Fractional CMO vs. Marketing Consultant vs. One-Time Strategy: What’s the Right Fit for Your Business?

Dana Fluegge
Aug 5
3 min read

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether you need a marketing consultant, a fractional CMO, or just a solid marketing strategy to follow, you’re not alone. Many small and mid-sized business owners reach out to us unsure of what kind of support they actually need and what each option really entails.

Let’s clear up the confusion so you can confidently choose the level of marketing support that will help you grow without wasting time or money.

Option 1: Marketing Consulting (You Do the Work, We Guide the Way)

Best for: DIYers who want expert support, accountability, and direction without handing off the reins.

Marketing consulting is ideal if you want to stay hands-on with your marketing, but know you need clarity and expert guidance to make it effective. Think of it as marketing coaching we meet with you regularly, provide training and direction, and offer ongoing advice so you’re never second-guessing your next move.

We’ll do light research, help you course-correct when things aren’t working, and provide frameworks to help you make better decisions. But the implementation? That’s on you or your team.

What you get:

Regular strategy calls (weekly, monthly or quarterly)
Customized guidance
Research and insight
Accountability and support
Ongoing remote support

Option 2: Fractional CMO (We Build the Strategy and Lead the Execution)

Best for: Growing businesses ready to scale but not quite ready for a full-time marketing hire.

A Fractional CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) brings executive-level marketing strategy, leadership, and oversight without the full-time price tag. When you hire us in this role, we step into your business as a high-level partner. We develop a comprehensive marketing strategy with your input, then lead your internal or external team to carry it out.

It’s more than consulting, it’s active leadership and management of your marketing efforts. You’ll get high-level strategy, coordination, and hands-on involvement that drives results.

What you get:

Full strategic marketing plan tailored to your business
Ongoing leadership and marketing management
Direct coordination with your team or vendors
Clear KPIs and reporting
Strategy refinement over time
Deep involvement in decision-making and execution

Option 3: One-Time Marketing Strategy (A Roadmap + Support to Get Moving)

Best for: Businesses that want to start strong with a plan, but don’t need long-term involvement (yet).

If you’re not ready to commit to ongoing consulting or a fractional CMO, but you do need clarity, this is your best bet. Our one-time service delivers a 20+ page custom marketing strategy that outlines exactly what to do, why, and how.

We’ll develop your strategy based on research, goals, and competitive insights and then we’ll support you for 60 days afterward to help you implement and adjust. It’s like getting a marketing brain in a binder, plus two months of backup.

What you get:

A custom 20+ page marketing strategy
Defined goals, audiences, channels, and messaging
60 days of follow-up support
Ideal for annual planning, new launches, or rebranding efforts

Which One Do You Need?

If you’re still unsure, here’s a quick way to think about it:

You might need...	If you...
Marketing Consulting	Want to stay hands-on but need guidance, training, and strategic advice
One-Time Strategy	Need a clear plan and short-term support but aren’t ready for a long-term commitment
Fractional CMO	Want an experienced strategist to take charge of marketing and lead your team

The Bottom Line

Marketing can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to do it all alone or when you’re not even sure what “doing it right” looks like. Whether you need coaching, leadership, or just a solid plan to follow, we’re here to help you take the next best step for your business.

Noble Fox Media is a full-service marketing agency. We manage all digital, print, and community-based marketing campaigns for small businesses, churches, and nonprofits. We specialize in custom strategy and reject cookie cutter marketing. Let's build something great together.

Reach out to work together!