It’s time to bring home bigger paychecks, create the lifestyle we deserve, and make a greater impact. Join host Casey Stanton on the Fractional CMO Show as he and his guests explore this growing industry and solve bigger problems.
In this insightful episode, Casey chats with Dawn, a longtime agency owner who saw the writing on the wall — agencies are losing their edge. Rather than wait for the industry to shift beneath her, Dawn took action and pivoted into offering high-level fractional CMO services. She shares how she navigated the blurry line between strategy and execution, why she separated her fractional work into a new business entity, and what it really takes to let go of implementation. From margin gains to mindset shifts, this conversation is a candid look at what happens when you stop doing favors and start owning your value. Key Topics Covered: - Why Dawn shifted away from the traditional agency model - The hidden cost of offering strategy for free - How fractional CMO margins compare to agency work - The mindset shift from “favor” to paid value - Educating clients on what a fractional CMO actually does - The impact of AI on agency services and media buying - Playing at a higher level by stepping into the C-suite
In this powerful episode, Casey sits down with Ben, a CMOx Accelerator member whose story is anything but ordinary. From shutting down an agency that no longer resonated with clients to becoming a high-performing, fully booked fractional CMO, Ben shares the pivotal mindset shifts, near-tragic car accident, and deep personal reflections that shaped his trajectory. You'll hear how he overcame limiting beliefs about success, leaned into strategy and leadership, and built a values-driven practice — even while recovering from a spinal fracture. This is an episode about resilience, reinvention, and redefining what it means to lead. Key Topics Covered: -Transition from a failing Drupal agency to a successful fractional CMO practice -Letting go of past professional identities and communities -Overcoming upper-limit beliefs around money and self-worth -Realizing value through strategy and leadership, not implementation -Recognizing the importance of community support and real conversations -Framing business success as a spiritual mission, not just financial gain
In this inspiring episode of The Fractional CMO Show, host Casey Stanton sits down with Rachel, a standout member of the CMOx Accelerator. Once working a traditional 9–5 marketing role in Tel Aviv, Rachel shares how one mindset shift—and one big client—catapulted her into a thriving career as a high-value fractional CMO. Discover how she overcame self-doubt, redefined her worth, and now drives powerful results for clients while designing a lifestyle on her own terms. If you're stuck in corporate or hesitant to charge your worth, this episode is your sign to think bigger. Key Topics Covered: -Rachel's background in high-tech marketing and transition from corporate life -How one client win changed her mindset about value and pricing -The importance of confidence and systemized delivery as a fractional CMO -Why being “impatient” actually helps her drive client growth faster -Building impact across clients, marketing teams, and customer outcomes -Shifting from task-based work to outcome-driven strategy -Embracing the “fractional” model across all areas of life -Why the world is moving toward fractional leadership—and why it's still early -Advice for women, mothers, and undervalued professionals stepping into executive roles -How Rachel doubled email open rates and aims to double her income next
In this milestone episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey Stanton sits down with longtime teammate and coach, Raphael Schwartzman, for a raw and insightful conversation on what really holds fractional CMOs back. Forget funnels and lead hacks—this episode dives deep into the inner game: identity ceilings, self-permission, and how your limiting beliefs could be capping your income and impact. Raphael unpacks what stops even high-performing marketers from reaching their next level—and how to break through it. Whether you're just starting your journey or feeling stuck at the 10k/month ceiling, this episode delivers the mindset shifts and coaching wisdom to help you unlock your full potential.
In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey Stanton walks you through the three distinct stages of becoming a successful fractional CMO: Getting Sales Ready, The Road to 10K, and Boardroom. He shares practical insights on building your offer, setting boundaries, overcoming internal roadblocks, and scaling your income and impact. Whether you're just starting out or ready to grow to six-figure months, Casey breaks down the mindset shifts and actions needed to build a lasting, profitable practice.
In this episode, we explore one of the most powerful and underutilized marketing strategies for fractional CMOs: the Short-Term Nurture Sequence (STN). This email campaign builds structure within marketing departments, reduces overwhelm, and converts long-tail leads into loyal customers over time. Learn how to craft a repeatable nurture system using four essential email types—without relying on fancy templates. Whether you're launching your first STN or refining an existing one, this episode gives you a practical roadmap to build trust, educate leads, and drive action.
Feeling stuck as a one-person marketing department? Casey lays out why the marketing technician is the must-have hire to level up your fractional CMO game. In this episode, you'll learn how to assess team gaps, find the right kind of marketing technician, and avoid the trap of doing all the implementation work yourself. Casey breaks down exactly how to recruit, train, and manage this key role—plus how to scale with AI and global talent without blowing up your client's budget. If you're serious about staying strategic and solving bigger problems, don't miss this. Here's what we talked about: - Why fractional CMOs need marketing technicians - GWC framework for evaluating team members - Delegation filters and training plans - Process vs. project-oriented technicians - Hiring process locally and globally - AI's growing role in implementation - Testing process to vet candidates
In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey Stanton dives into the key strategies for building long-term relationships with visionary entrepreneurs as a fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Casey shares actionable insights on how to support your clients beyond their business success, helping them achieve personal growth and create a bigger vision for their company. Learn how to foster loyalty, drive profitability, and inspire your clients to dream bigger while positioning yourself as an indispensable partner in their journey. Here's what we talked about: - How to become indispensable to visionary entrepreneurs. - Strategies for ensuring clients bring you along to their next ventures. - Differentiating between business success and personal success. - Creating a compelling vision that motivates teams and drives company growth. - Using bonus structures to align team goals with company outcomes. - Importance of EBITDA and profitability in sustaining business success. - Positioning the company as the number one in its niche or industry. - Rallying teams around a shared mission to outperform competitors.
Not sure if you're experienced enough to be a successful fractional CMO? In this episode, Casey Stanton breaks down what it really takes to step into the role. He tackles common doubts about age, experience, and industry background—proving that success isn't about years in the game but about solving bigger problems. Casey shares insights on why marketing teams are shrinking, how AI is reshaping the landscape, and why confidence rooted in intention is the key to landing high-paying clients. Here's what we talked about: Experience vs. perception and why problem-solving matters more than years in the field. How AI is reshaping marketing teams and creating more opportunities for strategic leadership. Debunking the idea that you need decades of experience to be effective as a fractional CMO. Why confidence should come from intention rather than past experience. How to succeed as a fractional CMO even without direct experience in a particular industry. Why taking time off for personal reasons doesn't disqualify you from leadership roles.
AI is moving fast—faster than we think. In this episode, Casey Stanton discusses the three major AI shifts that are already reshaping the marketing landscape. He dives into deep research tools, AI-powered voice agents, and the game-changing ability of AI to move beyond automation into real decision-making. What does this mean for fractional CMOs? Bigger opportunities, bigger challenges, and a chance to stay ahead before the market catches up. If you're a marketing leader looking to secure your future, this episode is a must-listen. Here's what we talked about: The rise of AI deep research and why it's a game-changer for marketers AI-driven voice agents and their impact on lead generation How AI is now training other AI models—what that means for businesses The implications of AI controlling computers (without APIs) Why marketing roles are shifting—and how fractional CMOs can future-proof their careers The importance of solving bigger problems and delegating everything except leadership
Are you actually running a business as a fractional CMO, or just going through the motions? In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey Stanton breaks down the difference between being in business and playing business. He calls out the distractions—like obsessing over websites, business cards, and LLC structures—that keep marketers from making real money. Instead, he shares the key to success: solving big problems, talking to check writers, and building deal flow. If you're ready to stop spinning your wheels and start landing high-value clients, this episode is for you. Here's what we talked about: The difference between being in business vs. playing business Common distractions: websites, business cards, and unnecessary LLC setups Why talking to check writers is the fastest path to success How to build real deal flow and attract high-paying clients Why dressing the part and fancy branding don't matter The power of community and surrounding yourself with high-level thinkers
What if making $81k a month as a fractional CMO isn't the dream you think it is? In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey uncovers the hidden challenges behind high-earning solo practices—and how to build a sustainable, scalable business instead. From avoiding burnout to leveraging AI, structuring client engagements, and pricing your services for long-term success, Casey shares the playbook for thriving as a fractional executive. Don't just chase revenue—build a career that lasts. Tune in now! Here's what we talked about: Why having too many clients in different niches leads to inefficiency. The challenge of context switching and why focusing on a niche is crucial. The evolving role of AI in marketing execution and business management. The downside of overspending on expensive tools and platforms early on. The shift from "fraction of the cost" to "everything you need." How to structure marketing teams efficiently for growth. Selling outcomes, not hours—why hourly rates diminish your value.
Struggling to stay ahead as a fractional CMO? Casey breaks down the power of concreteness—why understanding how things actually work makes you a stronger, more resilient marketing leader. Learn how to go beyond abstraction, delegate effectively, and solve bigger problems that drive real impact. From APIs and CRMs to building a high-value team, this episode is packed with insights to help you level up and lead with confidence. Here's what we talked about: The importance of concreteness vs. abstraction Delegating everything except leadership How to spot-check technical work without being an expert Avoiding reliance on a single platform (e.g., HubSpot) Focusing on strategy, not execution Hiring the right people and holding them accountable Simplifying marketing for better results
In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey Stanton dives into the realities of charging premium rates as a fractional CMO. Inspired by a recent discussion in the CMOX Accelerator group, Casey explores the mindset, strategies, and client selection process necessary to command high-ticket retainers. He is joined by multiple guests who share their journeys in transitioning from agency work to fractional CMO roles, overcoming pricing objections, and finding the right clients willing to pay $8,000+ per month. Whether you're new to the fractional CMO model or looking to scale your business, this episode will provide actionable insights to help you charge what you're worth and work with high-value clients. Here's what we talked about: Why premium clients exist and how to position yourself to attract them Understanding which industries can sustain high marketing budgets How ad spend and overall marketing investment correlate with your fees Shifting from execution-based services to strategic leadership Real-life case studies of marketers successfully making the leap The value of helping businesses build internal marketing teams vs. relying on agencies Closing high-ticket deals by positioning yourself as a problem solver
In this episode, we dive into the art of scaling down a traditional full-time marketing role into a high-impact fractional CMO engagement. Whether you're a business looking to optimize your marketing leadership or a marketing executive considering the shift to fractional work, this episode will provide you with actionable insights. What You'll Learn: ✅ The key differences between a full-time CMO and a fractional CMO ✅ How to identify the core responsibilities that drive the most value ✅ Strategies to streamline marketing efforts without sacrificing growth ✅ How to manage expectations and communicate effectively with stakeholders ✅ Tools and frameworks that help fractional CMOs maximize efficiency 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.
Casey shares a mindset shift crucial for long-term success, emphasizing commitment over quick pivots. Learn how to establish yourself as a leader, navigate challenges, and build a sustainable, high-paying fractional CMO career. If you're ready to go all in, embrace the highs and lows, and unlock your true potential, this episode is packed with advice to help you succeed. Here's what we talked about: AI's impact on marketing Rising value of fractional CMOs Commitment as the key to success Choose a niche that excites you Resilience through challenges Longevity lessons from industry leaders The “I'm here for it” mindset
Casey discusses the shift from marketer to fractional Chief Marketing Officer. He unpacks the 'why' behind the transition, explores the freedom and opportunities this career path offers, and provides steps to help you elevate your career. Learn how to define your value, land high-paying clients, and solve bigger problems—all while creating the lifestyle you deserve. If you're ready to embrace leadership, sharpen your focus, and unlock your potential, this episode is packed with insights to help you succeed as a fractional CMO. Here's what we talked about: The importance of understanding your "why" Selling marketing strategy and leadership, not implementation Ideal client profiles as a fractional CMO The power of making offers and overcoming fear of rejection Delegation and focusing on big problems as a leader Practicing future prediction as a fractional CMO Essential mindset shifts for fractional success
Casey goes into the powerful role belief systems play in success as a fractional CMO. He explores how limiting beliefs—whether self-imposed or adopted from others—can hold you back. Learn why taking risks is essential, how to align your mindset with your goals, and how to build a thriving fractional CMO practice. If you're ready to tackle bigger problems, deliver greater impact, and unlock your full potential as a marketing leader, this episode is packed with insights to help you get there. Here's what we talked about: Beliefs shape actions and outcomes. Challenging limiting, imposed beliefs. Taking risks to achieve growth and rewards. Persistently following up with potential clients. Building a supportive and aligned community. Resolving conflicts between competing beliefs. Trusting your current skills while improving. Actively pursuing opportunities and challenging doubts.
Title: Fractional CMO: Your Secret Weapon for Strategy, Leadership & High-Impact Teams In this episode, Casey unpacks what it means to be a fractional CMO, the responsibilities of this pivotal role, and why it's the ideal path for marketing leaders ready to tackle bigger problems and deliver impactful results. Whether you're curious about strategy versus execution, building a marketing team, or creating a thriving fractional CMO practice, this episode offers actionable insights to help you lead confidently and succeed in this exciting career path. Here's what we talked about: ● The key responsibilities of a fractional CMO ● Focusing on high-impact activities instead of day-to-day execution ● Building in-house marketing expertise to increase client value ● Choosing ideal clients who can afford and benefit from fractional CMOs ● Managing 3-5 clients for sustainable workload and income ● Leveraging AI tools for efficiency in strategy and operations ● The increasing demand for fractional CMOs ● Pathways to grow income and scale impact
Casey Stanton kicks off Season 2 of the Fractional CMO Show with an exciting update on his journey since the last episode in 2023. From personal milestones like buying a historic home to professional advancements such as launching CTOx, Casey shares why now is the perfect time to embrace the role of a fractional CMO. Discover how AI is reshaping marketing departments, why leadership remains critical, and how fractional CMOs can secure high-paying, fulfilling roles while solving bigger problems. Get ready to learn, grow, and thrive in the evolving marketing landscape. Here's what we talked about: Life! What I've been up to... My latest book "Find Your CMO" Launch of CTOx and the dynamic opportunities in fractional CTO roles Shrinking marketing departments and the rise of AI-driven tasks Why leadership and strategic vision will always require human oversight Predictions for the role of AI in the future of marketing Focusing on leadership and strategy rather than execution Building lasting client relationships and pricing services appropriately Avoiding the “agency trap” and maintaining high profit margins Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode! If you'd like me to answer your question on an upcoming episode, share your question at: https://cmox.co/podcast
Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. This week, Casey shares how you can start solving bigger problems by thinking bigger and eliminating the smaller things that keep you from thinking big. Takeaways: Thinking about your future requires you to break out of the mindset of linear growth. Strive to envision your future in more significant terms. Where do you want to be 25 years from now? Identify and solve big problems. Focusing on solving significant problems can lead to substantial progress. This includes not just identifying these issues but also determining the best ways to solve them. Find solutions for smaller problems that will either take care of them once and for all or can be outsourced so you keep your time and energy focused on solving bigger problems both in your life and as a Fractional CMO. To free up time for strategic thinking, delegate operational and routine tasks. It's essential to delegate tasks and not just responsibility, enabling you to focus on more high-impact work. By simplifying the ways that team members report to you, you can be more effective. Simplified reporting structures can also reduce the burden on leaders. A crucial role for Fractional CMOs is to predict the future using data. This involves staying ahead of trends, technology, and market shifts and being proactive in responding to them. Continuously monitor your market and industry. Be aware of changes and developments in your niche to stay ahead of competitors and adapt your marketing strategies. Quote of the Show: “Solving the problem isn't becoming an expert in every single piece of marketing technology; Solving the problem is identifying the problem and figuring out who can solve it.” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Shoutouts: 10X IS EASIER THAN 2X by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy Personality Isn't Permanent by Dr. Benjamin Hardy Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/xPxMCFSCmA8
Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. This week, Casey shares what he learned while at Copy Chief Live about the value that Fractional Chief Marketing Officers provide to their clients. Casey also dives into why your fractional clients need to be the leader of their marketing team rather than just another person who can complete small marketing tasks. Takeaways: Great copywriters understand the buyer's pain points and they can craft copy that highlights those pain points in such an emotionally impactful way that the buyer then wants to buy that solution to their pain points. Two things that aren't required for great copy are an amazing funnel and every copywriting trick in the book. Great copy should be able to stand on its own. For example, it could be part of a direct mailer, a long-form webpage, or a YouTube video. Fractional clients that are personally involved in delivering value for their customer needs their Factional CMO to come into their organization and be the leader of the marketing team. They need to lead the rest of the business, they don't have time to lead the marketing team. While you might be able to do X marketing task, it's likely a better use of time to have someone on your team address X task, so you can give the rest of the marketing team their assignments so you can solve bigger problems. For example, a military general should spend most of their time at the frontline of the battle with a rifle in their hand, their job is to devise the best plan to accomplish their goal. Likewise, a marketing leader's primary responsibility is making smart decisions, and they should avoid getting involved in every detail of marketing. Once you stop being the do-er of every marketing task and become the marketing leader that your fractional client needs you to be, you will become more valuable to them which will result in higher paychecks for you. Quote of the Show: “Copywriters matched with a good product team can make beautiful things happen.” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Shoutouts: Copy Chief Live - Event in Nashville, TN Kevin Rogers - Founder of Copy Chief Live Example of Video Sales Letter from Gundry MD: https://www2.enrichyourfood.com/video220413a_ap/?sessionid=1561352762079 Jeff Walker - Creator of the Product Launch Formula Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/xPxMCFSCmA8
Yes, going down rabbit holes can be fun, but it's usually not efficient. Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. This week, Casey delves into why the simplest solution is better than the complex, fun solution and how this applies to solving bigger problems for your client businesses. Takeaways: While you may enjoy complex solutions or processes if there is a simpler process that produces the same results, just with less fun, you should choose the simpler solution. If you are only being measured on delivering X result, then you should focus on delivering that result, rather than how creative you can make the process to get to that result. Uncover which specific outcome is the most important and concentrate on achieving that fundamental goal. For Fractional CMOs in particular, the outcomes that your clients want most are likely to be sales outcomes, not marketing outcomes. Don't get dragged down into the details of tactics used to achieve those outcomes, stay elevated so you can solve bigger problems. In the words of Leonardo da Vinci, "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." There is elegance in simple, effective solutions. For example, if you struggle to explain your client's core business, you should boil the concepts down further. Prioritize actions and strategies that directly impact customer acquisition and retention. These are fundamental to any business. Focus on mastering a few things well. It's better to do a few things in marketing exceptionally well rather than attempting to become an expert in everything all at once. Quote of the Show: “Don't do everything all at once, keep it really simple so you can maximize the results wherever you are.” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/7I5oIKLuOaA
What is the number one campaign to run when joining a new client as a Fractional CMO? Track EVERYTHING. Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. This week, Casey breaks down why you need to track every aspect of your marketing efforts, from traffic sources to conversions, and how to do it. Takeaways: Use UTMs: Utilize UTM (Urchine Tracking Metric) parameters to track the sources, mediums, and campaigns that drive traffic to your website. Consider using vanity URLs to easily redirect and track the effectiveness of specific campaigns or traffic sources. For example, fractionalcmoshow.com redirects to cmox.co/podcast. Implement a data warehouse to centralize and organize all collected data for better reporting and analysis. Attribute customer actions to specific marketing efforts to understand which channels are most effective. Don't rely on customers to tell you where they came from, use UTMs to know where they came from. Continuously monitor and review your tracking efforts to identify gaps and areas for improvement. While UTMs and site traffic don't need to be checked weekly, you should definitely be checking it at least every quarter. As a CMO, it's up to you to ensure that tracking and data collection are prioritized throughout the organization. Educate your team and clients about the importance of tracking, and make it a fundamental part of your marketing strategy. Tracking provides reliable data that will reveal valuable insights in the long term, helping to make informed decisions about marketing strategies. Quote of the Show: “Track literally everything you can.” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Data Warehouse: https://cmox.co/podcast/fractionalcmoshow-ep67/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/xPxMCFSCmA8
Next quarter is getting closer by the second, so what should you be thinking about now to set up your future success? Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. This week, Casey looks ahead to next quarter and shares the questions you should be asking as a marketing leader today to ensure your success in the future. Takeaways: Do your clients sell a product? A savvy CMO should be aware of supply chain issues, especially those related to manufacturing and shipping, as these can impact your clients' businesses. With Q4 looming, Fractional CMOs should proactively ask clients about their Q4 targets and what success looks like for them. This helps in preparing marketing strategies accordingly. If your Fractional client's business regularly experiences seasonal fluctuations, make sure that you are well-prepared to face them. What can you do now to make the most of the seasonal high when it hits to also help cover the impact of seasonal lows? If you know that a seasonal boom will require everyone on your team to go above and beyond and work late consistently, what can you do now to foster your relationship with them? For example, you could give them time off before or after the rush. Develop a “Die-on-the-Hill” marketing strategy that you can have full confidence in. This should be based on extensive research, planning, and conviction. Consider the growth goals of the CEO and determine the best path to accomplish them. If new information surfaces, you should examine it and then reassess your position. Build a future for your employees that can accommodate the achievement of their dreams and aspirations. If the future you paint for employees is too small, they will begin to feel stuck and boxed in by the ceiling of this future which will prompt them to look for other work. Your vision should be grand enough that employees can attain their goals within it. As a Fractional CMO, your job is to keep creating bigger outcomes. This means identifying what the executives want, distilling that into the marketing outcomes required, and then driving towards that. In essence, your job is to be challenged by the executive team to do X, figure out how to do X, and then execute your plan to achieve X. Quote of the Show: “How do you get to be a strong leader? Ask big questions from the executive team.” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/xis-nfwzkD0
Success as a Fractional CMO is rooted in having a healthy and balanced mindset throughout the ups and downs of life and business. Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. This week, Casey discusses how to cultivate a balanced and mindful approach in your Fractional CMO practice, why you celebrate your success in moderation, and the importance of practicing empathetic joy. Takeaways: Embrace the Buddhist concept of equanimity – maintaining emotional balance in the face of highs and lows. This mindset can help you navigate the uncertainties of the marketing world. Cultivate a sense of calm and levelheadedness during both successful and challenging times. This will enable you to make more rational decisions and manage stress effectively. Prepare for the highs and lows inherent in business. Recognize that being a Fractional CMO for multiple clients comes with highs and lows. Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally to handle both success and setbacks. Shift your focus from outcome-based success to the intention and effort you put into your work. This can help you stay motivated and resilient regardless of the immediate results. Celebrate your wins, both small and large, but don't rest on your laurels. Celebrating your efforts will boost your confidence and motivation to continue pushing forward. Embrace the learning process by remaining open to feedback and refining your strategies. This willingness to adapt and learn will set you apart as a dynamic marketing leader. Practice empathetic joy by genuinely celebrating the successes of your team members and colleagues. This fosters a positive environment and strengthens team relationships. Aim to find a balance between your professional and personal life. Prioritize self-care, family time, and hobbies, which will enhance your overall well-being and effectiveness as a leader. Quote of the Show: “Keep going and don't think that you will arrive. You're never going to be there. The moment doesn't last for long.” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/xPxMCFSCmA8
How do you innovate as the Chief Marketing Officer of a company that you are just stepping into? Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. This week, Casey discusses when CMOs should start to innovate, how not to innovate, and two approaches to finding novel solutions that enable your to solve bigger problems. Takeaways: There are few opportunities for a new CMO to innovate within the first quarter of their tenure. The focus of this period should be on aligning their team and ensuring person and role fit. A certain amount of triaging is also a necessary part of this stage. You don't innovate by copying others. It's impossible to copy what another company is doing and expect to be seen as the leader. By relying on copying them, you are always behind them. Rather than copying another company's actions, instead try to emulate how they think and approach problems. What do they hold to be true? What constraints have they put in place? By recreating their process of thinking, you can produce much greater results. A few ways to understand someone else's thought process include listening to their podcast appearance, watching their TED Talks, reading their blogs, or even examining their career. An important way to drive innovation is to have a process to follow. The first step of the process is to identify the problem. Next, define what success looks like. Then figure out how to innovate a solution to solve the problem and meet the success criteria. When innovating, try to look at the problem from every considerable angle to find multiple possible solutions. Also, consider the Kaizen approach that focuses on constantly making minor improvements, these will build to a great impact over time. Quote of the Show: “How do you innovate? It's not by copying what they've done, but trying to emulate how they think.” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Internet Archive website: https://archive.org/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/ThocrAzXcMg
You'll almost never force yourself to really take a risk and act boldly if you know you can just turn around and go home. Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. This week, Casey discusses the importance of fully committing to your choices, why you should start making changes now rather than later, and which mistakes you can learn from others so as not to follow in their poorly trod footsteps. Takeaways: Embrace the idea of committing fully to your goals. Burn the bridges behind you and remove any safety nets to ensure you're fully invested in your success as a senior marketing leader. Challenges and tough moments are valuable opportunities for growth. Although you might feel like you are hitting your lowest point, the adversity you face can lead to a reinvigorated belief in yourself and your capabilities. Don't wait for a critical moment of failure to spur action. Instead, proactively work towards your goals to avoid unnecessary stress and setbacks. Start making the changes you want to implement today, this will get you closer to your goal even faster. Look to successful fractional CMOs who have paved the way before you. Learn from their experiences to fast-track your own growth and success. Shift your focus from tasks to results. Prioritize projects and strategies that lead to tangible outcomes and impact for your clients. Develop a consistent and reliable pipeline of potential clients. Cultivate relationships and a strong reputation to attract new business opportunities. Stand out by offering something distinctive. Highlight your expertise, strengths, and specialized skills that make you a sought-after senior marketing leader. Quote of the Show: “The only path is forward and you have to build to get the outcome that you want. If you're willing to do that, you will be successful. It is inevitable that you'll be successful. It is inevitable that you'll work every day on it because you are excited about it.” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/cN8Q0bSegpk
What does it take to go from full-time employment to becoming a Fractional CMO? Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. This week, Casey discusses the risks associated with becoming a Fractional CMO and the amazing opportunities that make those risks worth taking. Takeaways: The first thing to think about when becoming self-employed is your healthcare insurance. In the United States, an adequate plan to cover yourself and your family, not to mention potential employees is expensive. Top policies can start at $600 per person, per month. As a Fractional CMO, you can choose what contract lengths to sell to your clients. You'll start out with 3-month contracts, but as you gain notoriety and recognition, these can increase to 6 or 12-month contracts. This lessens how often you need new clients. Being a Fractional CMO is about more than just achieving the same level of income as your current job or even exceeding that. By building out your Fractional CMO practice, which is really a service-based business, you can build a company with equity. Understand that being an entrepreneur comes with struggles, however, you have control over how everything is done. While there are ups and downs, the ups greatly outweigh the downs. Decide if you need autonomy in your career more than the safety of working for the same company for your career. Owning your own business as a Fractional CMO offers a limitless upside in terms of income, happiness, satisfaction, free time, and impact. Instead of pursuing low-profit, high-volume deals, you can prioritize landing a few high-value clients as a Fractional CMO. A small number of clients can generate a significant income. Aim to build long-term relationships with clients, renewing contracts and extending their contract duration over time. Consider specializing in a niche industry as a Fractional CMO. Look for industries where you can become the go-to expert. The early stages of these niches offer great opportunities for growth and establishing yourself as a marketing leader. Quote of the Show: “There are so many niches in industries that are available for someone to step in and become the defacto number one Fractional CMO. If you're listening to this, you're still early.” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/OgwggGLcX4Y
In order to execute your strategy for your fractional clients, you need to build a strong marketing team within their company to execute that strategy. Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. This week, Casey outlines why Fractional CMOs need to have a Marketing Technician on their team, how to mentally approach building your team, and when to hire full-time versus a contractor. Takeaways: As a Fractional CMO, a Marketing Technician is the minimum viable you need in order to get impactful work done. The job of the Marketing Technician is to execute the strategies you develop within a fractional client, which helps you focus on solving bigger problems. One of the most important decisions to make when hiring a Marketing Technician is whether they need to be local or if they can be remote. Hiring locally limits the available talent and often costs more. Marketing Technicians also have little prior experience. When looking for the right person to add to your marketing team, make sure they fit the culture of your fractional client and can be self-directed. If you find the right person, they can grow into a mature role, such as the Director of Marketing, and manage teams. Mentally, you should always be open to hiring someone if they would be a great fit, even if they currently have a job they enjoy. Expect the hiring process to take at least 45 days at a minimum. This encompasses every stage a candidate must work through from the interview process, giving their two-week notice, and finally starting work. For tactics such as SEO, PPC, and CRO, look to hire Tacticians that have specialized experience with their specific marketing tactic. While there is value in having full-time Marketing Technicians, it can be advantageous to hire specialized vendors as contractors. On the technical side of marketing, you would ideally have the budget to employ someone full-time. When looking for a developer, don't constrain yourself to only hiring people from one country or who are native speakers of your language. Offshore freelancers can provide cost-effective labor that is also extremely high quality. Quote of the Show: “The people that are available to be hired are oftentimes not the people you want to hire.” - Casey Stanton Shout Outs: Ad Skills Ad Leaks Indeed Upwork OnePassword Superpath Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Episode #063 - Zero Trust Environment: https://youtu.be/EuUbApppWnc Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/9u377fJ6E88
You don't get ahead in business by copying what successful people do, you get ahead by copying how they think. Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. This week, Casey discusses how to develop a better way of thinking by using three specific mental models: The Map is Not The Territory, The Circle of Competence, and First Principles Thinking. Takeaways: If you want to achieve the same success that someone else has, don't copy what they've done or what they're doing, copy how they think. For example, a company could copy a great ad from a competitor, but without innovating, they're always going to follow, never lead. Becoming a more innovative company at the forefront of the market requires a better way of thinking, rather than simply copying what already exists in the market. The first mental model is “The Map is not the Territory”. A map does not perfectly reflect every detail of a landscape, nor does your best strategy account for every nuance with your client. The simple ideas you want to deploy are not simple. The second mental model is the “Circle of Competence”. You need to know where your knowledge of a particular topic ends and higher experts in that field to do the work. It's good to have a base-level understanding of many topics so you know what to look for. The third mental model is “First Principles Thinking”. While new ideas are extremely exciting, before engaging with them, you need to check if they align with the basic ways to grow a business. Does this new idea help you gain new customers, grow the transaction value, or increase the frequency of repeat purchases? If not, you need to focus on other ideas that will fulfill one of those outcomes. Add these models to your mindset alongside solving bigger problems and delegating everything but leadership. Quote of the Show: “Improving your thinking will improve all areas of your life.” - Casey Stanton Shout Outs: Charlie Munger Jay Abraham Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/zaAGsnCjZBc
Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. This week, Casey shares how to get more stuff done without working full-time for your client. You'll hear about the importance of setting milestones, what you need for holding your team accountable, and how to construct self-sufficient teams that you can leverage. Takeaways: As a Fractional CMO, you are responsible for a wide variety of outcomes. Within a given day, you might be in charge of 80 hours worth of work being accomplished for a client. That is the equivalent of having ten direct reports all working eight hours a day. The two foundations to getting more done in less time are solving bigger problems and delegating everything except leadership. These two concepts are central to attaining success in both work and life as a Fractional CMO. A key tactic for Fractional CMOs is setting weekly or bi-weekly milestones that track to the progress of a quarterly goal for your team. Build a culture of candidness around the milestones to hold people accountable and find when to help the team if they're behind. To be an effective Fractional CMO, you need to build self-managing teams that can get stuff done and handle most issues. Successful Fractional CMOs with multiple clients don't micro-manage their teams, they support them from a high level. If you hear that someone on your team is off-track of their milestones, you need to reach out to them and ask how you can help them. This team member will be likely to reciprocate this action the next time someone is falling behind their milestone. Think of milestones as photograph-able outcomes, such as a webpage being built and deployed, X amount of emails sent, all of the collateral for a live event. Create milestones by breaking down the larger outcome into more manageable pieces As the CMO, it's not your job to think through every little detail of each campaign, live event, etc. Your job is to make sure that those details are thought through by someone, and you can then review their work afterward. Quote of the Show: “If you want to micro-manage people, you cannot be a Fractional CMO, have multiple clients, and be very successful.” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/invite The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube:
Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. This week, Casey dives into a component of executive coaching that you should use to develop both yourself and your team. Takeaways: When you come across a mistake, the employee who made it likely already feels bad about it, so it's not helpful to shame them for the mistake. Once the issue has been discovered, your first step should be to “take a photograph of it”. It's better to show your team what you saw than try to tell them a story about the problem. The next step is to ask your team what happened that led to this issue. You don't need an immediate answer to this, so give people a few minutes to think. The response you want to get is how this mistake happened rather than excuses for why it happened. Even when you know what the right answer is for fixing the problem, it will make a greater impact on your team if you ask them and give them the space to share the correct answer. Every member of your team is not always going to be perfect and they will make mistakes. The people you want on your team are those that will own their mistakes and fix them. When something breaks down, you have the opportunity to show up as the kind of leader that builds up their team and uses this mistake as a learning moment. During weekly team meetings, encourage team members to share how they fixed a problem. Quote of the Show: “I don't tell someone what needs to change, I ask them what needs to change.” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/invite The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Shout Outs: The Streisand Effect - Episode #053 - https://fractionalcmo.libsyn.com/the-streisand-effect-casey-stanton-fractional-cmo-show-episode-052 Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube:
Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. This week, Casey shares a helpful mental model to use when joining a new fractional client and needing to clean up their mismanaged data. Takeaways: There is a vast number of businesses that are trying to run all of their marketing through very basic tools. For example, some companies attempt to use Mailchimp, an effective email tool as their CRM. This results in poor reporting and missing crucial data. Fractional CMOs entering such a company often create a new way to organize the company's data to make it usable. As soon as they create the new structure, they incur a “debt”; the “debt” being all of the pre-existing data that does not follow the new structure. When implementing a new data structure, “net new” refers to the records created under the new format. For example, net new customer records could have tags related to their purchases, but if those tags are brand new then none of the older contacts have them. While there is no one solution for paying off the debt in the prior example, it is still something that you as a marketing leader need to tackle. It's imperative that you spend time thinking about how to balance the net new and debt. When you deploy something too early without considering the potential long-term implications that can come from the half-baked rollout. For example, if you wanted to use OAuth credentialling for customers across both Shopify and the company forum, but only rolled out the OAuth for the forum, customers would have to create a separate login for Shopify which creates friction. Quote of the Show: “You're the Fractional CMO, but the whole organization always looks at you as the CMO.” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/invite The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/usIAT9ke-C4
Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. This week, Casey is focused on discussing what CMOs need from their CRMs, the relationship between a company and technology, and how to build a strong marketing foundation in a company. Takeaways: When evaluating whether you should work with a client, it's important to examine their openness to using technology to help them improve what they do. It's much easier to work with a company that is open to adapting and using technology. The baseline for any company's tech stack is a quality CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool. While some companies will try to force a tool like Mailchimp into the role of a CRM, it's better to use purpose-made software. At its core, data warehousing refers to storing all of the data that could matter to your client in an organized, searchable way. Examples of data to store include lead origination date, lead source, contact information, purchase history, etc. The main criterion for a data warehousing solution that you need to consider as a CMO is whether you can easily access that data through queries. If you can't extract trends in the data or filter it, that solution has little practical value. The right data storage tool for you depends on your company but at the very least you should be able to track a lead's journey through the funnel. As the CMO, you don't have to be the one that handles every technical aspect of implementing a new MarTech tool. Delegate out the details so you can solve bigger problems. Quote of the Show: “I would much rather work with a company that was open to using middleware like Zapier to get stuff to happen than one who wasn't” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/invite The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/-Cy9Uj7nLJk
Sharing insights from his own marketing journey is Casey Stanton, the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. Casey explores what you need to do in your day-to-day in order to solve bigger problems and get paid for the amazing work you do. Takeaways: The bigger and more impactful the problem that you're solving is for a client, the more you'll be able to charge for your services. Your compensation is tied to the size and severity of the problems you solve. When companies like Deloitte are brought in to consult on how to fix a big problem, they're brought in because they are known for solving big problems. How do you position yourself to become known for solving big problems? One way to gain notoriety for fixing large issues is to stop solving small problems. To do this you can hire someone or outsource the labor. For Fractional CMOs, you really need to have a marketing technician as a direct report to tackle the issues thrown at you. You should be able to give your direct report marketing technician 15 minutes of instruction and let that inform their next 40 hours of work. For example, you would ask them to set up an email tool and then they would choose the right one and implement it. As a Fractional CMO, you need to make decisions that maintain a certain balance of speed and cost. While you never want to overpay, there are times when getting something done faster is worth paying extra for. When you think about solving bigger problems, try to globalize the problem and think about how you can remove it completely so that it never rears its head again. Even if there are small exceptions that need to be made down the line, get a process in place. When focused on the biggest problems, you provide the most value if you identify the critical KPIs to track, identify who owns those KPIs, and drive those people to deliver on those KPIs, every week, every month, and every quarter, that business will grow faster, with more predictability and less frustration. Quote of the Show: “The bigger the problem that you solve, the bigger the impact and the bigger the paycheck” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/invite The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/SrDbp5Vr_ec
Taking care of your mental health, along with your team's mental health, is critical to growing as a marketer, let alone a Fractional CMO. Sharing insights from his own marketing journey is Casey Stanton, the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. Casey dives into that ways to measure your own success, which type of goals will be most fulfilling for you once achieved, and why celebrating the micro-wins within your team is so important. Takeaways: Measuring yourself from where you are to how far you have to go to be successful will never get you there. Instead, create clear, tangible, and attainable goals and write them down. For example, instead of saying you want a half-million-dollar year Fractional CMO practice, write down specific income targets for hours worked. When you try to measure your success by working toward getting something like a watch, once you get the watch, it feels like a hollow victory because your eyes will now be fixated on getting some greater prize which will be equally as hollow. Don't think that because you don't have a case study as a Fractional CMO, you don't deserve a $10,000/month deal. If you're solving a problem that needs the focus of a $ 10,000-a-month Fractional CMO, you have to charge appropriately for your work. Your team should be looking to be responsible for more outcomes and increasingly challenging work. If you hire right and build a good culture, your team won't be reaming about taking a break after finishing a task, they'll be looking for what's next. It's important to celebrate your wins and create an environment where your team can do the same. Celebrate micro-wins and call out team members who contribute. Create a culture of support, respect, trust, and camaraderie within your team. For example, create a Slack channel called “Wins” and use it to highlight team members for exhibiting a core value, going above and beyond, or coming up with a great idea. Once you kickstart this channel, your team will start to highlight each other. Encourage your team to take time off and enjoy themselves, provided that outcomes are being met. As the Fractional CMO, it's not your job to micromanage each team member and their entire lives. Quote of the Show: “If you measure yourself from where you are to how far you have to go to be successful, you will never get there” - Casey Stanton Shout Outs: Nibir Das Charlie Munger Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/invite The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/jRkLkeqcLTA
Let's face it, successful email marketing is hard and there are a lot of nuances that go into doing it right. Here to demystify email marketing and guide you to peak conversion rates is Casey Stanton, the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. Casey shares great advice for anyone using email marketing as a channel including why they need a separate domain for emailing “Yellow Light contacts, what's required for a successful multi-part email campaign, and how marketers can improve their email delivery rates with one simple question. Takeaways: It's vital to protect the primary domain of your rational clients if you ever want to have any measure of success with using email as a channel. Spammy practices can get your domain blocklisted by your own email tool and by the recipient's email provider. The two biggest email and spam-related regulations that senders need to be aware of are CAN-SPAM and GDPR. CAN-SPAM applies to emails sent from or to email addresses in the US. GDPR applies to those in the European Union. For “Yellow Light” contacts with a higher risk of unsubscribing or reporting your email as spam, it's safer to send emails to them from a separate domain and email. This protects the reputation of your fractional client's company website and emails. To set up a separate email for “Yellow Light” contacts, you'll want another domain that is at least a week old. For example adding company.co if you have company.com. Set up a 301 redirect so any traffic to that website is sent to your actual website and add UTMs. The first email you send to a list is crucial. Know what outcome you want and build a multi-part email series to accomplish that. Multi-part email series should range from 3-5 emails with each successive email filtering out those that have taken the action. Write emails as if it's to your mom. People are more likely to engage with casual emails that are entertaining and enjoyable to read, rather than boring and dry corporate emails loaded with logos, links, and images. Consider timing and frequency when sending emails, ideally sending between 10am-3pm ET on Tuesdays-Thursdays for most businesses. This impacts email open rates, so it's important to choose the right time to send your emails for your niche. By asking recipients to reply to your emails, you can improve inbox deliverability and avoid being marked as spam. Quote of the Show: “You never want to email someone multiple times to ask them to perform an action that they've already taken” - Casey Stanton Shout Outs: MX Toolbox: https://mxtoolbox.com/ SEM Fresh & Spam Eating Monkey: https://spameatingmonkey.com/lookup MailerLite: https://www.mailerlite.com/ Sendinblue: https://www.sendinblue.com/ NeverBounce: https://neverbounce.com/ Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call/ The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/U92XEmY4i-Y
Safely securing your company's data has never been more important than it is now, especially in the wake of the LastPass hack. Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. Casey shares a few cyber security best practices for your fractional clients, the tech details that you actually need to know, and why your customers' data is the number one thing you need to think about as a Fractional CMO. Takeaways: As a Fractional CMO, you need to accept technology as a part of your day-to-day and lean into it. This does not mean you need to be an expert in tech and cybersecurity, but you do need to think critically from the outside. It's important to understand the basics of your clients' technological infrastructure. Are their servers in the office or in a data center somewhere in California? Who has access? The number one thing you should be concerned about as a Fractional CMO is customer data. This includes leads, customers, partners, and anything related to them such as purchase history. This data is typically in a CRM tool or data warehouse. If your customer only uses one username and password for all of their users, there won't be an audit trail linked to a specific user in case something bad was to happen. Everyone that works for your client should not have the same level of visibility and permissions which give them access to everything in a tool that the company uses. Using two-factor authentication is a great way to strengthen your clients' security. Two-factor authentication requires users to input a code that is sent to their designated cell phone after entering their username and password. Although it can be painful, a good way to keep your company's data safe and secure is to lock everyone out of everything and then give them access once they need it. Quote of the Show: “The first thing you have to do as a Fractional CMO is to lean into technology” - Casey Stanton Shout Outs: Troy Hunt - Industry-leading security researcher https://haveibeenpwned.com/ Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call/ The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube:
Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. Casey dives into the importance of putting constraints on your work hours and how hobbies can help you become a deadlier Fractional CMO. Takeaways: No matter what constraints you may have in your life you still need to get the same done. According to Parkinson's Law, work takes the time allotted. What constraints are you adding to your life so that you can work more efficiently? By adding artificial constraints to your work day, it forces you to have to get your work done in that time. However you have to fill that freed up time with something else, whether that be meditation, marathon training, or spending more time with your family. Ask yourself what you would do with your time if you worked half as much as you do now? Even if you never want to retire, imagine what you would do if you were retired. What would fill your time? Now think about what if you could do those things starting next month. When you add constraints on your time by scheduling time for yourself to delve into hobbies, you make yourself have to work more effectively and efficiently which will make you deadlier as a Fractional CMO. Quote of the Show: “The less time you have, the more pressure you'll have on yourself to get it right, be focused, and generate a great outcome.” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call/ The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/teUbxEhcnJI
Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. Casey explains why core values are important for Fractional CMOs and shares a few core values that you should instill in the teams you build and lead. Takeaways: Core values matter. They aren't just another form of weightless corporate speech. In practical terms, you should use core values to make hiring and firing decisions. Core values help put a name to the intangible behaviors and attitudes we believe in. If a team member is falling short on a core value, make it known to them and coach them up. If they ultimately don't improve and don't exhibit that core value, you need to let them go. When you let someone go, you give them an opportunity to find somewhere else that fits their core values better. This is better for them than trying to force themselves to fit your team's core values. Suggested Core Value 1: Solve Bigger Problems. This focuses your team on thinking about the outcomes of their actions and solving for “the big stuff”. When given an important outcome, they'll think big picture and find solutions that will work long term. Suggested Core Value 2: Get In The Foxhole. When a team member falls off track with an objective, the whole team surrounds them and helps them in any way they can and this should happen without having to ask. Getting in the foxhole also means that you as the leader are willing to the scrum of solving the problem when necessary to make sure that your team is able to put everything into achieving the set objective. Suggested Core Value 3: Always Enthusiastic, Always Positive. Your team should believe they are going to succeed, but have plans in place in case of failure. Your team should be enthusiastic about doing the work and the outcome. Quote of the Show: “I only want to work with people that are enthusiastic and positive” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call/ The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC
Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. Casey shares how you can create your own hallways, when you should use non-scalable tactics, and why you need to become a collector of ideas. Takeaways: Marketers generally look at the typical solutions to a problem and then decide which of those typical solutions is best. However, you can be much more effective if you bypass those solutions altogether. For example, cutting through a wall instead of picking a lock. Before figuring out how to solve a problem, first identify what you are solving for, then you can start thinking about the how. While scalable tactics are very important, when you first take over as the CMO, you should be looking for the non-scalable tactics you can use to get things jumpstarted. You can start scalable tactics that require lead time after you get the first few wins. Don't start with scalable solutions. Start with things that work and then see if you can scale them. When you come across a problem, step back and define what problem you are solving. Next, think about the typical ways a marketer would solve that problem. Once those solutions are out of the way, get creative and come up with an interesting way to solve it. When determining which problem to solve for your fractional client, identify which will have the biggest impact for your client and then think of the ways that you can solve it. Become a collector of new ideas and ways to do things. Pay attention to the way things are being offered in relevant marketing campaigns. Collect these ideas so you can test them for your clients down the road and scale what sticks. Quote of the Show: “When you step into a business as the CMO, your job is not to come up with marketing campaigns that are going to last forever and be super robust because oftentimes those campaigns have a lot of waste to get started.” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call/ The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Shout Outs: Bill Mason Dan Kennedy Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/NuCrTuVQYYI
Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. Casey shares what to consider when selecting clients as a Fractional CMO to determine if they could be a potential long-term client for you. Takeaways: When you are evaluating prospects, it's important to see if they have the potential to be a long-term client for you. The distinction to look for is whether they have a collection of offers or a business with more enterprise value. One example of an offer is a company that sells an individual product, such as car seats for dogs, where the success outcome is simply selling the product rather than a business with enterprise value. Business owners that provide an offer are usually very open to testing. They usually employ copywriters, funnel builders, and media buyers. The downside of offers is that they generally have a shelf life. Sometimes the shelf life can be a decade, while other times an offer's shelf life is a season. The two main reasons Fractional CMOs should avoid working with clients that provide offers are the chaotic energy that is inherent in offers and there is nothing of enterprise value being built. Without enterprise value, the business tends to be unsellable. One sign that a company has enterprise value is that it has a sales team. Two additional signals are that the company is making strategic relationships with other companies and that the company is investing in itself. An example of the latter is investing in a CRM. Quote of the Show: “If you are working with a company that does a couple million a year at a minimum and doesn't have a CRM, you're probably going to struggle” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call/ The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/MSGQZj2fyRs
Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. Casey shares how you can create space for your creativity to flow, how to clear your head, and the potential business benefits that can come from simply washing the dishes. Takeaways: Work doesn't need to be defined as doing something that is all-engrossing and that requires 100% of your focus. For example, listening to a podcast about copywriting while walking your dog can still count as work. Solving a problem or creating an idea isn't always possible if you're just trying to grind out the answer. In many cases, great ideas come when you step back from the problem and let your subconscious take a crack at it while you do something else. Some tasks, such as washing dishes, can be a chance for you to calm down and allow your mind to wander and explore creative ideas without constraints. Find what tasks you can accomplish that also let you meditate and make time for them. While in this meditative state, bring about an idea of something that you would like to improve. Think about that idea and let your mind wander a bit, but then bring yourself back to that idea or question and continue examining it. Come up with a great question and allow it to sit with you for a while so you can really contemplate it. Try using the “Morning Pages” exercise to clear your mind. To do this, grab a pen and paper when you wake up and write up to three pages of whatever is in your head, whether it be half-baked ideas, frustrations, to-dos, etc. Don't stress about the format. Quote of the Show: “I'm the Chief Dish Washing Officer in my home” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call/ The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Shout Outs: Gary Bencivenga - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-bencivenga-017b43b/ Brian Kurtz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-kurtz-a1934/ Titans of Direct Response - Marketing Industry event TWSBI 580 - Fountain Pen - https://www.twsbi.com/products/twsbi-diamond-580-clear-fountain-pen Ferris Wheel Press - Fountain Pen Ink - https://ferriswheelpress.com/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/7EyKzRLuDzE
Which clients feel the most effortless to provide value to? Once you figure that out, your work won't feel like work. Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. Casey discusses building on your strengths, how to effortlessly provide value as a Fractional CMO, and discovering your unique ability. Takeaways: Reflect on the mantra, “Serving you serves me.” The reason that you may feel that when you are providing the most value, it often feels like the least effort, is that you are in a state of flow. In a flow state, the activities you are doing seem effortless and unbound by time. Many people say that you should work on your weaknesses to become a more well-rounded person. However, if you work on your strengths, then you can become deadly at a few things and hire out or automate your weaknesses. The Confucianist concept of “wu wei” means effortless action. When you are in the flow of the work you are doing, that work won't feel like work, it will feel effortless. Regardless of what your strength and expertise are if you further build upon those strengths, you'll probably enjoy the learning and training you do to strengthen them. When you work with clients as a Fractional CMO building your team and identifying objectives, your approach will come from who you are and what brings you energy. There is no limit to how finite your unique ability or area of expertise is. For example, your strength could be solving high-level marketing strategy problems or it could be making picture frames for paintings. Quote of the Show: “When you provide the most value, it often feels like the least effort” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call/ The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Shout Outs: Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Dan Sullivan Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/YcfB_UOY6gg
If you've ever shuddered at the thought of having to go in to work the next day to work with a certain client, then you've felt the Sunday Scaries. Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. Casey discusses how the Sunday Scaries impact your work and your life, why you need to live life as your true self, and how to be compensated for the outcome of your work. Takeaways: The Sunday Scaries is that feeling of dread that comes over you when you realize that you have to go back to working for someone that you really don't click with. Although you know you'll do the work for them, it's just a slog to get through. When you feel the Sunday Scaries, it's a sign that things are off. For example, if a client is paying you well, but you really dread working with them, then you need to be prospecting for new potential clients so you can phase out this bad one. You need to have the courage to live a life where you are true to yourself. Don't let the expectations of others control your actions. If compensation is the main thing keeping you at your job, seriously consider if that is worth the cost of time spent personally, with your family, and enjoying life. There are other ways to attain the same financial freedom without sacrificing the rest of your life. As a Fractional CMO, you have the ability to choose the clients you work with. If you start working with someone and they give you the Sunday Scaries, you can move on from them and solve bigger problems with clients that you align with. If you do have the Sunday Scaries with your current work, put up better boundaries to separate your work and your personal life. Quote of the Show: “People on their deathbed would say that they didn't have the courage in their life to live a life that was true to themselves. They lived under the expectations of others.” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call/ The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/No7IbEBqCx4
When you're committed to taking control of your life and solving bigger problems, you might be ready to become a Fractional CMO. Hannah Sturgill is the Client Engagement Specialist at CMOx. Hannah explains the impact that hiring a Fractional CMO can have on a business, why commitment is crucial to success, and how to join the CMOx Accelerator. Takeaways The first step to becoming part of the CMOx Accelerator is a call with Hannah to make sure that you'll be able to get the most out of the Accelerator. The call is very low-stakes and Hannah asks basic questions mostly about your goals and marketing background. Becoming a Fractional CMO provides you with a great opportunity to make a real impact on companies and the people that depend on them. There are so many businesses that have reached a ceiling of complexity and need someone to help them move beyond it. Many of the marketers that have been impacted by the recent increase in big tech layoffs are looking to become Fractional CMOs because they see the need to become their own boss and diversify their income streams. Before taking on clients as a Fractional CMO or even pitching potential clients your services, make sure that you have the right frameworks to be successful as a Fractional CMO. One of the major draws to becoming a Fractional CMO is the ability to control your own schedule and choose to work whenever you want to. This is very appealing for parents who want to be around as much as possible during their children's formative years. If you're only looking for leads without also looking for a framework, you're not actually committed to the idea of becoming a Fractional CMO. You need to be willing to invest in yourself and your own business, not just in leads. Great opportunities come to those that are committed and willing to take risks. If you are committed, you can take control of your life and stop letting other people dictate your future. Quote of the Show: “If you're not super hungry, then it's a lot harder to put in the effort that it takes to be successful, so you've got to come into this with a full appetite” - Hannah Sturgill Links Hannah's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-sturgill/ Casey's Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton Casey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call/ The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Ways to Tune In Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/750vtUZlBpA
Making heavy decisions with large downstream impacts requires you to understand the possible consequences, which is tough to do without the right tools. Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. Casey expounds upon using the Streisand Effect as a mental model for Fractional CMOs to crack the tough questions that companies need them to solve. Takeaways: The Streisand Effect refers to the phenomenon that occurs when an attempt to hide, remove, or censor information had the unintended consequence of increasing awareness of that information. This frequently happens through the internet. As marketing leaders, when you are faced with certain situations, you need to ask if it is better to address the situation or stay quiet and let the situation pass by. Scenario #1: The wrong link is sent in a webinar email invite. Now, you need to decide whether it's better to reply with “CORRECTION - UPDATED LINK” or a lookalike email that will nest over the mistake because people will read the newest email. Scenario #2: Your client receives a negative Google review. If you get exposed for trying to bury it under fake reviews, your client is now known for lying on top of the bad review. In this case, you have to weigh the risks of ignoring it or finding a different solution. Scenario #3: Your client is hit with bad press and it's high in SERP. You could fight to get it taken down, but lawyers are expensive. Rather, if you can't politely get it removed, you could flood the search engine with positive content. These are the highly consequential decisions you have to make as a CMO. Being a CMO means solving bigger problems by taking accountability and owning the outcomes of their decisions. The Streisand is a powerful mental model that allows you to see the possible outcomes of a solution to a problem so that you can weigh whether or not it's worth the risk. Quote of the Show: “That's what it means to be a CMO. It means to solve bigger problems and be able to take accountability and own the outcomes of them” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call/ The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Shout Outs: Charlie Munger - Investor and Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/Mu13rkXsABw
Today's guest is Jon McMonagle, the Director of Enrollment at CMOx. Jon helps marketers become Fractional CMOs so they can solve bigger problems. In this episode, Jon shares where the growing demand for Fractional CMOs is coming from, why Fractional CMOs are not the same as consultants, and what lies ahead for fractional work. Takeaways The range of companies that are now looking for Fractional CMOs has grown drastically over the past few years. Although the early demand came from B2B SaaS companies, now legacy businesses that have existed for decades are looking for Fractional leaders. A driving force behind the increased demand for Fractional CMOs is private equity firms that have analyzed the business model and are looking for the insights of a CMO without paying someone a full-time salary. Once a Fractional CMO establishes a relationship with a private equity firm and shows them the results they are looking for, that private equity firm will often introduce the Fractional CMO to their other ventures and become a valuable referral partner. Many seven to eight-figure businesses have traditionally thought that a CMO would be inaccessible due to their salary demands, however, through the fractional model, these companies can now get access to the crucial marketing leadership they need. The difference between a Fractional CMO and a marketing consultant is that consultants come in to fix a marketing problem and leave, whereas a Fractional CMO comes in to fix a structural problem and they tend to stick around with their clients. Becoming a Fractional CMO is so much more than just doing run-of-the-mill marketing work. The role requires you to provide not only strategy but also leadership. If you are a great marketer but you can't lead, you're going to struggle to be a Fractional CMO. While marketing tactics will change and become more complex in the future, the strategy and value proposition of a Fractional CMO will become more important. Quote of the Show: “A Fractional CMO will come in to solve a structural problem, it just happens to pertain to marketing” - Jon McMonagle Links Jon's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-mcmonagle-b8694b180/ Casey's Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton Casey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call/ The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Ways to Tune In Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/__IobgHWMbU
There are things that you do and do not have control over in all aspects of your life and business. Thankfully, there is someone to light the path for you and your clients. Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. Get ready to learn about what Fractional CMO have control over and what they don't, how to get ahead of future problems, and why using a timeline can make both you and your team more effective. Takeaways: Dualism is the idea that you can hold two competing worldviews at the same time. Because of how interconnected all things are, you can perceive the duality of something as opposed to only wanting one thing to be one way. A Fractional CMO has control over what they choose to focus on and the energy of the team they build around them. However, Fractional CMOs don't have control over things like CPM changes or platform errors. The job of a Fractional CMO is complex because of the downstream impacts of your decisions. This is why it's vital to take a deep breath and determine the most important problem that you can focus on. Which problem, if solved, has the biggest outcome? For example, the most important problem could be the thing that generates cash the fastest, stops the bleeding the fastest, or it might be the thing that is the long-term fix, like SEO, but it's going to take a long time. Use a timeline based on months and quarters. Assign major outcomes that are tied to specific dates on this timeline to your team and let them do the work. This allows you to oversee an outcome rather than manage individual tasks. Make you know, as a Fractional CMO, which outcomes have some wiggle room for their completion date. For example, a product launch will probably have a firmer deadline whereas for other projects you can extend the deadline. Try using the stoic practice of Negative Visualization to think about all of the things that are in your control and what would happen if they stopped working. Then, you can pre-emptively solve those potential problems or at least have a plan in place. Work on strengthening your prediction muscle by predicting how long things will take you. Even predicting the completion time small things like grocery shopping will help you hone your skills. Quote of the Show: “People ask, is it hard to be a CMO? And the answer is, it's not that it's hard, it's just that the downstream outcomes of the decisions I make or you make impact more things.” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call/ The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Shout Outs: Already Free by Bruce Tift Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/4ImcwwtVMWk
Step back and use this episode as a chance to reflect on your career, where you came from, where you are, and where you are going. Casey Stanton is the Founder of CMOx, a Fractional CMO, and author of the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, The Fractional CMO Method. In this episode, Casey outlines the 7 Stages of Commitment for Fractional CMOs, how to use the 7 Stages to view your own career, and how to make it through the Challenging phases to reach what is on the other side. Takeaways: There are 7 stages of commitment to being a Fractional CMO. They are directly related to the 7 stages of long-term partnership developed by Jayson Gaddis. The 7 stages are Courtship, Infatuation, Challenge, Collaboration, Security, Expansion, and Ending. In the Courtship phase, marketers are thinking about what it would be like to leave the noise and responsibility of an agency. They're thinking about an easier route where they don't have to deal with things they dislike, such as finance or legal departments. New Fractional CMOs often face the Challenge phase when they realize they need to go out and win business. While they identify as Fractional CMOs, if they are only serving one client, their perception and reality are misaligned. The way through the Challenge phase for Fractional CMOs is to build a pipeline, have a confident sales process, and regularly go out and win new business to fill out your desired roster of Fractional CMO clients. For most, serving 2-5 clients works best. While your Fractional CMO engagement with a client may start as a 90-day arrangement, your intent should be to build a long-term commitment. The effort involved with constantly rotating in new clients will crush you, so make sure you thrill your clients. Establishing financial security for yourself and your family comes after you have made it through the Challenge phase. Your financial security as a Fractional CMO comes from your pipeline and your predictability in being able to serve clients Quote of the Show: “You are exactly where you're supposed to be right now. It's a fact. Everything that's in front of you is an opportunity for you if you choose to jump on it” - Casey Stanton Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyStanton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/ CMOx Website: https://cmox.co/call/ The Fractional CMO Method: https://cmox.co/book/ Shout Outs: Jayson Gaddis - Founder of The Relationship School Derek Sivers - Founder of CD Baby and Author Your Music and People by Derek Sivers Wired for Love by Stan Tatkin Ways to Tune In: Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/039bc2d6-c1b5-4ced-ac2a-437e69546e7c/fractional-cmo-show Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fractional-cmo-show/id1592740671 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1HGwnjsXA4c4gYQvj4w53E?si=bd6e0908e25749ec Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmFjdGlvbmFsY21vLmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNz?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlpNDTveb0AhUXEFkFHaZcDtYQ9sEGegQIARAC YouTube: https://youtu.be/-H0RKtgsFEE
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