Thinking about becoming a Fractional CMO?

Maybe you're juggling work from home with a new baby. Or you've left your corporate marketing job and you're wondering what's next. You’ve probably seen others make the shift post-COVID and thought, “That could be me.”

And it absolutely can—but only if you're doing it for the right reasons.

Because here’s what most people won’t tell you: becoming a Fractional CMO isn’t about adding a fancy title to your LinkedIn bio. It’s about rolling up your sleeves and partnering with businesses to actually drive growth. And if you're coming from a background of hour-long meetings and month-long strategy docs, there’s a learning curve.

From Scaling to Rebuilding: Why I Do Things Differently

Before COVID, I scaled a marketing agency and worked with over 200 clients—everything from startups to eCommerce to service-based businesses. But as the agency grew, something didn’t sit right. The work became less personal. More transactional.

Then the pandemic hit. Everything slowed down. And in that pause, I had time to reflect.

I realised I didn’t want to keep building something that felt disconnected. I wanted to get back to what I actually love doing: working in close partnership with clients, understanding their goals, and being the strategic force that helps them grow.

So I pivoted. I started working as a Fractional CMO—one that isn’t bound by traditional agency models or bloated retainers. One that brings real, strategic impact to the businesses I partner with.

And now? I’m earning over $200K a year doing work that actually feels aligned.

What a Fractional CMO Actually Does

A Fractional CMO is a senior marketing strategist who plugs into a business part-time—either as a long-term partner or during key periods of growth or transition.

You're not there to hand over a 40-page deck and walk away. You're there to bring clarity, strategy, and execution—and most importantly, momentum.

You help businesses move forward. Smartly. Affordably. And with a clear focus on what matters.

10 Things You Should Know Before Making the Jump

1. Know Your Tools as Well as Your Strategy

Big ideas are great, but you also need to know how to implement them. If you haven’t touched a CRM, ad platform or email marketing system in years, you’ll need to brush up—quick.

2. Speed > Perfection

Small businesses don’t have time to wait for weeks of “ideation.” They want real strategies that work, now. Learn how to move fast without sacrificing impact.

3. You're Not a Guru—You're a Partner

Clients aren’t looking for someone who talks in circles. They want a sounding board, a problem solver, and someone who’ll meet them where they are.

4. Be Ready to Get Hands-On

You’re not building out a team on day one. You’ll likely be the one building campaigns, writing copy, and jumping into the back end. The magic is in being strategic and scrappy.

5. Boundaries Are Everything

You’re not on-call 24/7. Set clear expectations, deliverables, and communication rhythms from day one.

6. Charge Based on Value, Not Time

I charge $2,000/month for the first three months of setup and strategy (where the real heavy lifting happens), and then $500/month ongoing to monitor and optimise. That’s it. No fluff, no unnecessary tinkering.

7. Find Your Fit

Some founders want a true CMO. Others want someone to run their socials. You’ll save yourself a lot of time (and energy) by learning to spot the difference early.

8. Build in Public

Share what you’re learning. Talk about the mistakes. Build trust. Small business owners want someone they trust—not just someone who claims to “scale brands.”

9. Get a System in Place

Have your onboarding docs, reporting templates, and frameworks ready. A clean process gives you more headspace to do the work you love.

10. Community Is Everything

I’d love to connect with more marketers doing this work in Melbourne—especially women. If you’re thinking about making the shift or already have, reach out. Let’s have a coffee.

How I Make It Work

This career move isn’t about coasting. It’s about doing the deep, meaningful work that actually helps a business grow.

And while I’ve had the chance to work with hundreds of clients over the past decade, the work I’m doing now feels the most aligned. Whether I’m helping a retail brand build out a full-funnel campaign or sitting side-by-side with a founder to map their customer journey, I’m in it. Fully.

And because I’ve been on both sides—agency and solo—I know what works and what’s just noise.

Final Thoughts: This Isn’t About the Title—It’s About the Impact

The term “Fractional CMO” might be trending, but if you treat it like a shortcut, you’ll burn out fast. This work requires humility, adaptability, and a deep desire to help small businesses thrive.

So if you’re thinking about making the move, do it with your eyes open and your sleeves rolled up.

Need a sounding board? Want to talk real numbers or share where you’re stuck? Let’s connect. And if you're local to Melbourne, let’s have that coffee.