional CMO do?
Services include strategic planning, branding, digital marketing, lead generation, customer research, market analysis, and campaign management.
How can a fractional CMO benefit my business?
A fractional CMO brings extensive marketing experience and strategic insight at a fraction of the cost of a full-time CMO, helping your business develop and implement effective marketing strategies, improve lead generation, and drive growth. A fractional CMO offers outside perspective, objectivity, fresh ideas, and the flexibility to support both long-term and short-term projects.
Should I hire a fractional CMO?
Fractional CMOs are ideal for startups, small to mid-sized companies, private equity/venture capital-backed companies, and any business looking to scale quickly without the overhead or long-term commitment of a full-time executive.
How does the hiring process for a fractional CMO work?
We engage in deep-dive conversations with our clients to match them with the fCMO best suited for their needs. Then we handpick candidates well-positioned to meet those needs for you to meet and interview. You may also ask for a proposal from the candidates to review a work sample.
What is the typical engagement duration for a fractional CMO?
Engagements can vary based on your needs, ranging from a few months to ongoing part-time support. We offer flexible arrangements to suit your specific requirements.
Can a fractional CMO transition to a full-time role?
Yes, many of our fractional CMOs can transition to a full-time role if the need arises and both parties agree.
How do fractional CMOs integrate with existing teams?
Fractional CMOs seamlessly integrate with your leadership and marketing teams, participating in key meetings, collaborating on strategy, and providing hands-on support. Because our fCMOs are so extensively vetted and trusted, they have the freedom to run their marketing departments as they see fit. We don’t require them to use cookie-cutter strategies because you deserve a tailored approach.
How much does a fractional CMO cost?
Costs vary depending on the scope and duration of the engagement. Fractional CMOs offer a cost-effective solution, providing high-level expertise at a fraction of the cost of a full-time executive.
What industries do your fractional CMOs have experience in?
Our fractional CMOs have diverse industry experience, including SaaS, technology, healthcare, finance, consumer goods, and more. Every &Marketing fCMO has 15+ years of marketing experience, have run a marketing department in a thriving company, and served as a consultant, agency owner, or advisor.
What is the Fractional CMO Community?
The Fractional CMO Community is a network of high-level marketing professionals who collaborate, share resources, and support each other in achieving their professional goals while helping businesses grow.
How does &Marketing support the fractional CMOs and clients?
&Marketing provides ongoing support, resources, business development, and coaching to both our fractional CMOs and clients, ensuring successful engagements and outcomes.
Can I get a consultation before hiring a fractional CMO?
Yes, we offer initial consultations to discuss your business needs and determine if a fractional CMO is the right fit for your organization.
What makes &Marketing different from other marketing firms?
&Marketing specializes in providing high-level fractional CMOs with extensive real-world experience, a proven track record of results, flexible engagement options, and a strong support network to drive strategic growth for businesses. Because our fCMO bench offers a variety of backgrounds and expertise, it’s easy to find the right fit. We also facilitate onboarding to ensure seamless integration into your team. Our fCMOs don’t use a templated approach. Instead, they tailor their strategies to your needs to help you achieve your most critical business goals.
What types of marketing services do you offer?
We offer a wide range of marketing services including strategic planning, digital marketing, content creation, website user experience optimization, branding, social media management, SEO, PPC, email marketing, market research and analytics, and lead generation.
What industries do you specialize in?
We have experience across various industries such as technology, SaaS, healthcare, finance, consumer goods, and more.
How do you determine the right marketing strategy for my business?
We conduct a thorough assessment of your business goals, target audience, competitive landscape, and current marketing efforts to develop a tailored strategy that meets your specific needs.
Do you provide marketing leadership or project managers?
Yes, we can provide experienced Fractional Chief Marketing Officers to guide your strategy and ensure it is aligned with your business goals, alongside project managers to oversee your marketing initiatives and supported by experienced specialists who can execute effectively. A fractional CMO is a part-time marketing executive who provides high-level strategic leadership and expertise without the full-time commitment and cost. They can help develop and implement effective marketing strategies to drive growth and improve ROI. You can choose the right combination of expertise for your needs.
How do you measure the success of your marketing campaigns?
We use key performance indicators (KPIs) such as lead generation, conversion rates, website traffic, engagement metrics, and ROI to measure the success of our marketing campaigns. We take these data points a step further to understand the overall story told, supporting our partners with clear insights and recommendations for next steps.
How does your pricing structure work?
Our pricing is tailored to the scope and complexity of your project. We offer flexible engagement options including project-based, retainer, and hourly rates to fit your budget and needs.
What makes &Marketing different from other marketing agencies?
We provide customized marketing solutions with a focus on strategic growth. Our team consists of experienced professionals who offer hands-on support and strategic guidance. Additionally, our Fractional CMO services provide high-level expertise at a fraction of the cost of a full-time executive, offering a tailored approach and a simple yet effective matching process that puts you in the driver’s seat.
Do you offer long-term marketing support?
Yes, we offer ongoing marketing support through retainer agreements or long-term engagements to ensure continuous improvement and sustained growth for your business.
Can you help with branding and rebranding efforts?
Absolutely. We offer comprehensive branding and rebranding services including brand strategy, identity development, messaging, and positioning to help you build a strong and cohesive brand.
What’s your approach to lead generation?
&Marketing’s Lead Generation Framework encompasses 5 key components of inbound and outbound B2B lead generation, driven by value-added content creation, targeted distribution, and consistent measurement:
Identify your ideal target audience.
Develop marketing tactics focused on your target audience’s pain points, needs, and interests to drive initial engagement and interactions with your business.
After your audience engages with initial tactics, continue to educate and motivate these prospects “down the funnel” with valuable content.
Create compelling and customizable offers and calls to action to convert targeted audiences.
Measure and optimize throughout the process to best engage with and provide value to your audiences.
Identify your ideal target audience.
Develop marketing tactics focused on your target audience’s pain points, needs, and interests to drive initial engagement and interactions with your business.
After your audience engages with initial tactics, continue to educate and motivate these prospects “down the funnel” with valuable content.
Create compelling and customizable offers and calls to action to convert targeted audiences.
Measure and optimize throughout the process to best engage with and provide value to your audiences.
What’s your approach to storytelling and content marketing?
Our approach is analytically grounded and thoughtfully executed to drive growth by integrating these three core areas into a cohesive plan:
Developing a clear marketing strategy, messaging, and value proposition
Rigorous research, analytics & reporting
Powerful storytelling
Developing a clear marketing strategy, messaging, and value proposition
Rigorous research, analytics & reporting
Powerful storytelling
How do you integrate with our existing marketing team?
We work collaboratively with your existing marketing team, providing strategic guidance, filling skill gaps, and enhancing overall marketing efforts. Our goal is to seamlessly integrate and complement your team’s strengths. We believe in full transparency, flexibility, and we want to grow with our partners.
Do you provide marketing services for startups?
Yes, we have extensive experience working with startups and can help you develop and execute a go-to-market strategy, build brand awareness, and drive initial customer acquisition.
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest marketing trends?
Each member of our team is passionate about continuously monitoring industry trends, attending relevant conferences and training sessions, and using the latest tools and technologies to ensure we provide cutting-edge solutions for our clients. Our entire team is engaged in understanding the most advantageous and ethical ways to use AI to provide our partners with the most value, constantly running tests and expanding our knowledge to clearly define its strengths and weaknesses.
Can you help us with market research and analysis?
Yes, we offer comprehensive market research and analysis services to help you understand your target audience, identify market opportunities, and make data-driven decisions.
Do you have experience creating a Customer Advisory Council?
Yes, we have a wealth of knowledge in developing and facilitating Customer Advisory Councils with executives across industries. With the right approach, a well-executed Advisory Council offers valuable insight into a company’s culture, improving personal relationships and intimacy.
How quickly can you start working on our project?
We strive to start projects as soon as possible. After an initial consultation to understand your needs, we can typically begin within a few weeks, depending on the project’s complexity and scope.
What kind of results can we expect from your marketing services?
While results can vary based on your specific goals and industry, our clients typically see improvements in lead generation, brand awareness, engagement, conversion rates, and overall ROI.
Can you provide examples of your past work or case studies?
Yes, we have a portfolio of case studies and client success stories that demonstrate our expertise and the results we have achieved for other businesses. We are happy to share these during our initial consultation.
What is the process for starting a project with &Marketing?
The process begins with an initial consultation to discuss your goals and challenges. We then develop a customized proposal outlining our recommended strategy, services, and pricing. Once approved, we kick off the project with a detailed plan and timeline.
How do you ensure the quality and consistency of your work?
We follow a rigorous project management process and employ quality control measures at every stage of the project. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality work that meets your standards and achieves your objectives.
Why does &Marketing run on EOS?
EOS, or the Entrepreneurial Operating System, offers simple and practical tools to help us operate efficiently and effectively for our partners. The EOS Model helps us stay focused on our goals, streamline strategic planning, and improve communication and collaboration with total transparency.
What is the & about?
The “&” in &Marketing symbolizes the partnership we strive to build with our client’s organization. Yes, we bring marketing expertise, but we don’t make outlandish claims to ”dominate the market” or “10x your sales.” That level of hyperbole is impossible to attain without first understanding core business challenges and building a sound strategy and execution plan within the context of your industry and your company.
What partnerships do you have in place?
&Marketing’s network of highly trusted partners help our clients address their most complex business challenges. Our partners include:
SIVO Insights for consumer, organizational, and market research
Social Sales Link for converting connections to conversations through the power of LinkedIn
PI Midlantic to break the cycle of unhappiness in the workplace through data
Rhino Reviews to help grow your business by managing your online reputation
Lamprey Systems for transportation solutions from small parcel to freight
SIVO Insights for consumer, organizational, and market research
Social Sales Link for converting connections to conversations through the power of LinkedIn
PI Midlantic to break the cycle of unhappiness in the workplace through data
Rhino Reviews to help grow your business by managing your online reputation
Lamprey Systems for transportation solutions from small parcel to freight
Do you have a referral network and how does it work?
Yes, we offer referral services to connect our clients with trusted vendors who can meet their specific needs. Our referral process involves the following steps:
Form Submission: The client fills out a Referral Pricing Request Form.
Record Creation: Contact and Company records are automatically created in HubSpot.
Summary Creation: We create a summary of the client request based on the form submission.
Vendor Recommendation: Our Digital QB reviews the summary and recommends suitable vendors.
Introduction: We send an introductory email connecting the client with the recommended vendor.
Follow-Ups: We follow up to ensure the connection leads to a successful deal.
Deal Tracking: The deal is tracked in HubSpot, and we monitor its progress to completion.
Form Submission: The client fills out a Referral Pricing Request Form.
Record Creation: Contact and Company records are automatically created in HubSpot.
Summary Creation: We create a summary of the client request based on the form submission.
Vendor Recommendation: Our Digital QB reviews the summary and recommends suitable vendors.
Introduction: We send an introductory email connecting the client with the recommended vendor.
Follow-Ups: We follow up to ensure the connection leads to a successful deal.
Deal Tracking: The deal is tracked in HubSpot, and we monitor its progress to completion.
What types of services can you refer me to?
We can refer you to vendors for a variety of services, including but not limited to:
Digital Advertising
SEO Services
Reputation Management
Content Creation
Web Development
Digital Advertising
SEO Services
Reputation Management
Content Creation
Web Development
How do you vet your vendors?
Our vendors are vetted by our Digital QB, who evaluates their sample work, bandwidth, and overall suitability for our clients’ needs. Only approved vendors are recommended to clients.
What if I have a limited budget?
We work with clients to find vendors that fit within their budget while still meeting their needs. We can recommend cost-effective solutions and manage the referral process to ensure value for money.
How do I get started with the referral program?
To get started, simply fill out our Referral Pricing Request Form. Our team will take it from there, ensuring you are connected with the best vendors to address your needs.
Who do I contact if I have questions about the referral process?
For any questions about our referral process, please contact Andrea at andrea@and-marketing.com. She will be happy to assist you with any inquiries.
