Fractional CMO FAQs

Fractional CMO FAQs: Everything You Wanted to Ask (But Didn’t Know How)

Not sure what a Fractional CMO actually does—or whether your business needs one? You’re not alone. Across Australia and New Zealand, more business owners are hearing the term and wondering: Is this what my business has been missing?

At Dash Social, we get asked about Fractional CMO services every week—so we’ve compiled this no-fluff guide to answer your top questions.

What is a Fractional CMO?

A Fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) is a part-time or contract-based senior marketing leader who brings strategic marketing expertise to your business without the full-time commitment.

They’re responsible for:

• Developing and leading your marketing strategy
  
• Aligning marketing with business goals
  
• Mentoring in-house teams or managing contractors
  
• Driving measurable growth and brand visibility
  

How is a Fractional CMO different from a marketing consultant or agency?

Great question.

Consultant	Provides advice or a roadmap	Short-term, project-based
Agency	Delivers campaigns and creative	Execution-focused
Fractional CMO	Leads strategy, guides implementation, reports results	Ongoing strategic leadership

Think of a Fractional CMO as your in-house marketing executive—without the in-house cost.

What types of businesses benefit most from a Fractional CMO?

We typically work with:

• Growing SMEs that want strategic direction
  
• Startups ready to scale but not yet ready to hire a full-time exec
  
• Established businesses with underperforming marketing
  
• Not-for-profits and councils needing leadership on a tight budget
  

Whether you're in Logan, Sydney, Wellington or Christchurch—a Fractional CMO offers flexibility and expertise.

How much does a Fractional CMO cost in Australia or NZ?

Our project-based pricing is fully customised to your needs and goals.

Rather than charging hourly, our Fractional CMO service is structured as a strategic partnership—you get access to a senior marketing leader and a team of specialists (copywriters, SEO experts, content creators, designers, media buyers, and more).

The best part?
It’s often more affordable than hiring one full-time marketing manager—and delivers far more capability.

What results can I expect?

A great Fractional CMO should:

• Clarify your messaging and brand position
  
• Develop a clear marketing roadmap
  
• Improve campaign ROI and lead quality
  
• Build internal capability (or manage external agencies)
  
• Help you hit revenue and growth targets faster
  

What industries do Fractional CMOs work in?

At Dash Social, our expert panel has experience in:

• Professional services (law, finance, consultancy)
  
• Health, wellness and NDIS
  
• Education and training
  
• Retail and eCommerce
  
• Local councils and economic development
  

Every strategy is tailored to suit your industry, audience, and goals.

Can a Fractional CMO work with my existing team or agency?

Absolutely. We don’t replace your team—we enhance it. Fractional CMOs often act as the bridge between business owners, internal staff, and external contractors or agencies.

How do I know it’s the right time to hire a Fractional CMO?

✅ You’re investing in marketing but not seeing results
✅ You have a team, but no one leading strategy
✅ You’re launching a new product or scaling up
✅ You’re ready to grow but don’t want to over-hire

If you nodded at any of these, it’s worth having a conversation.

Still Got Questions? Let’s Chat.

At Dash Social, we offer flexible, expert-led Fractional CMO services that support businesses in Australia and New Zealand to scale sustainably—without the overhead.

Reach out for a Discovery Call and get your questions answered by the experts.