Achieve Business Growth With Leading Marketing Consultants

If you're aiming to accelerate growth but facing stalled momentum, skill gaps, or internal roadblocks, you're not alone. Many mid-sized companies have a clear vision, but lack the right marketing expertise to bring it to life. That's where our fractional marketing consultants step in.

With decades of hands-on experience, our Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) work closely alongside your leadership team to identify commercial opportunities, develop effective strategies, and drive measurable results.

CEOs often reach a turning point—one where they must pause and ask: Is our marketing strategy truly delivering the results we need? It's a necessary moment of reflection, especially when the ROI from email campaigns, events, digital ads, or wider brand efforts fails to justify the cost.

If your marketing efforts aren't producing the results you expected, it's natural to reassess your approach and consider alternative options. You may wonder whether your current team has the bandwidth to scale or if a new kind of leadership is needed to unlock growth.

That's often when CEOs start exploring new models, like bringing in a Fractional CMO or strategic marketing consultant who can lead from within and drive measurable results.

Understanding your options starts with clarity. Below, we've outlined key definitions and strategic considerations around different types of marketing consultants so you can choose the right solution for your business:

Marketing Consultants: Experts who assess, develop, and refine your marketing approach to align with growth goals and improve results across the funnel.
Marketing Consultant Company: A team-based model offering access to multiple marketing experts, often with broader capabilities than a solo consultant.
Business Marketing Consultants: Professionals focused specifically on tying marketing initiatives directly to business objectives and bottom-line impact.
Independent Marketing Consultants: Solo practitioners who offer flexible engagements, often specializing in niche industries or specific marketing disciplines.
Executive Marketing Consultants: Senior-level strategists, such as former CMOs, who bring deep experience and leadership to drive high-level marketing transformation.
Marketing Consultant Outsourcing: The practice of bringing in external marketing leadership—part-time or project-based—to augment internal teams without the overhead of a full-time hire.

When your growth strategy isn't delivering the results you expected, the issue often lies in the alignment—or lack thereof—between planning and execution. A skilled marketing consultant brings the strategic perspective and outside insight needed to bridge that gap.

By assessing your market position, identifying missed opportunities, and refining your messaging, they help craft a smarter path forward.

Beyond planning, a marketing consultant can also guide implementation, ensuring your team executes on high-impact activities instead of spinning wheels on tactics that don't scale. Whether you're recalibrating your go-to-market approach or facing challenges with positioning, segmentation, or demand generation, the right consultant can create clarity and momentum.

But not all consultants work the same way. For mid-sized businesses that need leadership, not just advice, a Fractional CMO can offer a more embedded and accountable solution.

Is A Fractional CMO Better Than A Traditional Consultant?

A Fractional CMO is a senior executive who joins your leadership team part-time to lead marketing strategy and drive results from the inside out. Unlike traditional consultants who advise from a distance, Fractional CMOs operate as embedded leaders, bringing executive-level experience, market insight, and full accountability for execution.

At some point in every company's development, a deep, strategic examination of marketing performance isn't just helpful, it's essential to reaching the next phase of growth. It's far too critical to entrust to a mid-level manager or a freelance consultant. What's needed is executive horsepower and a proven system to turn strategy into traction.

This is where a Fractional CMO delivers unmatched value.

They don't just generate ideas—they ensure those ideas are executed. A Fractional CMO collaborates across departments, leads internal teams, and oversees agency partners to ensure alignment and momentum. From strategic planning through optimization, they stay engaged, building systems your team can sustain long after the engagement ends.

Traditional consultants, by contrast, often operate at a distance, offering recommendations without taking ownership of the project. Without someone accountable for follow-through, even the best strategies can stall. That's why CEOs of mid-sized companies turn to Chief Outsiders. Our CMOs lead from within, accelerate results, and leave your business positioned for scalable, long-term growth.

At Chief Outsiders, we start with a conversation on your schedule, centered on your business. During this call, you'll have the opportunity to share your goals, challenges, and identify areas where you see growth opportunities. We'll listen closely, ask thoughtful questions, and begin identifying where strategic marketing leadership can make the most significant impact.

Whether you're looking to reposition your brand, generate leads, or align sales and marketing, this step helps us understand exactly what success looks like for you.

After understanding your goals, we handpick one or more fractional CMOs with the right mix of industry experience, marketing expertise, and leadership style. These are not random pairings; they're carefully matched professionals who can quickly understand your business and contribute from day one.

You'll meet the candidates, ask questions, and evaluate both cultural fit and strategic alignment. The final decision is yours, but we guide the process to make sure you find someone who feels like part of your team, not just another outside consultant.

Once your CMO is selected, we move into the planning phase. Together, we create a tailored statement of work that outlines clear priorities, specific objectives, and timelines for delivery.

This plan details how your CMO will contribute, whether by leading your team, supporting external partners, or managing key strategic initiatives. It also features a transparent cost structure and defines what success entails at each stage of the engagement. With everyone aligned from the start, your marketing strategy gains structure, accountability, and measurable momentum.

With the agreement in place, your fractional CMO is ready to hit the ground running, often within just a few days. Engagements are flexible and structured month to month, so you get senior-level leadership without the burden of a long-term contract.

Unlike traditional marketing consultants who operate at arm's length, your CMO becomes an embedded member of your team. They bring not just strategy, but also execution—leading initiatives, aligning teams, and delivering measurable outcomes from within. It's fast, focused support that's built to make an immediate impact.

Elevate Your Business With Chief Outsiders’ Executives

At Chief Outsiders, our Fractional CMOs don't just advise—they lead. Embedded as part of your team, each executive brings deep industry experience, strategic focus, and full accountability for results. They're not external observers; they're growth partners committed to helping you maximize return on every marketing investment.

Your CMO guides every aspect of your marketing strategy, from high-level planning to tactical execution, while empowering your team to carry on with confidence after the engagement ends.

Here's what a Chief Outsiders Fractional CMO can contribute:

Business plan development aligned with growth goals
Marketing strategy design and implementation oversight
In-depth market and competitive analysis
Product development and positioning strategy
Target audience identification and segmentation
Messaging, communications, and customer experience optimization
Social media strategy and brand presence
Performance tracking and ROI analysis

Growth-minded companies know that smart marketing drives measurable results. Our executives bring the leadership, discipline, and insight to transform your marketing function into a true growth engine, one built to perform now and scale for the future.

How Chief Outsiders’ Expertise Offers A Competitive Advantage

Not all marketing consultants are created equal. While many firms offer advice, very few bring the strategic depth, operational experience, and hands-on leadership that Chief Outsiders delivers. Our Fractional CMOs act as true partners. Rather than staying on the sidelines, they integrate into your organization and take responsibility for turning strategy into results.

Here's how Chief Outsiders stacks up against traditional marketing consulting services:

Marketing Consultant Company

Chief Outsiders isn't your typical marketing consultant company. While traditional firms often operate from the outside looking in, our fractional CMOs become fully engaged and integrated members of your executive team. They take a holistic view of your business, working with leadership to uncover insights, shape brand identity, and guide the development of effective marketing strategies.

But what truly sets us apart is experience. Our CMOs don't come from careers in consulting; they come from operating roles in real businesses. They've held the reins, led teams, and driven growth in more than 70 industries. That means they're not just offering advice; they're bringing practical, battle-tested leadership to every engagement.

Business Marketing Consultants

Chief Outsiders' CMOs offer more than surface-level marketing advice. They deliver end-to-end business marketing expertise designed to support long-term growth. Each engagement begins with a deep understanding of your overall objectives and revenue goals, ensuring every marketing move aligns with your broader business strategy.

As experienced business marketing consultants, our CMOs bring proven expertise in areas like market analysis, product positioning, customer segmentation, and messaging strategy. They also help optimize communication channels, enhance customer experience, and define metrics that clearly tie marketing performance to ROI.

What makes our approach different is the focus on sustainable impact. We don't just solve immediate challenges; we equip your team with the tools, frameworks, and strategies to sustain momentum long after the engagement ends.

Freelance/Independent Marketing Consultants

The rise of the gig economy has made it easier than ever to hire independent marketing consultants or freelancers for short-term needs. Many of these professionals are capable, especially when focused on tactical execution or one-off marketing projects. However, most operate without formal vetting, and their level of experience can vary widely. While they may offer attractive rates, they often lack the strategic depth required to build and lead a comprehensive marketing function.

Our Fractional CMOs are seasoned executives with extensive industry experience and a proven track record of driving transformational growth. Every CMO is vetted, matched to your business, and backed by a national team of marketing leaders. With more than one person, you get a built-in brain trust, featuring proven methodologies and executive-level execution from day one.

Executive Marketing Consultants

Only Chief Outsiders offers a nationwide roster of "been there, done that" marketing leaders—each one a C-level executive with real-world experience leading growth inside operating companies. Whether your focus is pipeline generation, departmental leadership, go-to-market strategy, or improving speed-to-decision, your Chief Outsiders CMO is ready to take on your toughest growth challenges.

You'll be matched with a seasoned, vetted executive who fits your industry and culture. Unlike traditional consultants, they don't just advise from the sidelines. They become a part-time member of your senior leadership team, driving strategy, leading execution, and taking full accountability for outcomes.

When choosing a marketing consultant to align with your C-suite, it's critical to work with someone who has sat in your seat, someone who understands the pressure to perform, the need to lead cross-functionally, and the importance of delivering results. With Chief Outsiders, you get more than perspective. You gain a trusted partner who brings structure, speed, and momentum to your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Even seasoned executives have questions about fractional CMOs and marketing consulting. The answers below address the topics we hear most often, from responsibilities and costs to timing and fit, so you can make an informed decision with confidence.

What Are The Responsibilities Of A Chief Marketing Officer?

A CMO is responsible for the strategic growth plan of the company and for supporting that growth roadmap through the marketing engine. They're also charged with building that engine with the appropriate resources and tactics, overseeing the execution, and scaling the business for growth.

What Should I Expect From A Marketing Consultant?

When hiring a marketing consultant, you should expect a level of expertise and insights that is greater than what you currently have on your team. Look for a marketing growth strategist who understands your industry, with skills and experiences that align well with your business, and the industries and markets in which you compete.

How Does A Marketing Consultant Work?

A marketing consultant serves at the direction of the CEO and typically embeds with the executive management team that runs the business. We work very closely with stakeholders to lead the growth strategy, as well as the construction and execution of the marketing engine.

How Many Hours Does A Marketing Consultant Work?

The allocation of hours from your marketing consultant is dependent upon the services you need and the percentage of time you are contracting for. Unlike CPAs or attorneys, marketing consultants don't count hours down to the fraction. Instead, they dedicate themselves to your business in the same way that a full-time member of your executive team would, just in a part-time format.

Why Do I Need A Marketing Consultant?

You likely need a marketing consultant if your growth has stalled, your business is experiencing growing pains, or if you are dealing with competitive pressure.

Additionally, if you are entering a new market, you may find that your existing marketing engine is less productive. CEOs tend to hire marketing consultants when they reach an inflection point – realizing that they are spending a lot of money on marketing, but are unsure of, or unable to measure, ROI.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Marketing Consultant?

Many marketing consultants do not charge an upfront fee for leading a needs assessment or discovery process. Suppose it is determined to be a fit. In that case, marketing consultants are typically compensated via a monthly retainer, based on a percentage of the CMO's time required and multiplied by the number of months they'll be involved in the engagement.

How Do I Find A Good Marketing Consultant?

Start by identifying your biggest marketing challenges. Then look for a consultant with C-level experience in your industry, a results-driven approach, and a clear alignment with your culture and goals.

Bring Trusted Marketing Experts To Your Company

Finding the right marketing partner can be a daunting task. With so many options—freelancers, consultants, agencies—it's difficult to know who can actually deliver strategic value and measurable growth. At Chief Outsiders, we make that choice easier.

Our team includes more than 100 seasoned Fractional CMOs hand-selected from the ranks of the world's leading B2B and B2C companies. These executives are battle-tested leaders who know how to embed quickly, align with your vision, and get results. Each CMO is personally invested in your company's success, helping to shape and lead the strategies that matter most.

Known for driving significant results, our Fractional CMOs have served on the leadership teams of over 1,000 growth and mid-sized companies. With a Net Promoter Score more than 2.5 times the industry average, our impact is both proven and measurable.

It’s time to bring instant talent and deep expertise of Chief Outsiders to your business. Contact us at 866-805-7705 to discover the ideal marketing leader and begin accelerating your company's growth today.