Explore every episode of the podcast CMO School

Ever had a moment as a marketer where you thought, I hate marketing? You’re not alone. I’ve been there - more than once. But every single time, it wasn’t marketing itself that I hated - it was the wrong job, wrong boss, or doing work that didn’t align with what I loved.

In this episode, I’m joined by my longtime friend, Jessica Turner, who started her career in marketing with me but ultimately took a different path, stepping into product strategy. She’s seen my entire evolution — from fresh-out-of-university marketer to Fractional CMO — and today, she’s helping me break down the biggest reasons marketers feel stuck, how to tell if you’re in the wrong role, and how to pivot into work that actually excites you.

If you’re feeling burned out, uninspired, or questioning your career, this episode will help you figure out what’s really going on—and what to do about it.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

Start or scale as a Fractional CMO → https://fractional-cmo-school.com

What actually happens in the first 90 days when a Fractional CMO steps into a business? Where should the focus be? How do you know if it’s working? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my exact process—from the deep-dive audit that reveals hidden opportunities to the quick wins that drive immediate results, to building a marketing strategy that sets the foundation for long-term growth. Whether you're hiring a Fractional CMO or stepping into the role yourself, this episode breaks down what to expect, what matters most in those first 90 days, and how to ensure you’re making an impact fast.

• Fractional CMO School - Fractional CMO School is a six-month coaching program + community designed to help you launch your business, attract dream clients, and build the business you've always dreamed of.
• Find me on LinkedIn
• Find me on Instagram
• Strategic Marketer Assessment - Unlock access to my free self-assessment for marketers who are juggling too much and want to work less while earning more. Uncover your strengths, identify where you're undervaluing yourself, and take actionable steps to maximize your income – without adding more to your plate.
• Fractional CMO Business Start Up Guide - Unlock instant access to Your Fractional CMO Business Start-Up Guide + unlock the EXACT steps you need to start and grow your own Fractional CMO business – starting today.

The term Fractional CMO is everywhere right now, but let’s be real—most people have no idea what it actually means. If you’ve been wondering, Is this just a fancy name for a marketing consultant? Do they run my ads? Why would I hire one instead of a full-time CMO?—this episode is for you.

I’m breaking down exactly what a Fractional CMO does, what they don’t do, and why so many businesses hire one for the wrong reasons. We’ll talk about when you actually need a Fractional CMO, how they fit into your business, and how to spot the difference between a true strategic leader and someone just slapping the title on their LinkedIn profile.

If you’re a business owner thinking about hiring one - or a marketer wondering if this could be your next career move - this episode is your roadmap.

• Fractional CMO School - Fractional CMO School is a six-month coaching program + community designed to help you launch your business, attract dream clients, and build the business you've always dreamed of.
• Find me on LinkedIn
• Find me on Instagram
• Strategic Marketer Assessment - Unlock access to my free self-assessment for marketers who are juggling too much and want to work less while earning more. Uncover your strengths, identify where you're undervaluing yourself, and take actionable steps to maximize your income – without adding more to your plate.
• Fractional CMO Business Start Up Guide - Unlock instant access to Your Fractional CMO Business Start-Up Guide + unlock the EXACT steps you need to start and grow your own Fractional CMO business – starting today.

Welcome to CMO School, the go-to podcast for marketers who are ready to level up. I’m Jess Shirra, a Fractional CMO, marketing strategist, and founder of Fractional CMO School. After 15+ years leading marketing for brands like Lululemon, Pottery Barn, Strava, Jenna Kutcher, and Lori Harder, I’m here to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to drive growth, lead strategy, and step into your next chapter.

Expect expert insights, real talk about what works (and what doesn’t), and actionable strategies to help you think like a CMO—whether you’re climbing the ladder or building your own Fractional CMO business. This is the CMO School podcast.

• Fractional CMO School - Fractional CMO School is a six-month coaching program + community designed to help you launch your business, attract dream clients, and build the business you've always dreamed of.
• Find me on LinkedIn
• Find me on Instagram
• Strategic Marketer Assessment - Unlock access to my free self-assessment for marketers who are juggling too much and want to work less while earning more. Uncover your strengths, identify where you're undervaluing yourself, and take actionable steps to maximize your income – without adding more to your plate.
• Fractional CMO Business Start Up Guide - Unlock instant access to Your Fractional CMO Business Start-Up Guide + unlock the EXACT steps you need to start and grow your own Fractional CMO business – starting today.

Struggling to generate consistent leads as a Fractional CMO? You’re not alone, and this episode is packed with practical strategies that actually work.

Susie Crawford, former Google marketing exec and founder of a multi seven-figure paid ads agency, shares how she built a scalable lead gen system that brings in high-ticket clients without burning out.

We cover:

1. How to combine paid traffic and organic content in a way that feels doable
2. What to prioritize when you don’t have a full-time marketing team
3. The role of personal brand in attracting the right clients
4. How to manage imposter syndrome while growing a high-level business
5. What it really looks like to build marketing systems that last

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to tighten up your current strategy, this episode will help you approach lead generation with more clarity, confidence, and consistency.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently lead, land high-ticket clients, and build the business you want.

🎓 Join the waitlist → Fractional CMO School

What does it actually look like to support a high-level founder as a Fractional CMO or strategic marketing partner?

In this episode, I’m joined by my client Lori Harder, founder of Glōci, host of the podcast Earn Your Happy, and founder of multiple 7-figure brands - for a candid conversation about what high-growth founders need from their marketing leadership.

We’re breaking down what made Lori decide to bring in strategic marketing support, how to build trust (and what breaks it), and what marketers need to understand if they want to work with founders like Lori.

What we covered:

1. How Lori and Chris have structured their marketing team across multiple brands
2. What Lori found most valuable when it comes to working with a Fractional CMO
3. How to build trust with visionary founders (and what quickie breaks it)
4. What we did to launch her new mastermind recently
5. What Lori’s learned from the best (and worst) hires she’s made

Whether you're currently working with personal brands or want to step into higher-level strategic roles, this episode will give you a peek behind the scense of what it really looks like.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently lead, land high-ticket clients, and build the business you want.

🎓 Learn More → https://www.thecmooffice.com/fractional-cmo-school

You don’t need to know everything to be ready for the Fractional CMO role, but you do need to shift how you see yourself and show up.

In this episode, we’re unpacking the real reason so many experienced marketers hesitate to claim the title of Fractional CMO — and it’s not a lack of skills. It’s the belief that they have to be someone else first: more data-driven, more strategic, more “official.”

Here’s what we get into:

• What being “ready” actually looks like
• How to lead confidently, regardless of your background or experience level
• The 3 core traits that matter most in the Fractional CMO role
• What to do when imposter syndrome kicks in
• How to identify your blind spots (and fill them without trying to “fix” yourself)
• The shift from task-doer to strategic partner, and how to start making it today

If you’ve been waiting for someone to tell you you’re ready, this episode is the permission you’ve been looking for.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently lead, land high-ticket clients, and build the business you want.

🎓 Join the waitlist → Fractional CMO School

If you’ve ever held yourself back from posting, pitching, or showing up because you were afraid of being judged, rejected, or just not “ready” - this episode is going to shift something for you.

In this conversation, I’m joined by Maureen Evelyn - content strategist, personal brand coach, and the founder of Maureen’s Marketing. Maureen helps bold entrepreneurs turn their content into clients by building visibility, authority, and trust at scale. She’s known for creating over 100 pieces of content a month (without burning out) - and for helping her clients do the same.

We’ll talk about:

1. What it really looks like to go from freelancer to leader
2. The mindset that’s helped Maureen - and her clients - stop hiding and start growing
3. How to build a personal brand that sells (without feeling salesy)
4. Why she built Rejecto, an app that helps people get more comfortable hearing “no”
5. And the messy, powerful process of stepping into your next-level self - even if it feels scary

Whether you’re a marketer guiding clients through visibility blocks, or a creative who knows you’re meant for more but haven’t fully claimed it yet - this one’s for you.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently lead, land high-ticket clients, and build the business you want.

🎓 Learn More → Fractional CMO School — The CMO Office

Evergreen funnels sound like the dream - automated leads, passive income, a marketing system that runs in the background. But for most businesses, funnels don’t work the way they expect.

So, what separates a funnel that actually converts from one that just burns time and money?

In today’s episode, I sit down with Cheyenne Buttrey, founder of Copygirl.co, to break down what marketers need to know before investing in a funnel.

We’re covering:

1. Who should (and shouldn’t) be using evergreen funnels
2. What most marketers get wrong about funnel strategy
3. The biggest mistakes that kill funnel performance before they even launch
4. What elements make a funnel actually work—and what data marketers should be tracking

If you’ve ever wondered when and how to implement a funnel, this episode will give you the clarity you need.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

I got an email recently that really made me think. It was from someone who turned down an unpaid speaking opportunity within my program, firmly stating that they don’t work for free - and honestly? I respect that. I’ve always been a big advocate for charging what you’re worth.

But here’s the thing…some of the biggest opportunities in my career started as unpaid. Speaking engagements, free power hours, strategic collaborations – when done intentionally – have led to massive payoffs (I’m talking six-figures-from-one-client kind of payoffs).

So in this episode, we’re digging into:

• When it actually makes sense to say yes to an unpaid opportunity
• The questions I ask myself before deciding
• A real story of how one free power hour turned into over $200,000 in revenue from one client 

If you’ve ever wrestled with the “should I do this for free?” debate, this one’s for you. Let’s get into it.

Paid ads can be a game-changer - but only if you know how to hire and manage the right team. As a Fractional CMO or marketing leader, your job isn’t to run ads—it’s to hire and manage an agency that can deliver results for your clients.

In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Spivak, CEO of The Ad Girls, to break down exactly how CMOs can make paid ads work as part of a larger marketing strategy. Jennifer and I have worked together on countless client accounts, and she’s sharing her best insights on how to hire the right agency, manage the relationship, and ensure paid ads actually drive revenue.

We’re covering:

-The biggest mistakes marketers make with paid ads (and how to avoid them)

-How to vet and hire an ad agency for your clients—what to ask, what to look for, and what to avoid

-How to manage and collaborate with an agency as a Fractional CMO to drive better results

-Scaling your business as a marketer or Fractional CMO—Jennifer has built a powerhouse agency, and she’s sharing what it really takes to scale successfully

If you’re a marketer looking to step into CMO-level leadership, knowing how to hire and work with paid ad agencies is a skill you need. And if you’re looking to scale your own business, Jennifer’s insights from building and leading a wildly successful agency are invaluable.

LinkedIn isn’t just a place to park your work history — it’s where your next high-ticket client is scrolling right now. The question is: will they see you as another marketer, or as the strategic leader they’ve been looking for?

In this episode, I’m joined by Mandy McEwen,  LinkedIn pro, founder of Mod Girl Marketing and Lumin, and someone who’s been ahead of the curve on LinkedIn since before it was cool. Mandy shares exactly how Fractional CMOs can:

• Turn their profile into a landing page that actually sells
• Ditch the “pitch slap” and start conversations that feel real
• Post content that builds authority and trust (without getting lost in the noise)
• Use LinkedIn as a true sales channel to consistently fill their pipeline

If you’ve been treating LinkedIn like a resume, or posting and hoping someone notices, this episode will show you a better way.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently lead, land high-ticket clients, and build the business you want

🎓 Learn More → Fractional CMO School

Struggling to land your first clients as a Fractional CMO? You’re not alone -  and this episode will show you exactly how to fix it.

I’m coaching listener Deanna Keffer live on the podcast. After 20 years in corporate marketing, she made the leap into the Fractional CMO world and immediately ran into the same roadblock so many new Fractionals face: how do I actually get clients?

Inside this episode you’ll learn:

• Why applying for jobs won’t get you Fractional CMO clients (and what to do instead)
• How to position yourself so people take you seriously and your online presence actually sells your expertise
• The exact outreach strategy I used to land my first clients — and how you can copy it
• What boundaries to set early so you don’t slide back into execution or burn out in your new role

If you’re looking to land your first (or next) Fractional CMO clients, this episode will give you the exact steps you need to take.

And if you don’t want to figure it out on your own?

That’s exactly why I created Fractional CMO School. It’s my 6-month coaching program + community where you’ll get the playbook, the support, and the push you need to confidently step into the Fractional CMO role and start signing high-ticket clients.

🎓 Learn More → Fractional CMO School

Email templates: Fractional CMO Sales Email Templates — The CMO Office

Meet Andy Kriebel. He’s a Tableau Visionary (aka one of the world’s top data visualization experts), a global trainer, and the kind of teacher who’s helped thousands of people grow their careers. But when it came to marketing his own business? He was doing it all himself… and feeling stretched way too thin.

That’s where my team and I came in. Andy joined our Fractional CMO program about six months ago, and since then we’ve been refining his strategy, tightening his focus, and freeing him up to spend more time doing what he does best: teaching.

Inside this episode, you’ll hear Andy’s perspective on what it’s really like to hand off your marketing — the wins, the mindset shifts, and even the surprises. From hitting his biggest launch ever (while raising his average order value by $450 per member!) to nearly doubling last year’s revenue in half the time, Andy shares the behind-the-scenes of what changed once he stopped trying to do it all himself.

If you’ve ever wondered what it could look like to have a marketing partner in your corner, this conversation will show you the before-and-after in real time.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready for a Fractional CMO to step in and lead your marketing, this is what we do. My team and I build the strategy, manage the execution, and make sure your marketing is moving the needle so you can focus on running the business.

🚀 Learn More → Fractional CMO Services

Being a Fractional CMO isn’t just about building campaigns or hitting KPIs - it’s about leadership.

And leadership means you own it all: the wins, the flops, and even the moments that technically weren’t your fault.

In this episode we’re digging into:

1. What radical responsibility actually looks like in a leadership role
2. How to handle the pressure of total accountability (without burning out)
3. Why it’s just as important to own the wins as it is the losses
4. Practical strategies for leading through mistakes, pivots, and high-pressure moments

If you’re ready to move from “marketer who executes” to the kind of CMO clients fully trust, this episode is for you.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently lead, land high-ticket clients, and build the business you want.

🎓 Learn More → Fractional CMO School

Many marketers are still sending traffic to landing pages and wondering why conversions are low - when tools like ManyChat are delivering opt-in rates as high as 90%.

In this episode, I’m joined by Madi Beumee, a social media strategist and growth expert who helps online business owners grow with confidence using viral content, community engagement, and automation that actually converts.

We’re breaking down how and where to use ManyChat in your 2025 strategy - whether for your own business or your clients’ - and why ignoring this tool might be costing you more than you think.

We cover:

1. Where ManyChat fits in a smart marketing strategy this year
2. Why it's often outperforming landing pages and email
3. How to use it without sounding spammy or robotic
4. The biggest mistakes marketers make - and how to avoid them
5. Tips for making ManyChat work in 2025

If you’re looking to generate more leads, increase conversions, and create a better experience for your audience - this one’s for you.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently lead, land high-ticket clients, and build the business you want.

🎓 Learn More → Fractional CMO School

This week’s episode is a behind-the-scenes case study with my client, Erin Stetzer — founder of Erin Stetzer Homes, a Houston-based luxury custom home building company. Erin has been in the industry for over 25 years and is known for her high-end builds, flawless client experience, and legacy projects.

Over the past year, she’s expanded beyond building into homeowner representation, digital products, and coaching other industry professionals. In this episode, Erin shares why she decided to bring on a Fractional CMO, what it’s been like working with our full marketing team, and the results she’s seen in her first six months — from cutting $15K in tech costs to generating over $620K in revenue, including a $130K launch in just five days.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to step into this kind of partnership, you’ll get an honest client perspective on the wins, lessons, and real impact of having a marketing team fully in your corner.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready for a Fractional CMO to step in and lead your marketing, this is what we do. My team and I build the strategy, manage the execution, and make sure your marketing is moving the needle so you can focus on running the business.

🚀 Learn More → Fractional CMO Services

When Abby left her agency leadership role, she was excited but nervous about stepping into the Fractional CMO world. “I’d done all the things in marketing,” she says, “but I’d never combined them with going out and selling myself.”

Fractional CMO School gave her the framework, tools, and confidence to launch fast, and within her first year, she was fully booked, landing every client through referrals or her website without a single cold pitch or social post.

“I truly mean it when I say I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for you and this course,” said Abby.

This is the story of how she did it, and what she learned along the way.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently lead, land high-ticket clients, and build the business you want.

🎓 Learn more → Fractional CMO School

Email is still one of the most powerful revenue drivers in a smart marketing strategy - but most marketers aren’t using it to its full potential.

In this episode, I’m joined by Emily Claire, founder of The 10K Email Club and copywriter behind top-performing email campaigns for brands like Clue. She’s on a mission to help business owners write emails that convert without sounding like a sales robot.

We’re digging into what marketers and Fractional CMOs need to know about leading strong email strategy in 2025, including:

1. How to write emails people actually want to open and read
2. What to prioritize when building or optimizing a client’s email program
3. Why most newsletters fall flat and how to fix them
4. What metrics matter now (and what to ignore)
5. How to collaborate effectively with copywriters as the strategic lead

If you're ready to take email seriously this year, either for yourself or for your clients, his episode will help you do it smarter, faster, and with way more confidence.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently lead, land high-ticket clients, and build the business you want.

🎓 Join the waitlist → Fractional CMO School

If you’ve ever wondered if you’ve got the right experience to be a Fractional CMO, this episode’s for you.

I’m breaking down why there’s no “perfect” background for this kind of work — and why that’s actually the best news. Whether you’ve been in one industry or role your whole career, or jumped around, , you’ve built skill sets that uniquely prepare you for this role.

In this episode, I share what kind of experience you really need in this role, how to position your background as your superpower, and how to start leading with the confidence of a CMO.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/ 

Not every client is a fit for a Fractional CMO — and the wrong ones can derail your business, your confidence, and your sanity.

When you’re building your Fractional CMO business, it’s easy to say yes to anyone who wants to hire you. But fit matters more than opportunity. The right clients make your work easier, your results stronger, and your business more sustainable.

In this episode, I’m breaking down:

• How to identify your ideal clients as a Fractional CMO
• The red flags that signal a partnership won’t work
• The hard lessons I learned from saying yes when I shouldn’t have
• And the filters I now use to choose clients wisely

If you want to attract clients who truly value your leadership, and build a business that feels as good as it looks, this episode is for you.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/ 

When I first started as a Fractional CMO, I did not want to niche. I was scared it would limit my opportunities, make me miss out on clients, or box me into something I’d get bored of. But the truth is — niching was such a catalyst to my growth. 

In this episode, I’m sharing:

• What happened when I tried to serve everyone
• How I tested different niches behind the scenes 
• Why I eventually chose a niche and how it was the catalyst to growth (AND time freedom) 

If you’re still figuring out your niche — or resisting the idea altogether — this episode will help you see why narrowing your focus might be the best move you can make.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

You can have the best strategy in the world, but if your subconscious isn’t on board, you’ll find yourself spinning in the same patterns.

In this episode of CMO School, I sit down with Mindi Huebner to unpack the identity shifts and subconscious rewiring that allow high-achieving women to grow businesses that feel as good as they look.

We talk about:

• Why strategy alone won’t work if your subconscious is stuck in old patterns
• How to spot the limiting beliefs and identities running your business behind the scenes
• Common conditioning loops like “rest is lazy” or “my worth = my output”
• Small steps you can take today to start rewiring your subconscious and closing the “identity gap”

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” but still not getting where you want to go, this conversation will help you understand why, and what to do differently.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently lead, land high-ticket clients, and build the business you want.

🎓 Learn More → Fractional CMO School

Episode Resources:

• Mindi’s Instagram: mindihuebner.com/IG  
• Mindi’s Subconscious CEO Identity Quiz: mindihuebner.com/ceoquiz
• Mindi’s FREE Identity Alignment Call: mindihuebner.com/id

I get asked all the time how I got started as a Fractional CMO — what background you need, what steps to take, and what I’ve learned along the way.

So today, I’m breaking it all down for you. In this episode I’ll be sharing:

• My career background and how it set me up to become a Fractional CMO
• The misconception I had around my own experience and readiness for this role 
• The early months of trial and error — what I tried, what worked, and what didn’t
• The biggest lessons I learned in that first year
• And ultimately, what led me to create Fractional CMO School and help other marketers build their own thriving businesses as Fractional CMOs

If you’ve been curious about becoming a Fractional CMO, or you’re already in the role and figuring it out as you go, this episode gives you a real behind-the-scenes look at how to get started.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → Fractional CMO School

I talk to so many Fractional CMOs who are exhausted, underpaid, and questioning if they made the right move stepping into this role. That’s exactly why I made this episode.

It’s not you - and it’s not the model. Most people are just running their business in a way that isn’t sustainable. If you’ve been feeling burnt out, like you’re trying to squeeze a full-time job into part-time hours, this one’s for you.

What we cover:

• The biggest mistakes Fractional CMOs make that lead to burnout
• What the role is actually meant to look like
• How the wrong clients can derail your business (even if you’re doing everything else right)
• How to reset if you’re already burnt the f out 

Think of this as a permission slip to stop doing it the hard way. You don’t have to overwork to prove your value. You don’t have to keep saying yes to clients who drain you. And you definitely don’t have to settle for building a business that feels heavier than the one you left. There’s a better way—and I want this episode to show you how to find it.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently lead, land high-ticket clients, and build the business you want.

🎓 Learn More → Fractional CMO School

AI is moving so fast it’s hard to keep up. Some days it’s magic, other days it’s chaos. ChatGPT forgets what you told it three prompts ago. It starts using formatting you hate. It spits out content that feels flat or off-brand. Or worse — it makes stuff up and says it with confidence.

This episode is about going beyond “just using AI” — and learning how to make it a tool that makes you sharper, faster, and more strategic… while delivering work that genuinely moves the needle for your clients.

Jim Carter III is the AI strategist and tech founder behind some of the biggest personal brands in the world — Lewis Howes, Jay Shetty, Ed Mylett, Matthew Hussey, Jay Abraham, and Gary Vee — plus he’s worked with global companies like Verizon, Yahoo!, and AT&T. Jim doesn’t just “use AI” — he builds it into the way businesses run so it’s producing consistent, high-value results.

In this episode we cover:

• How to get AI to produce high-quality work on the first try — without endless back-and-forth or rewrites.
• How to set up Custom GPTs and projects — and when each approach gives you the best results.
• Advanced ways to use AI for strategy work — not just content creation.
• The biggest mistakes even experienced marketers make with AI (and how to avoid them).
• Where AI is headed in the next 12–18 months so you can stay ahead of the curve

If you already see the value of AI but want to start using it at a level most marketers aren’t even touching yet, this episode is for you.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/ 

If you’ve been curious about what actually happens inside Fractional CMO School — the structure, the support, the strategy, and how marketers and fractional CMOs are scaling to six figures and beyond — this video gives you the full inside tour.

I’m sharing the real story behind the program, why I created it, what makes it different, and what students are experiencing once they get inside. If you’ve wondered whether becoming a Fractional CMO is right for you — or you want a clearer, more sustainable way to lead as a marketer — this will give you a clear picture of what’s possible.

Inside this episode:

• How I went from burnt-out marketer to six-figure Fractional CMO

• The gap I saw in this industry and why Fractional CMO School exists

• A behind-the-scenes look at the 6-month structure, coaching + support

• The real transformations students are seeing (income + identity shifts)

• What the fractional CMO role can unlock in your work, income, and life

Whether you’re an experienced marketer who’s ready to move out of execution and into leadership — or you’re already a Fractional CMO and want a better way to build your business — this episode will help you understand whether this path is right for you.

____

If you’ve been curious about Fractional CMO School and want to learn more, this is your chance to peek behind the curtains.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Welcome to Fractional CMO School

01:30 Why I Built This Program

05:00 Discovering the Fractional CMO Model

08:30 Why Most Programs Miss the Mark

12:00 What Makes Fractional CMO School Different

16:00 Learn to Think Like a CMO

19:00 Daily Coaching & Community Support

22:30 Inside the Program Structure

26:00 The Course, Templates & Frameworks

31:00 Live Coaching & Expert Training

35:00 Real Student Success Stories

40:30 Who This Program Is For

43:30 Who It's NOT For

45:00 The Biggest Mindset Shift You'll Make

46:00 Ready to Become a Fractional CMO?

You can do everything “right” — build the strategy, put in the hours, chase the next level — and still feel stuck. Like there’s something invisible holding you back from the growth you know you’re capable of.

I’ve been there. And what I learned is this: it’s not your strategy. It’s your subconscious.

When I started working with Jess Belsky, a Transformational Leadership Coach and Hypnotherapist, I thought I was fixing my money mindset. But the real shift came when I started rewiring my subconcious beliefs — the ones that were shaping how I led, what I earned, and how I showed up in my life and business.

In this episode, we unpack:

• How subconscious patterns keep high-performing leaders from reaching their next level
• The exact inner work that changed how I think, lead, and run my business (and life)
• What it looks like to reprogram your beliefs so your conscious and subconscious are aligned

If you’ve been pushing harder but not getting further, this episode will help you see what’s really been in your way — and how to finally lead from the inside out.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Why Success Starts with Self-Worth

02:00 Meet Jess Belsky

05:30 The Money Mindset Session That Changed My Life

12:40 Why Inner Work Isn't Just About Business

16:20 Awareness Isn't Enough—You Need Transformation

19:00 The Tax Bill That Changed My Relationship with Money

24:30 Breaking the Burnout Cycle

27:30 What's Really Driving Your Overworking?

31:30 Healthy Self vs. Survivor Self

35:30 Creating Space Between Trigger and Response

40:00 The Real ROI of Inner Work

46:30 Why This Isn't "Woo Woo"

49:30 Conscious Leadership Starts Within

52:00 Knowing It vs. Embodying It

54:00 Where to Start Your Own Inner Work Journey

56:00 Final Reflections

If your Fractional CMO business doesn’t feel like the freedom you wanted, this episode is for you.

So many experienced marketers end up stuck in what I call the Fractional CMO Trap: the place where you’ve technically built a business, but it still feels like a job.

In this episode, I’m breaking down:

• What the Fractional CMO Trap is
• The two doors that usually lead you into it — and how to back yourself out of each one
• How to redesign your business to gives you the freedom (and income) you set to to create
• A simple 30-day reset plan to help you reclaim your time, tighten boundaries, and build a Fractional business that’s sustainable

If you’ve been feeling stretched, stuck, or like you’re constantly proving your value this episode is going to change how you run your business.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 The Fractional CMO Trap

01:45 Door #1: Scope Creep

03:45 Own, Influence & Delegate

06:30 Why Great CMOs Don't Review Everything

08:30 Door #2: Selling Your Time Instead of Your Value

11:15 What Clients Are Actually Paying For

14:30 Your 30-Day Business Reset

15:15 Week 1: Audit Your Time

16:45 Week 2: Reset Client Expectations

18:15 Week 3: Repackage Your Offers

19:45 Week 4: Fine-Tune Your Boundaries

20:45 Build a Business—Not Another Job

If six figures as a Fractional CMO feels out of reach — like something only “top-tier marketers” or “big-name consultants” can do — this episode is going to shift that belief fast. Hitting six figures isn’t a stretch goal in this role. It’s actually the simplest part of the business when you structure it the right way.

In this episode, I break down:

• The biggest mindset blocks keeping marketers underpaid

• Why high-ticket clients are more common than you think

• How scope (not skill) is the reason your pricing feels “too high”

• Three simple paths to six figures — even if you prefer light delivery

• What it actually takes to build a six-figure FCMO business that feels easy

If you’ve been questioning whether this level of income is possible for you, I want this episode to show you just how accessible it really is.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 You Don't Need More Clients to Hit Six Figures

01:10 The Mindset That's Keeping You Underpaid

03:10 How I Went From Corporate to a Million-Dollar Business

06:15 Why Fractional CMOs Earn More Than Marketers

07:50 Stop Charging for Execution

09:00 Where High-Ticket Clients Actually Come From

11:00 The 3 Paths to Six Figures

12:10 Path #1: One Premium Retainer

13:00 Path #2: Low-Touch Advisory Clients

13:45 Path #3: The Hybrid Model

14:45 Build Your Business Like a Fractional CMO

15:45 You Don't Need to Play Small

Why do founder–marketer relationships break down so often — even when everyone has good intentions?

In this episode, I’m joined by Heather Chauvin, leadership coach and longtime founder, to talk honestly about what founders are actually looking for when they hire marketing support — and why marketing can be one of the most emotionally charged hires a business owner makes.

We unpack:

• Why many founders develop trust issues with marketing (and how those experiences shape expectations)
• The hype problem in marketing — and why results are never guaranteed
• What founders really want beyond revenue: to feel seen, heard, and supported
• The “secret ROI” conversations most marketers never ask — and why they matter
• Why energy management, capacity, and boundaries are part of the job
• How strong Fractional CMOs lead as partners, not order-takers or hype machines

If you’re a Fractional CMO or senior marketer, this episode will help you understand what’s really happening underneath founder expectations — and how to lead the relationship with more clarity, confidence, and trust.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Why Founders Feel Let Down by Marketing

01:30 Meet Heather Chauvin

05:30 When Marketing First Became a Business Need

08:20 Why Founders Struggle to Trust Marketing

12:30 What Great Marketing Leadership Looks Like

16:10 The Value of a Fractional CMO

19:20 Results Aren't Guaranteed - And That's Okay

24:10 Marketing Is More Like Diet Culture Than We Admit

27:15 Why Great Marketers Hold Founders Accountable

31:30 Confidence, Boundaries & Human Skills

36:00 The ROI Beyond Revenue

39:45 What Founders Actually Need From Marketing Partners

42:00 Final Advice for Marketers & Founders

If you’re a Fractional CMO and you’ve ever wondered, “What should I be charging?”, this episode is for you.

So many experienced marketers undercharge in this role, and it’s one of the biggest reasons Fractional CMOs feel overworked, underpaid, and burned out.

In this episode, I break down:

• The core mindset shift around pricing that changes how clients perceive your value
• The real pricing ranges Fractional CMOs are charging — and when each range actually makes sense
• The two most common pricing models and which one I recommend
• The six biggest pricing mistakes that keep smart, experienced marketers undercharging — and how to fix them

This conversation is about pricing at different levels of leadership in a way that reflects responsibility, decision-making, and ownership — and supports building a lucrative, sustainable Fractional CMO business where you’re paid appropriately for the role you’re doing.

If you’ve been questioning your rates, feeling stretched thin, or sensing there’s a gap between the work you’re doing and what you’re being paid, this episode will give you the clarity you’ve been looking for.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 The Pricing Mindset Every Fractional CMO Needs

01:10 Stop Charging for Hours

02:10 Why Retainers Create Better Businesses

03:15 What Fractional CMOs Actually Charge 04:10 Advisory Pricing ($2K–$3K)

05:30 The Most Common Burnout Price Range

07:00 Premium Fractional CMO Pricing

08:45 The 6 Pricing Mistakes Keeping You Underpaid

10:15 Why Scope Is More Important Than Price

11:20 Stop Pricing Yourself Like an Employee

12:15 Charge for Leadership, Not Deliverables

If you’re leading marketing in 2025, you can’t afford not to understand AI.

In this episode, I’m joined by Callan Faulkner, AI coach and founder of The Uncommon Business, who built a $4M company in 18 months with four AI-trained employees while working less than 40 hours a week. And here’s what matters: Callan isn’t teaching the surface-level “prompt for a caption” stuff you’ve already seen everywhere. She’s teaching what it actually looks like to become an AI Architect — building systems that give you back your time, protect your creative edge, and raise the quality of your work.

We dig into:

• The shift from AI Offloader to AI Architect, and why it’s the next evolution of marketing leadership
• Why “opening a chat and generating content” is the fastest way to get generic, mediocre output
• The real unlock: documenting your frameworks and “genius” so AI can think like you, not like the internet
• The three projects Callan recommends every Fractional CMO build: a Brand Guardian, a Sales Wizard, and a Money Coach
• How to slow down up front (training systems) so you can move faster every week and reclaim real hours

If you’ve been curious about AI but hesitant to go all-in because you don’t want to lose your voice, this conversation will change how you think about AI, leadership, and what’s possible in your business.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Meet Callan Faulkner & The Future of AI

01:50 Why Most People Are Barely Using AI

05:10 From Burnout to Building a $4M AI Business

09:10 Leaving a Successful Business to Start Again

12:15 The Biggest AI Mistakes Marketers Make

18:40 AI Offloader vs. AI Architect

23:20 How Jess Uses AI to Save Hours Every Week

26:30 Why Most Marketers Are Thinking Too Small

31:30 AI Won't Replace Great Copywriters—It Amplifies Them

34:10 The 3 AI Systems Every Fractional CMO Should Build

39:20 Build Your Brand Guardian

40:50 Create an AI Sales Coach

45:30 The Money Coach That Changes Everything

52:00 The Mindset Shift Behind Higher Pricing

56:00 Why AI Is Really About Better Thinking

57:20 Where to Learn More from Callan

Launches and marketing campaigns are one of the biggest areas, I see Fractional CMOs overstep their boundaries,

It starts with mapping out a campaign or launch…and quickly turns into building timelines, reviewing every asset, sitting in execution meetings, and basically project managing everything.

In this episode of my “What I Do and Don’t Do as a CMO” series, I’m breaking down how I approach campaign and launch planning including:

• The 6 key things I own when planning campaigns or launches
• The difference between strategy and project management
• Where most CMOs overstep during a launch or campaign
• And the filter I use to protect my time and boundaries

If you’ve ever had PTSD from launching or doing marketing campaigns (lol I feel you), this episode will help you reset your boundaries and operate at the CMO level.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Are You Doing Too Much as a Fractional CMO?

00:25 When This Level of Campaign Involvement Applies

01:40 Should You Even Launch in the First Place?

03:15 Build the Strategy Before the Assets

05:30 Connect Every Campaign to One Business Goal

06:50 Set Channel Direction—Not Daily Tasks

11:10 Where the Campaign Budget Should Go

13:20 Monitor Performance Without Pulling the Data

16:50 What I Never Do During a Launch

18:50 The Biggest Mistake Fractional CMOs Make

20:40 The Filter That Protects Your Scope

21:35 Lead the Launch—Don’t Project Manage It

22:10 Step Fully Into the CMO Role

When you don’t know what you should own (and what you shouldn’t) during the hiring process, you end up posting job descriptions, screening resumes, running interviews, onboarding new hires…and quickly turning your fractional role into a full-time job.

In this episode of my series “What I Do and Don’t Do as a CMO,” I’m breaking down how I handle hiring for clients.

We cover:

• The 5 things I own when it comes to hiring for client teams
• The biggest mistake I see marketers make when they try to “be helpful” with hiring
• Where the line is between strategic leadership and operational recruiting
• And the simple filter I use to protect my time and keep my boundaries

Hiring impacts marketing performance — but running the entire process is not your job.

If you’ve ever found yourself slipping into recruiter or marketing manager mode, this episode will help you reset your boundaries and operate at the CMO level.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Hiring Is Strategic—Recruiting Is Operational

00:50 Evaluate the Team Before You Hire

02:15 Build the Right Team for the Business

03:40 Define the Role Before You Recruit

05:35 Structure Compensation Strategically

06:55 Guide the Hiring Process—Don't Run It

08:50 The Boundaries Every Fractional CMO Needs

09:55 My Filter for CMO vs. HR Work

10:45 Stay Strategic Without Becoming the Recruiter

You don’t need a huge audience to get Fractional CMO clients.

But you do need to stop approaching sales like a freelancer.

If you’ve been posting educational content, creating freebies, or “putting yourself out there” and it’s not turning into clients, this episode will show you exactly why and what to do instead.

Today, I’m breaking down the 3 fastest ways to get booked as a Fractional CMO — and what most marketers are doing wrong when they try.

In this episode I break down:

• The three fastest ways to get Fractional CMO clients, like yesterday
• The biggest mistakes I see marketers make when they’re looking for clients
• A simple “start here” plan you can follow over the next 30 days to help you land clients fast
• And the one sentence that instantly positions you as a leader instead of “someone who helps with marketing”

If you’re done hoping dream clients will just land in your inbox, and you're ready to take things into your hands and make it happen, this episode will show you exactly how to do that.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

RESOURCES

Become a Booked Out CMO - Get my free cold pitch email templates here: Fractional CMO Sales Email Templates — The CMO Office

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Why Most Fractional CMOs Struggle to Get Clients

02:15 Stop Selling Yourself Like a Contractor

02:55 Method #1: Leverage Your Warm Network

03:40 The 3 Biggest Referral Mistakes

07:00 The Follow-Up Most People Skip

08:20 Method #2: Build Strategic Partnerships

10:30 How to Create Referral Partners That Actually Send Clients

13:00 Method #3: Cold Pitching That Doesn't Feel Salesy

15:15 The Cold Pitch Formula That Lands Dream Clients

18:30 The Biggest Cold Outreach Mistakes

20:45 The CTA That Gets More Replies

22:15 Why Follow-Up Wins More Clients

23:45 Your 30-Day Client Acquisition Plan

25:15 The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

If you’re a Fractional CMO and you’ve ever wondered, “What should I be charging?”, this episode is for you.

So many experienced marketers undercharge in this role, and it’s one of the biggest reasons Fractional CMOs feel overworked, underpaid, and burned out.

In this episode, I break down:

• The core mindset shift around pricing that changes how clients perceive your value
• The real pricing ranges Fractional CMOs are charging — and when each range actually makes sense
• The two most common pricing models and which one I recommend
• The six biggest pricing mistakes that keep smart, experienced marketers undercharging — and how to fix them

This conversation is about pricing at different levels of leadership in a way that reflects responsibility, decision-making, and ownership — and supports building a lucrative, sustainable Fractional CMO business where you’re paid appropriately for the role you’re doing.

If you’ve been questioning your rates, feeling stretched thin, or sensing there’s a gap between the work you’re doing and what you’re being paid, this episode will give you the clarity you’ve been looking for.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 The Biggest Pricing Mistake Fractional CMOs Make

01:05 Stop Charging for Hours

02:10 Why Retainers Win

03:05 What Different Pricing Ranges Actually Mean

04:25 Advisory Pricing ($2K–$5K)

05:45 Mid-Range Pricing (And Where Burnout Starts)

07:00 Premium Fractional CMO Pricing

08:40 Pricing Mistake #1: Charging Hourly

09:35 Pricing Mistake #2: Selling Deliverables Instead of Leadership

10:45 Pricing Mistake #3: Undefined Scope

11:50 Pricing Mistake #4: Using Your Old Salary as a Benchmark

12:45 Pricing Mistake #5: Filling Execution Gaps

13:45 Pricing Mistake #6: Undercharging Yourself

14:45 Price for Leadership, Not Tasks

One of the fastest ways Fractional CMOs burn out is by not being clear on their role. When you don’t know what you should own – and what you shouldn’t – you end up overdelivering, doing work you shouldn’t, and being way busier than you need to be, which ultimately limits your earning potential.

In this episode of my series “What I Do and Don’t Do as a CMO,” and I’m diving into Social Media

We cover:

• What social media ownership actually means as a CMO
• How to think about channel selection and prioritization
• The role of positioning and high-level content direction
• What it looks like to guide performance without getting pulled into daily execution
• Why clear boundaries around social media are essential for protecting your time and value

If you’ve ever found yourself mapping out content calendars, reviewing captions, editing reels, or posting content, — this episode will help you reset your boundaries and focus on the strategic role you’re meant to play as a CMO.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Why Social Media Burns Out Fractional CMOs

00:45 Choose the Right Channels—Not Every Channel

02:00 Give Every Platform a Clear Job

03:15 Positioning Matters More Than Content

04:30 High-Level Strategy vs. Daily Content

06:20 Keep Every Channel Aligned

07:30 Monitor Results Without Managing Social Media

08:50 What I Never Do as a Fractional CMO

09:45 Stay in the CMO Seat

One of the fastest ways Fractional CMOs burn out is by not being clear on their role. When you don’t know what you should own – and what you shouldn’t – you end up overdelivering, doing work you shouldn’t, and being way busier than you need to be, which ultimately limits your earning potential.

In the first episode of my series “What I Do and Don’t Do as a CMO,” and I’m starting with KPIs and data.

In this episode, I break down what I do (and don’t do) as a CMO when it comes to KPIs and data.

In this episode, we cover:

• What CMOs should (and should not) do when it comes to pulling and reporting on marketing data
• The four areas I stay focused on when it comes to marketing performance and data
• The biggest mistakes and misconceptions I see when it comes to analyzing and reporting data to CEOs and leadership teams
• How to build a tracking plan that supports real decision-making

If KPIs feel intimidating or you’ve ever thought “I’m not a numbers person,” this episode will show you that you don’t need to be an analytics expert to be a great CMO. You just need clarity on your role, strong strategic thinking, and the confidence to stay in your lane.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 The KPI Mistake That Burns Out Fractional CMOs

00:45 The 4 Things I Actually Own

01:20 Build a Tracking System That Matters

03:00 Analyze Trends—Not Just Numbers

04:10 Find the "So What" Behind the Data

05:20 Turn Insights Into Action

06:40 Zoom Out Before You Zoom In

08:25 What I Never Do as a Fractional CMO

09:40 How I Report KPIs to Clients

11:10 You Don't Need to Be a Data Expert

12:00 Make Better Decisions with Better Data

I charge up to $20,000 for a marketing strategy — and in this episode I’m pulling back the curtain on exactly how I build it.

Most fractional CMOs are winging their strategy process and massively undercharging because of it. So I’m walking you through my exact four-phase process — Discovery, Strategy Development, Delivery, and Alignment & Next Steps — and the mistakes I see people make at every stage.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Why Most CMOs Undercharge for Strategy

01:00 Phase 1: Discovery Changes Everything

02:15 Stop Taking the Client's Word for It

03:45 The Goal-Setting Mistake That Ruins Strategies

05:15 Phase 2: Building the Right Strategy

06:45 Why Bigger Isn't Better

08:15 Phase 3: How to Deliver a Strategy

09:45 Phase 4: Turning Strategy Into a Retainer

11:00 How to Charge $20K for Strategy

I see this all the time — founders frustrated with their hires, marketers frustrated with their clients, and everyone pointing the finger at the other person. But most of the time, it’s actually no one’s fault.

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down:

• The biggest misunderstanding around hiring marketing support
• Why you’re not getting better results
• The unrealistic expectations placed on one “unicorn” hire
• And the industry dynamic that keeps founders investing in tactics instead of building strategy

If you’ve ever hired “marketing help” and still ended up feeling overwhelmed, unsupported, or unsure what’s actually working, this episode is for you.

And if you’re a marketer, this will help you see where unclear roles and structural gaps are setting you up for failure — even when you’re doing the best you can.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Why Marketing Hires Keep Failing

01:00 The Biggest Hiring Mistake Founders Make

02:30 More Marketing Doesn't Mean Better Results

04:15 Why Strategy and Execution Are Different Jobs

05:45 The Unicorn Myth That's Burning Everyone Out

07:45 Why Great Marketers Still Struggle

08:45 The Fractional CMO Advantage

10:00 The Industry Problem Nobody Talks About

11:00 Leadership vs Execution: The Real Question

How your clients see you determines everything — how much they trust your decisions, how often they question your strategy, how much control they take in meetings, and ultimately how much they’re willing to pay you as a Fractional CMO.

If you’ve ever felt a client slowly start directing you, second-guessing your recommendations, or treating you more like an executor than a strategic leader, this episode will help you understand why.

In this episode, I break down:

• The communication shifts that position you as a strategic leader
• The subtle behaviors that weaken your authority
• The biggest mistake marketers make when they’re trying to show up as a leader
• And how to recalibrate the dynamic with a client if you’re sensing they don’t see you as a leader

This isn’t about being louder or more dominant. It’s about showing up with clarity, direction, and confidence in every interaction. Because being a CMO isn’t just about strategy — it’s about leadership and communication.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Why Clients Don't See You as a Leader

00:45 Communication Shift #1: Always Bring a Recommendation

02:15 Communication Shift #2: Set the Agenda

03:45 Communication Shift #3: Be Proactive

05:45 The Biggest Mistake That Destroys Trust

07:30 Small Words That Shrink Your Authority

09:15 Stronger Language Builds Stronger Leadership

10:30 How to Reset the Client Dynamic

12:00 Lead With Confidence, Not Perfection 13:00 The Difference Between a CMO and an Order Taker

How you structure your first 90 days changes everything about your business. When you step into a new client engagement, the order of what you focus on determines whether you're seen as a strategic leader or just another executor.

In this episode, I break down:

• The exact order of what to focus on first
• How to integrate with the team and establish your rhythm
• When and how to prove the strategy works
• Why foundation building matters more than you think
• And how month three positions you as the strategic owner, not just the executor

This isn't about moving fast. It's about moving in the right order. When you follow this progression, you're not operating like a contractor. You're operating like a CMO — thinking, leading, and making decisions.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 What Your First 90 Days Should Look Like

01:00 Month One: Slow Down Before You Speed Up

03:00 Month Two: Build Relationships First

04:30 Quick Wins vs Long-Term Projects

06:00 Month Three: Start Thinking Like a Leader

07:15 The Skill That Separates Great CMOs

08:15 How to Build Trust With Clients

09:15 Why the First 90 Days Matter So Much

10:00 The Fractional CMO Roadmap

What you call yourself matters less than what you actually do. And when you code-switch with the same client — saying CMO, operating as contractor — you're losing authority and pricing power.

If you've ever found yourself executing work for a client while also calling yourself their Fractional CMO, this episode will help you understand why.

In this episode, I'm breaking down:

• Exactly what to do in your first 90 days as a fractional CMO
• What you should do (and not do) in months one, two, and three
• How to integrate with the team and establish your rhythm as the leader
• Why this progression determines whether you operate like a CMO or a contractor

This isn't about being rigid or distant. It's about clarity and boundaries. Because being a Fractional CMO isn't just about strategy — it's about the seat you're actually in.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Why Clients Don't See You as a Leader

00:45 Agency, Contractor, or Fractional CMO?

02:00 The Problem With Code Switching

03:15 Why Execution Shrinks Your Authority

04:30 The Scope Creep Trap

05:30 What Changes When You Stay in the CMO Seat

06:30 Why Your Pricing Starts to Make Sense

07:15 Pick a Lane and Stay There

What you spend your time on determines everything — how visible you are to your client, how much authority you actually have, how much they'll pay you, and whether you burn out. If you've ever felt like you're executing all the marketing while your client sees you as someone who takes direction instead of sets it, this episode will help you understand why.

In this episode, I break down:

• The four things a CMO actually owns (and where execution lives)
• The daily filter you use to know if you're staying in the right scope
• Why staying in execution keeps you invisible — and what that costs you
• What happens when you start setting these boundaries

This shift isn't about confidence or willpower. It's about clarity on your role. And once you have that, everything changes — how your client sees you, what you charge, how much control you have over your time. Because stepping into the CMO role isn't about doing more. It's about operating at a different level.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Why Most Marketers Struggle to Lead

01:00 What a CMO Actually Does

02:00 Strategy: The CMO's First Responsibility

04:00 Resource Allocation and Team Decisions

06:00 Accountability Without Doing the Work

08:00 The 30,000-Foot View of Marketing

09:15 What CMOs Should Never Do

10:45 The Filter I Use Every Day

12:15 How to Stop Being the Doer

14:00 The 3-Step Shift Into Leadership

Posting on social media is one of the least effective easy to get clients as a Fractional CMO.

I'm a huge believer in being visible online — but social media for lead generation is the SLOWEST and most exhausting route to landing high-ticket Fractional CMO clients.

In this episode, I break down:

• 3 reasons social media isn't landing you high-ticket Fractional CMO clients
• Where high-ticket clients DO come from — and why most Fractionals are looking in the wrong place
• The reframe I give my students that ends the content hamster wheel for good
• How to make your channels work for you WITHOUT posting every day (you'll get hours back)

If you've been grinding to create social media content on the daily, and not seeing the return on your time, you’ll love this video.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Social Media Didn't Build My Business

00:40 Why Most Social Media Leads Are Bad Fits

01:40 The Content Creation Hamster Wheel

02:50 How High-Ticket Clients Actually Buy

04:10 The Real Purpose of Social Media

05:20 How to Look Credible Without Posting Every Day

06:45 Why LinkedIn Beats Every Other Platform

07:30 Stop Chasing Content

Imposter syndrome is why most Fractional CMOs undercharge, second-guess their strategy, and shrink in client meetings.

And the advice everyone gives you to "work on your mindset” is great, and I'm a huge believer in it — but that takes TIME. And if you've got clients you're leading right now, you need something that works IMMEDIATELY.

In this episode, we break down:

• 5 tips to help you get past imposter syndrome fast
• How to build trust with clients (even when you don't have all the answers)
• Why you don't need to be the expert in everything as a CMO
• The ONE thing that dissolves imposter syndrome faster than anything else
• The question I ask myself when I get stuck in my head with a client (steal it!)

If you're working as a Fractional CMO and imposter syndrome is keeping you from showing up like the leader your clients hired you to be you’ll love this episode.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Most Imposter Syndrome Advice Is Useless

01:00 You Don't Need to Know Everything

02:15 Build a Team That Fills Your Gaps

03:45 Get Behind the Curtain

05:20 Focus on Results, Not Expertise

06:50 Remember Who You're There For

08:15 The Real Way to Beat Imposter Syndrome

So many people start Fractional work then find themselves burnt out, and questioning if this model is even a fit for them.

I sat down with one of my Fractional CMO School students, for a live coaching call. Lisa came to me feeling disillusioned with the fractional model after a few client experiences, and wondering what to do next.

I helped her see that didn't hate the model, she just wasn’t operating inside the right structure.

She had been making the same mistakes I see others make all the time, so I asked her to come on the podcast because I KNEW her experience would be so helpful for many others.

In this episode, we break down:

• The biggest mistake I see CMO’s make when building out strategies (that actually overwhelms your clients too)
• The most common places where Fractionals end up overdelivering in their role
• A simple filter you can use to make sure you stay in your lane and only do CMO-level work
• The driving analogy that helped me step into leadership and totally changed how my clients saw me (you can steal it!)

If you're working as a Fractional but you’re buried in your client's Slack, your days are FULL of meetings, and you’re being pulled in a million directions, this episode is for you.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Why Fractional CMO Work Wasn't Working

03:25 Lisa's Background and Why She Made the Shift

08:00 The Strategy Scope Mistake Most Marketers Make

14:00 Why Overdelivering Creates Bigger Problems

22:15 When Fractional CMOs Become Operators

26:00 The Difference Between a CMO and a Marketing Manager

35:20 The Leadership Shift That Changes Everything

40:00 What It Really Means to Own the Marketing Function

45:15 How to Identify the Right Fractional CMO Clients

50:45 Why Every Growth-Stage Company Needs a Marketing Manager

56:00 Where AI Fits Into the Fractional CMO Role

01:04:00 Final Lessons on Scope, Boundaries and Client Fit

Sales is the one skill nobody teaches you as a fractional CMO — and it's the one that determines whether your business actually grows. Most of us got into this because we're good at marketing. Not because we love selling. For a long time, I hated it. I wasn't comfortable doing it, I didn't feel like I was good at it, and the idea of getting on a call where someone might say no felt awful. Four years and millions in client revenue later — sales is one of my strongest skills.

In this episode, I'm breaking down every lesson that got me there:

• The mindset shift that made selling stop feeling gross
• The one thing you can do to make people feel understood before you've pitched anything,
• Why I turn people away — and how it's built my business
• How to lead a sales call so you're never getting interviewed
• How to say your high-ticket prices without flinching.
• And what you can do to get better at sales.

If sales still feels uncomfortable, or it’s something you want to get better at, this episode is for you.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 I Used to Hate Sales

01:00 The 3 Shifts That Changed Everything

01:30 Why Sales Is Really Service

02:45 Empathy Is Your Competitive Advantage

04:00 The Power of Selling With Integrity

05:15 How to Lead a Sales Call

07:45 The Secret to Saying Your Price Confidently

10:00 The Only Way to Get Better at Sales

11:10 Why Confidence Comes From Reps

You can be a Fractional CMO without ever having held the CMO title before. If you've been counting yourself out of Fractional CMO work because you’re not sure you’re experienced enough, this episode is for you.

I’m breaking down:

• Why your past job title is not as important as you think it is
• The three things you need to be a CMO
• What to do when you’re not *quite* qualified for a role
• And the shift you need to make if you want to step into Fractional CMO work

If you've been counting yourself out of Fractional CMO work because of what's on your resume — you're going to love this episode.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.

🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Can You Be a Fractional CMO Without the Title?

01:00 What the CMO Role Actually Is

02:00 The First Sign You're Already Thinking Like a CMO

03:15 Why Business Thinking Matters More Than Marketing Skills

04:45 Stop Acting Like an Executor

06:00 Nobody Is Going to Tell You You're Ready

04:50 The Bare Minimum You Need Online

05:40 How to Build Credibility Fast

06:10 Why I’d Focus on LinkedIn

06:45 Instagram Clients Are Different