I'm watching an epidemic destroy startups Reader-

Last week I heard another founder tell me: "We spent $1M+ on marketing. Got $0 return."

One culprit? "Fractional CMOs" who are actually junior marketers (or deep specialists) with fancy titles.

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I've been a tech startup CMO since 2022. Started full-time SaaS, went fractional after my second child for flexibility.... 20 years building marketing for tech companies. B2B, B2C, D2C. Every stage.

Here's what terrifies me → Specialists are calling themselves fractional CMOs without the breadth to actually perform at the executive level.

The result: Founders waste massive budgets. Real businesses get hurt. The entire fCMO category suffers.

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That's why today I'm sharing my 9-point reality check before hiring ANY fractional CMO.

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• Leadership Experience: Look for at least 8 years in marketing, with 5+ years in leadership roles.
• Industry Knowledge: They should understand your product, market, and customer behavior inside and out.
• Cross-Channel Expertise: Proven success managing campaigns across multiple marketing channels.
• Hands-On Skills: Experience in at least 8 out of 10 key marketing areas, like paid media, SEO, and growth marketing.
• Startup Experience: Ensure they’ve worked with startups at your exact stage (pre-revenue, scaling, etc.).
• Execution & Strategy Balance: Ability to plan and execute, not just oversee from the sidelines.
• Team Fit: Strong communication skills to align with all levels of your organization.
• Availability: Confirm they can dedicate enough time to your business.
• Results Tracking: They must back up their claims with measurable results and case studies.

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When you’re trying to find a fractional CMO, you need to make sure they bring the right skills and experience to the table. As someone who’s been on both sides of these conversations, I can tell you these nine criteria will help you evaluate every candidate effectively.

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Each one is a simple yes-or-no check. If they don’t meet the standard, they’re probably not the right fit for your business. Learn more about each of the 9 criteria by reading the full blog post here.

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All the best,
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Lillian Pierson, P.E.

Founder & Fractional CMO @ Data-Mania

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P.S. Most "fractional CMOs" fail 6+ of these. With respect to tech startups, I meet all 9. As a solopreneur, I'm selective about clients. But if you need REAL executive marketing leadership... I have room for one new client in October. Drop your details in this form and let's see if there's a fit.

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