Pricing
The number most fractional CMO firms won't publish.
We post our pricing because the right client has already decided they need senior marketing leadership. The question is fit — not price.
Advisory
2–4 days/month
Best for $5M–$15M — first marketing strategy, no team yet
Senior strategic guidance without full operating involvement. The CMO reviews your strategy, joins leadership calls, and points the team in the right direction. Execution stays with you.
- Monthly strategy session with the CEO
- ICP and positioning review
- Quarterly growth plan (written)
- On-call availability for key decisions
- Scorecard review monthly
Operating
6–10 days/month
Best for $10M–$40M — you need a CMO in the seat, not just advice
A full fractional CMO operating role. The CMO runs the marketing function, co-owns the growth number, leads the team weekly, and is accountable to the board.
- Weekly team operating cadence
- Monthly scorecard — revenue-tied metrics
- Agency and vendor management
- Hiring and org design
- Quarterly planning with CEO and sales lead
- Board-ready growth reporting
- 90-day minimum, monthly after
Enterprise Fractional
10–15 days/month
Best for $40M–$100M — complex org, PE-backed, or pre-exit
For companies where CMO-level judgment is needed at near full-time intensity. Multi-product lines, PE portfolio companies, or large marketing teams needing executive management.
- Everything in Operating
- Large team management (6+ headcount)
- PE operating partner reporting
- M&A and integration marketing support
- Investor narrative and fundraise support
- Full-time CMO search and transition support
All engagements include a 90-day minimum. Monthly after that with 30 days notice.
Cost comparison
Fractional CMO vs full-time CMO vs agency
| Fractional CMO | Full-Time CMO | Agency | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-year cost | $120K–$240K/year | $300K–$480K/year | $180K–$480K/year |
| Recruiting fee | None | $40K–$70K | None |
| Equity cost | None | 0.25%–1.0% dilution | None |
| Time to operating | Week 1 | 60–90 days | Week 1 |
| Strategic ownership | Yes — co-owns the number | Yes | No — executes the brief |
| Board accountability | Yes | Yes | No |
| Risk if wrong fit | Low — 90-day exit | High — separation costs | Medium — contract terms |
Pricing FAQ
Questions CEOs ask before they book the call
- Do you charge hourly or by the day?
- By monthly retainer tied to a day commitment. No hourly rates and no surprise invoices. If scope grows, we renegotiate the retainer.
- What is included in the 90-day minimum?
- Days 1–30: diagnosis. Days 31–60: strategy and infrastructure. Days 61–90: operating with accountability. You will have a working scorecard, positioning document, and growth plan by end of month three.
- Can I start at Advisory and move to Operating?
- Yes. Many engagements start Advisory to validate fit, then move to Operating once the strategy is clear.
- Does the price include a marketing budget?
- No. The retainer covers CMO time and leadership. Marketing spend is a separate budget your company owns and approves.
- Do you work with more than one client at a time?
- Yes — typically 3 to 5 active engagements. We never take two clients in the same niche or competitive set.
No obligation
45 minutes. We tell you what we see. You decide.
If CMO Grow is not the right fit, we will tell you and point you to a better option.