Fractional CMO Show

In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey opens up a raw coaching call with people who aren't fractional CMOs yet—but want to be. These are agency owners tired of the hamster wheel, strategists stuck doing execution, and full-time employees wondering if this fractional thing is actually real. Casey coaches through real deals happening this week: Eric transitioning from agency to targeting private equity exits, Roxy discovering clients keep telling her she's a "really strong strategist" but she's drowning in execution, Paul pitching a $30M company, and Ernesto trying to find IVF clinic owners who want marketing leadership instead of just need it. The conversation cuts through the noise—stop pitching, stop discounting, start having curious conversations that make fractional CMO services the obvious solution. Key Topics Covered: -The 3-5 client rule: Three is ideal—more clients means mixing up names like dating multiple people at once -Financial structure: Client pays your fee directly (~$9,700 of $10K), then separately pays for the team you build -Luxury pricing: They should say "that makes sense" not "can you discount?" -Warm outreach: Share your shift, ask "who should I meet?" not "will you hire me?" -The exit conversation: Surface if they're selling in 2 years—they won't tell their team but they'll tell you -Never pitch, discover: Ask questions until fractional CMO is obvious, then "what questions do you have?" -Agency owners can transition without shutting down—fractional work is separate -Discounting kills relationships: Clients who negotiate once nickel-and-dime forever -Find people who want to grow: Show them you're the bridge—they don't need to know fractional CMO exists yet 🌟 Take the First Step Toward Growth with CMOx 🌟 Booking a call with our team is super easy, stress-free, and all about YOU. Whether you're exploring options or ready to scale, this no-pressure consultation is designed to understand your needs and guide you in the right direction. 📅 Schedule your call today: 👉 CMOx.com/call We'll make sure this is the most productive (and effortless) decision you've made for your business. Let's talk about strategy and success! 🤝 Join the Fractional CMO Community 🤝 Want to continue the conversation and get access to exclusive resources? Join our free Facebook group for fractional CMOs and marketing leaders! Inside, you'll find discussions, insights, and tools to help you grow your business and maximize your impact. 👉 CMOx.com/community Looking forward to seeing you inside! 🚀 🎙️ Stay Ahead with the Fractional CMO Show 🎙️ Want to unlock the secrets of marketing success? Subscribe to the podcast and gain exclusive insights from industry leaders and experts! 👉 CMOx.com/podcast Got questions? We'd love to hear them! Submit your questions for a chance to be featured on an upcoming episode: 👉 FractionalCMOShow.com Subscribe today and start leveling up your marketing game! 📚 Master the Game with These Must-Read Books 📚 Want to go deeper and build a high-impact marketing career on your terms? These two books from Casey Stanton are your blueprint. The Fractional CMO Method Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller. Learn how to attract, convert, and serve high-paying clients while staying focused on strategy and leadership. 👉 CMOx.com/book Find Your CMO Hiring a CMO? This guide helps CEOs and founders understand what great marketing leadership looks like—and how to find the right fit. 👉 CMOx.com/find-your-cmo Start reading and take control of your marketing future. Connect with… Eric Lessman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericlessman/ Roxy Jahangeri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxyjahangeri/ Paul June: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauljune/ Connect with Casey Stanton: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ Website: https://caseystanton.com/

In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey continues the conversation with a dozen successful women from the CMOx accelerator boardroom. This is part two of a webinar series where these fractional CMOs get real about building six-figure practices on their own terms. These aren't beginners. These are women commanding $10K+ monthly retainers, managing teams of 30+ people across multiple clients, and turning down full-time job offers even when they didn't have paying clients yet. They come from automotive, financial services, SaaS, climate tech, life sciences, and consumer brands. The conversation digs into pricing psychology, imposter syndrome, getting ghosted by prospects, why portfolio obsession is a waste of time, and the counterintuitive truth that higher-paying clients are actually less demanding. Casey laser coaches through some tough questions about what's really holding people back from charging what they're worth and claiming the expert position they've already earned. Key Topics Covered: -Why higher-paying clients are less demanding and require less "keyboard time" while creating bigger impact -Stop competing on price—establish your rate and find clients who pay it, not clients you have to convince -Corporate conditioning taught you the finish line always moves—fractional work means you set the standards -You're not competing with other fractionals—your success lives in relationships with 20-50 people over your lifetime -Getting ghosted isn't personal until they explicitly say no—keep following up with creative persistence -Pitch decks are overrated—sell the bespoke solution, not a menu of services -Some deals close in a day, others take a year of showing up consistently in someone's world -Who's a good fit: committed, coachable, vulnerable people willing to do the work and hear no​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ 🌟 Take the First Step Toward Growth with CMOx 🌟 Booking a call with our team is super easy, stress-free, and all about YOU. Whether you're exploring options or ready to scale, this no-pressure consultation is designed to understand your needs and guide you in the right direction. 📅 Schedule your call today: 👉 CMOx.com/call We'll make sure this is the most productive (and effortless) decision you've made for your business. Let's talk about strategy and success! 🤝 Join the Fractional CMO Community 🤝 Want to continue the conversation and get access to exclusive resources? Join our free Facebook group for fractional CMOs and marketing leaders! Inside, you'll find discussions, insights, and tools to help you grow your business and maximize your impact. 👉 CMOx.com/community Looking forward to seeing you inside! 🚀 🎙️ Stay Ahead with the Fractional CMO Show 🎙️ Want to unlock the secrets of marketing success? Subscribe to the podcast and gain exclusive insights from industry leaders and experts! 👉 CMOx.com/podcast Got questions? We'd love to hear them! Submit your questions for a chance to be featured on an upcoming episode: 👉 FractionalCMOShow.com Subscribe today and start leveling up your marketing game! 📚 Master the Game with These Must-Read Books 📚 Want to go deeper and build a high-impact marketing career on your terms? These two books from Casey Stanton are your blueprint. The Fractional CMO Method Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller. Learn how to attract, convert, and serve high-paying clients while staying focused on strategy and leadership. 👉 CMOx.com/book Find Your CMO Hiring a CMO? This guide helps CEOs and founders understand what great marketing leadership looks like—and how to find the right fit. 👉 CMOx.com/find-your-cmo Start reading and take control of your marketing future. Connect with… Courtney Joaquin: https://www.toomuchconsulting.com/ Stacie Dauffenbach: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staciedauffenbach/ Lisa Ortscheid: https://www.driving4ward.com/ Mandy MacPhee: ca.linkedin.com/in/mandymacphee Laura Bassett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralbassett/ Christy Poulos: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinepoulos/ Lisa Perry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaperrymarketing/ Brandi Tindall: https://www.branditindall.com/ Jessie Peters: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessie-peters/ Erin McMahon: https://erin-mcmahon.mykajabi.com/ Lauren Howard: https://www.laurenmhoward.work/ Kim Snell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimsnell-ceo Connect with Casey Stanton: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ Website: https://caseystanton.com/

In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, a dozen women from the CMOx accelerator boardroom come together to share their real experiences building successful fractional CMO practices. This is part one of a two-part series that started when member Courtney challenged Casey's solo episode—pointing out there was a whole perspective he couldn't see. These aren't theoretical success stories. These are women pulling in $10K+ per month in recurring revenue, with at least two hitting $50,000 months in November. They come from wildly different backgrounds: automotive, financial services, SaaS, climate tech, life sciences, and consumer brands. The group dig into what it's actually like—the double standards, the over-apologizing, the tendency to work above contract and undercharge, the corporate conditioning that taught them to fight for a seat at the table and then second-guess everything once they got there. But this isn't a grievance session. It's about what's possible on the other side: no politics, choosing your clients, charging what you're worth, and showing up as the expert you always were without making yourself smaller. Key Topics Covered: Why women undercharge and go "far above and beyond" contracts—and the conditioning behind it -The "too direct" double bind: male colleagues say it, they're leaders—you say it, you're a bitch -Your ideas get ignored until a guy repeats them five minutes later -Why clients let fractionals challenge them but shut down internal employees saying the exact same thing -The confidence gap: men apply at 30%, women wait for 90%—time to close it -Stop apologizing for things that aren't yours -As a fractional, you get to fire bad clients and set real boundaries—something full-time never allowed 🌟 Take the First Step Toward Growth with CMOx 🌟 Booking a call with our team is super easy, stress-free, and all about YOU. Whether you're exploring options or ready to scale, this no-pressure consultation is designed to understand your needs and guide you in the right direction. 📅 Schedule your call today: 👉 CMOx.com/call We'll make sure this is the most productive (and effortless) decision you've made for your business. Let's talk about strategy and success! 🤝 Join the Fractional CMO Community 🤝 Want to continue the conversation and get access to exclusive resources? Join our free Facebook group for fractional CMOs and marketing leaders! Inside, you'll find discussions, insights, and tools to help you grow your business and maximize your impact. 👉 CMOx.com/community Looking forward to seeing you inside! 🚀 🎙️ Stay Ahead with the Fractional CMO Show 🎙️ Want to unlock the secrets of marketing success? Subscribe to the podcast and gain exclusive insights from industry leaders and experts! 👉 CMOx.com/podcast Got questions? We'd love to hear them! Submit your questions for a chance to be featured on an upcoming episode: 👉 FractionalCMOShow.com Subscribe today and start leveling up your marketing game! 📚 Master the Game with These Must-Read Books 📚 Want to go deeper and build a high-impact marketing career on your terms? These two books from Casey Stanton are your blueprint. The Fractional CMO Method Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller. Learn how to attract, convert, and serve high-paying clients while staying focused on strategy and leadership. 👉 CMOx.com/book Find Your CMO Hiring a CMO? This guide helps CEOs and founders understand what great marketing leadership looks like—and how to find the right fit. 👉 CMOx.com/find-your-cmo Start reading and take control of your marketing future. Connect with… Courtney Joaquin: https://www.toomuchconsulting.com/ Stacie Dauffenbach: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staciedauffenbach/ Lisa Ortscheid: https://www.driving4ward.com/ Mandy MacPhee: ca.linkedin.com/in/mandymacphee Laura Bassett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralbassett/ Christy Poulos: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinepoulos/ Lisa Perry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaperrymarketing/ Brandi Tindall: https://www.branditindall.com/ Jessie Peters: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessie-peters/ Erin McMahon: https://erin-mcmahon.mykajabi.com/ Lauren Howard: https://www.laurenmhoward.work/ Kim Snell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimsnell-ceo Connect with Casey Stanton: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ Website: https://caseystanton.com/

In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey Stanton breaks down exactly why deals fall apart—and why most of the time, it's not about you. Drawing from Eugene Schwartz's Breakthrough Advertising, Casey walks through the stages of prospect awareness and reveals the harsh truth: 20% of deals will never close, 20% are laydowns, and 60% require serious follow-up. He shares real stories from the field—prospects who ghosted after great calls, a doctor who chose a $500 AI tool over a fractional CMO, and deals that stalled despite perfect chemistry. Casey gets into the psychology of the sale: problem awareness, motivation, timing, and budget—and how to know when a "no" has nothing to do with your skills. He shares his own low points, like selling his car the day before a payment was due while rebuilding his business, and explains how staying steady and relentless—even when desperate—is what separates fractional CMOs who thrive from those who struggle. Key Topics Covered: -The stages of prospect awareness and why deals die before you pitch -Problem-aware but unmotivated prospects—and when to let them go -Why your pricing conversation should end with "that makes sense" -Getting to yes or no: why "maybe" and ghosting kill your pipeline -Staying steady and relentless even when you need the sale​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ 🌟 Take the First Step Toward Growth with CMOx 🌟 Booking a call with our team is super easy, stress-free, and all about YOU. Whether you're exploring options or ready to scale, this no-pressure consultation is designed to understand your needs and guide you in the right direction. 📅 Schedule your call today: 👉 CMOx.com/call We'll make sure this is the most productive (and effortless) decision you've made for your business. Let's talk about strategy and success! 🤝 Join the Fractional CMO Community 🤝 Want to continue the conversation and get access to exclusive resources? Join our free Facebook group for fractional CMOs and marketing leaders! Inside, you'll find discussions, insights, and tools to help you grow your business and maximize your impact. 👉 CMOx.com/community Looking forward to seeing you inside! 🚀 🎙️ Stay Ahead with the Fractional CMO Show 🎙️ Want to unlock the secrets of marketing success? Subscribe to the podcast and gain exclusive insights from industry leaders and experts! 👉 CMOx.com/podcast Got questions? We'd love to hear them! Submit your questions for a chance to be featured on an upcoming episode: 👉 FractionalCMOShow.com Subscribe today and start leveling up your marketing game! 📚 Master the Game with These Must-Read Books 📚 Want to go deeper and build a high-impact marketing career on your terms? These two books from Casey Stanton are your blueprint. The Fractional CMO Method Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller. Learn how to attract, convert, and serve high-paying clients while staying focused on strategy and leadership. 👉 CMOx.com/book Find Your CMO Hiring a CMO? This guide helps CEOs and founders understand what great marketing leadership looks like—and how to find the right fit. 👉 CMOx.com/find-your-cmo Start reading and take control of your marketing future. Connect with Casey Stanton: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ Website: https://caseystanton.com/

Dive into the world of fractional CMOs as Casey Stanton shares his hands-on experiences. Learn the balance between rolling up your sleeves and effective delegation. Discover how to manage scope creep while maintaining your sanity. Hear about innovative CRM integration solutions and the importance of setting boundaries after agency burnout. Casey emphasizes the advantages of focusing on fewer clients with bigger challenges for better outcomes and higher fees. Stay sharp by blending play with specialization!

In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey Stanton speaks directly to women in the marketing world who want to step into the fractional CMO role but often hold themselves back. Drawing from coaching over 200 women inside the Accelerator, Casey highlights the recurring patterns he sees — undercharging, over-justifying, second-guessing their expertise, and hesitating to bring in outside specialists. He walks through the dangers of discounting, the importance of choosing clients who can afford real marketing investment, and how to step into a CEO-level mindset where you orchestrate talent rather than trying to do everything yourself. From understanding EBITDA constraints to leveraging micro-experts on Upwork, Casey gives women a roadmap for charging premium rates and positioning themselves as strategic leaders. Whether you're a marketer trying to break out of "doer" mode or a fractional CMO struggling to own your value, this episode offers the mindset, frameworks, and permission you need to finally step into the role with confidence. Key Topics Covered: - Why Casey recorded this message specifically for women fractional CMOs - The pricing gap: why women tend to undercharge and overexplain - How to set rates based on the life you want, not what clients expect - The difference between declaring your price vs. justifying your price - How money stories and morality distort pricing decisions - Why you should only work with clients who can afford both you and a real marketing budget - The dangers of taking on low-EBITDA or discount clients - Leadership vs. strategy vs. implementation — and why implementation traps women - Why hiring experts is not a threat, but a superpower - How confidence is created through intention, not credentials - Using Upwork and micro-experts to multiply your effectiveness - Selling future outcomes instead of tactical deliverables - When to walk away from clients who cannot support growth 🌟 Take the First Step Toward Growth with CMOx 🌟 Booking a call with our team is super easy, stress-free, and all about YOU. Whether you're exploring options or ready to scale, this no-pressure consultation is designed to understand your needs and guide you in the right direction. 📅 Schedule your call today: 👉 CMOx.com/call We'll make sure this is the most productive (and effortless) decision you've made for your business. Let's talk about strategy and success! 🤝 Join the Fractional CMO Community 🤝 Want to continue the conversation and get access to exclusive resources? Join our free Facebook group for fractional CMOs and marketing leaders! Inside, you'll find discussions, insights, and tools to help you grow your business and maximize your impact. 👉 CMOx.com/community Looking forward to seeing you inside! 🚀 🎙️ Stay Ahead with the Fractional CMO Show 🎙️ Want to unlock the secrets of marketing success? Subscribe to the podcast and gain exclusive insights from industry leaders and experts! 👉 CMOx.com/podcast Got questions? We'd love to hear them! Submit your questions for a chance to be featured on an upcoming episode: 👉 FractionalCMOShow.com Subscribe today and start leveling up your marketing game! 📚 Master the Game with These Must-Read Books 📚 Want to go deeper and build a high-impact marketing career on your terms? These two books from Casey Stanton are your blueprint. The Fractional CMO Method Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller. Learn how to attract, convert, and serve high-paying clients while staying focused on strategy and leadership. 👉 CMOx.com/book Find Your CMO Hiring a CMO? This guide helps CEOs and founders understand what great marketing leadership looks like—and how to find the right fit. 👉 CMOx.com/find-your-cmo Start reading and take control of your marketing future. Connect with Casey Stanton: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ Website: https://caseystanton.com/

Discover how having fun can transform your career as a fractional CMO! Casey shares why joy fuels creativity and engagement while building valuable client relationships. He emphasizes the importance of playful experiments in marketing, from creative pricing strategies to exploring niche interests. Learn to treat your career like a game, where curiosity and experimentation lead to innovation. With practical tips to keep your work enjoyable, this episode showcases how play can enhance longevity and success in your professional journey.

Explore the path to sustainable wealth as a fractional CMO, where getting rich slowly trumps quick wins. Discover how long-term contracts eliminate financial stress and lead to stable income. Learn the importance of strong client relationships, the art of pricing your services confidently, and choosing ethically aligned clients. Unpack strategies for client retention, scaling thoughtfully, and the value of community support. Plus, hear inspiring success stories of those who transformed their approach from chaos to calm.

In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey Stanton tackles a question many marketers quietly ask: Is being a fractional CMO even a real job? Through sharp insights and personal reflection, Casey makes the case that the corporate "safety net" is long gone—and that the real opportunity lies in betting on yourself. He explores why today's market pressures—from AI disruption to global competition—are pushing corporate marketers to rethink their path, and how the fractional CMO model offers freedom, financial stability, and long-term upside. Casey shares the story of his father's career at IBM, lessons on mediating structures, and the mindset shift required to build your own future instead of relying on outdated systems. Whether you're in a corporate seat wondering if you're next on the layoff list or ready to lead multiple clients with confidence, this episode gives you a roadmap to independence, relevance, and sustainable growth. Key Topics Covered: -Why the corporate "safety net" is an illusion in 2025 -The hidden dangers of staying too long in a corporate role -How AI and global labor shifts are transforming the marketing landscape -What it really means to be a fractional CMO (and why it's safer than a 9–5) -Why commitment and community matter more than credentials -The future of fractional leadership—and why 2026 will be a breakout year -How to build long-term wealth and low-anxiety success as a CMO 🌟 Take the First Step Toward Growth with CMOx 🌟 Booking a call with our team is super easy, stress-free, and all about YOU. Whether you're exploring options or ready to scale, this no-pressure consultation is designed to understand your needs and guide you in the right direction. 📅 Schedule your call today: 👉 CMOx.com/call We'll make sure this is the most productive (and effortless) decision you've made for your business. Let's talk about strategy and success! 🤝 Join the Fractional CMO Community 🤝 Want to continue the conversation and get access to exclusive resources? Join our free Facebook group for fractional CMOs and marketing leaders! Inside, you'll find discussions, insights, and tools to help you grow your business and maximize your impact. 👉 CMOx.com/community Looking forward to seeing you inside! 🚀 🎙️ Stay Ahead with the Fractional CMO Show 🎙️ Want to unlock the secrets of marketing success? Subscribe to the podcast and gain exclusive insights from industry leaders and experts! 👉 CMOx.com/podcast Got questions? We'd love to hear them! Submit your questions for a chance to be featured on an upcoming episode: 👉 FractionalCMOShow.com Subscribe today and start leveling up your marketing game! 📚 Master the Game with These Must-Read Books 📚 Want to go deeper and build a high-impact marketing career on your terms? These two books from Casey Stanton are your blueprint. The Fractional CMO Method Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller. Learn how to attract, convert, and serve high-paying clients while staying focused on strategy and leadership. 👉 CMOx.com/book Find Your CMO Hiring a CMO? This guide helps CEOs and founders understand what great marketing leadership looks like—and how to find the right fit. 👉 CMOx.com/find-your-cmo Start reading and take control of your marketing future. Connect with Casey Stanton: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ Website: https://caseystanton.com/

In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey Stanton unpacks what it really means to build long-term commitments—in business, in life, and with your clients. He draws parallels between parenting, marriage, and marketing to show why real success as a fractional CMO doesn't come from chasing quick wins or stacking short-term contracts—but from committing deeply to the right people and problems over time. Casey shares how marketers can shift from being short-term "consultants" to long-term "farmers"—building stable, profitable relationships with just a few high-value clients. He explains why focus and consistency outperform luck and adrenaline, how "time under load" creates mastery, and why a calm, predictable business beats boom-and-bust revenue cycles every time. Along the way, Casey offers a reality check on the myth of easy money, guidance on setting and holding big goals, and a reminder that true freedom comes from discipline and depth—not distraction. Whether you're just starting your fractional journey or ready to stop reinventing yourself every 90 days, this episode is a must-listen roadmap to building a stable, fulfilling, and high-income practice for the long haul. Key Topics Covered: -Why short-term thinking keeps fractional CMOs stuck in reinvention -The shift from "consultant" to "farmer" and why long-term wins -How to build stable, multi-year client relationships -The power of "time under load" and deep mastery -Why three great clients beat 15 short-term ones -How focus and consistency outperform luck and hustle -The freedom that comes from calm, predictable revenue -Why discipline and commitment drive lasting success 🌟 Take the First Step Toward Growth with CMOx 🌟 Booking a call with our team is super easy, stress-free, and all about YOU. Whether you're exploring options or ready to scale, this no-pressure consultation is designed to understand your needs and guide you in the right direction. 📅 Schedule your call today: 👉 CMOx.com/call We'll make sure this is the most productive (and effortless) decision you've made for your business. Let's talk about strategy and success! 🤝 Join the Fractional CMO Community 🤝 Want to continue the conversation and get access to exclusive resources? Join our free Facebook group for fractional CMOs and marketing leaders! Inside, you'll find discussions, insights, and tools to help you grow your business and maximize your impact. 👉 CMOx.com/community Looking forward to seeing you inside! 🚀 🎙️ Stay Ahead with the Fractional CMO Show 🎙️ Want to unlock the secrets of marketing success? Subscribe to the podcast and gain exclusive insights from industry leaders and experts! 👉 CMOx.com/podcast Got questions? We'd love to hear them! Submit your questions for a chance to be featured on an upcoming episode: 👉 FractionalCMOShow.com Subscribe today and start leveling up your marketing game! 📚 Master the Game with These Must-Read Books 📚 Want to go deeper and build a high-impact marketing career on your terms? These two books from Casey Stanton are your blueprint. The Fractional CMO Method Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller. Learn how to attract, convert, and serve high-paying clients while staying focused on strategy and leadership. 👉 CMOx.com/book Find Your CMO Hiring a CMO? This guide helps CEOs and founders understand what great marketing leadership looks like—and how to find the right fit. 👉 CMOx.com/find-your-cmo Start reading and take control of your marketing future. Connect with Casey Stanton: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ Website: https://caseystanton.com/