Fractional CMO Show

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/

In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey Stanton dives into what it really means to work as a fractional CMO—and why sometimes that means rolling up your sleeves and doing the work yourself. He's pulling from years of real client experience, from managing multi-million-dollar launches to helping clients navigate gaps in their teams, and he's calling out the patterns he sees: overextending yourself, letting scope creep happen, and trying to do everything instead of delegating strategically. Casey shares straight-up stories from his work—like stepping in when a key team member's paternity leave threatened a project, or designing a custom data workflow to connect a client's CRM systems. These examples show the fine line between having fun, experimenting, and solving problems that only you can solve as a CMO. Key Topics Covered: -How to handle scope creep without burning out -When it makes sense to roll up your sleeves—and when to delegate -Building systems and teams to work smarter, not harder -Using curiosity and play to maintain an edge and stay sharp -Leading through hard times, not just easy wins -Structuring fractional CMO engagements for maximum impact -Why fewer clients and bigger problems equal better outcomes and higher fees 🌟 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 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/

Dive into the secrets of running a successful fractional CMO practice without the clutter! Discover the difference between the lean Solo Pringle model and the team-oriented Scalable Brand. Learn to keep your tech stack minimal with essential tools like Google Workspace and Zoom. Unlock insights on attracting high-value clients, simplifying contracts, and focusing on leadership rather than implementation. Casey's journey reveals that true freedom comes from simplicity and strategic thinking, making this a must-listen for aspiring fractional CMOs.

In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey explores the one quality that separates successful Fractional CMOs from those who struggle: focus. Drawing from real-world lessons, he explains why chasing shiny objects, people-pleasing, and taking on low-value work keep you stuck, while persistence and clarity push you toward building a thriving practice. Casey shares stories and insights from his own journey, showing how staying focused on strategic leadership—not tactical execution—helps Fractional CMOs land better clients, earn more, and make a bigger impact. This is an episode about choosing the right work, protecting your energy, and committing to the path that leads to long-term success. Key Topics Covered: - Why focus and persistence matter more than talent or timing - The hidden dangers of people-pleasing and "busy work" - How dabbling in side projects stalls your growth - The difference between tactical execution and true strategic leadership - Why conversations with decision-makers create more opportunity than vanity projects - How to structure your days around what actually moves the needle 🌟 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 🎙️ 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? Submit them for a chance to be featured on an upcoming episode: 👉 FractionalCMOShow.com 📚 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 Connect with Casey Stanton: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/caseystanton Website: caseystanton.com

In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey Stanton lays out why Q4 is the single most important season to land (and keep) high-paying clients—and how to set yourself up for a record-breaking 2026. He breaks down the mistakes that sink most aspiring fractional CMOs, like offering implementation services or acting like a "pirate" with client budgets, and shares why building a solid foundation of strategy and leadership is the only way to scale past $10K/month. You'll hear stories of CMOs in the accelerator earning $50K–$80K/month while working fewer than 40 hours a week, plus Casey's framework for raising your floor, specializing in the right niche, and saying "no" to the wrong clients so you can unlock massive upside. Whether you're just starting out or ready to punch up to seven figures, this episode is your roadmap to making Q4 the launchpad for your best year ever. Key Topics Covered: -Why Q4 is the true hiring season for serious CEOs -How to build a solid foundation without slipping into implementation work -Why keeping 95% of your revenue changes everything -The "pirate" trap that leaves CMOs broke (and how to avoid it) -How to niche down so clients see you as the only option -What raising your floor really means—and how it instantly filters out bad clients -The difference between hustling for 20 clients vs thriving with 3–5 high-value ones -How to secure upside beyond your monthly retainer 🌟 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/