CMO School

Anyone can put together a deck full of marketing recommendations. Building a strategy that actually feels like it came from a really good CMO requires a completely different level of thinking.Over the years, I've realized there are a handful of principles I come back to every single time I'm building strategy for a client. They've changed the way I make recommendations, how I work with founders, and honestly, how confident I feel making the calls I'm being paid to make.This week's episode is actually pulled from a training I taught inside Fractional CMO School, and I'm walking you through what I call the Six Laws of CMO-Level Strategy.In this episode, we're covering:The six laws I use when building high-level marketing strategy for clientsHow to start thinking like the person leading marketing instead of simply doing the marketingThe common mistakes that can make an otherwise solid strategy feel more junior or execution-focusedHow to develop stronger strategic judgment when there isn't one obvious "right" answerHow to make recommendations you can actually stand behind and communicate confidently to your clientsThe more you develop this way of thinking, the easier it becomes to walk into a business, see what's actually going on, know where to focus, and make the calls your clients are looking to you to make.And that's such a huge part of stepping into the CMO role with confidence. You trust your thinking more, your clients trust your recommendations more, and you start showing up as the person who can actually lead the marketing.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/ TIMESTAMPS:00:00 The 6 Laws of a CMO-Level Marketing Strategy01:14 How to Think Like a Marketing Leader01:55 Law #1: Think Like an Owner, Marketer Second05:25 Law #2: Your Client Is an Unreliable Narrator08:10 Law #3: Trust Your Strategic Instincts10:40 Law #4: Be a Leader, Not an Order Taker14:40 The Client Mistake That Taught Me to Speak Up16:35 Law #5: Right-Size Your Strategy to Their Resources18:50 Law #6: Know When to Zoom In & Zoom Out20:20 Stop Overcomplicating Your Marketing Strategy

Ever found yourself questioning whether you're actually good at marketing?Maybe you had a client launch go poorly, or they were unhappy with their marketing results. Either way…cue existential crisis. It doesn't matter how much experience you have – most marketers go through periods where they lose confidence in themselves. It's easy to assume the problem is you, when it’s usually just a mismatch in expectations.The more I've spoken to marketers over the years, the more I've realised this isn't just my experience. So many of us carry this around, but very few of us actually talk about it.In this week's episode, I'm unpacking:Why self-doubt is SO normal, even if you're experiencedThe three growth phases every business experiences AND what happens in marketing at each phaseThe framework I use to regain my confidence when I'm starting to feel imposter syndrome creep inIf you've ever found yourself lying awake wondering whether you've still "got it," or questioning everything after a few disappointing weeks, I really hope this episode reminds you that you're probably doing better than you think.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/ TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Do You Ever Feel Like You're Bad at Marketing?01:20 Why Even Experienced Marketers Lose Confidence03:00 The Real Problem Isn't Your Marketing04:20 Phase 1: Build06:45 Phase 2: Stabilize09:20 Phase 3: Grow11:10 Why Most Businesses Stay Stuck12:20 Ask This Before You Change Your Strategy13:20 Stop Measuring Success Against the Wrong Phase14:00 You're Probably Doing Better Than You Think

If you've built a successful marketing business, you've probably realised that making more money often means taking on more clients, more projects or working more hours.And at some point, you stop wanting that.The problem is, most marketers only see one obvious next step: build an agency. But that's not the right path for everyone.In this episode, I'm talking about the three different directions experienced marketers can take when they want to keep growing—and why I think the better question isn't, "How do I grow my business?" It's, "What kind of business do I actually want to build?"Because the business you build next should fit the life you want, not just your revenue goals.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/FRACTIONAL CMO START UP GUIDE: https://www.thecmooffice.com/fcmo-guideBOOK A CALL → https://calendly.com/the-cmo-office/fcmos-clarity-callTIMESTAMPS:00:00 How to Grow Without Working More01:10 The Question That Changes Everything02:35 Option 1: Become the Premium Solo Expert04:50 Why I Didn't Choose the Solopreneur Path06:10 Option 2: Build an Agency08:00 Why an Agency Wasn't Right for Me09:00 Option 3: Become a Fractional CMO11:20 Why I Chose the Fractional CMO Model13:00 Which Business Model Fits Your Life?14:10 Build a Business You Don't Want to Escape

Thinking about becoming a Fractional CMO but worried you'll be on Slack all day, stuck in back-to-back meetings, and responsible for absolutely everything?I hear these concerns from marketers all the time. And honestly? Almost every one of them comes from a misunderstanding of what the Fractional CMO role actually is.In this week’s episode, I'm breaking down:The 5 biggest myths that stop great marketers from stepping into the Fractional CMO roleWhy so many Fractional CMOs end up creating a business that burns them outThe difference between being a strategic leader and becoming another member of the marketing teamWhat the role should actually look like inside a client's businessAnd how to build a Fractional CMO business that's sustainable, profitable, and gives you the freedom you were looking for in the first placeIf you've ever thought, "I'd love to become a Fractional CMO... but I don't want to be responsible for everything," this episode is for you.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/TIMESTAMPS:00:00 The 5 Biggest Myths About Becoming a Fractional CMO01:05 Myth #1: You'll Spend All Day in Slack03:10 Myth #2: You're Responsible for Everything05:45 Why CMOs Lead Instead of Execute06:45 Myth #3: Every Client Emergency Is Your Emergency09:00 Myth #4: You'll Spend All Day in Meetings11:30 Set Boundaries Before Clients Set Them for You12:30 Myth #5: Clients Expect You to Do Everything14:15 Teach Clients How to Work With You15:35 Build a Fractional CMO Business That Gives You Freedom

What if you could leave your full-time job, work fewer hours, and nearly double your income - all while doing work you actually love?In this episode, I’m joined by Fractional CMO School alum Miranda Holland to talk about how she went from working 40+ hours a week, to doubling her income, working just 30 hours a week as a Fractional CMO.Before Fractional CMO School, Miranda found herself reacting to whatever marketing requests her clients had, instead of steering the process and strategy. Fractional CMO School gave her the framework she needed to step into leadership and create the spacious business she’d always wanted.In this episode we cover:The frameworks that helped her package, position, and price her expertiseWhat gave her the confidence to leave her full-time job and go all-in on her businessHow she realized she was undercharging – and how her perspective on pricing changedThe mindset and imposter syndrome work that came with becoming an entrepreneur and CMOWhat her business and life look like now that she has more control over her time, income, and capacityIf you’re curious about Fractional CMO School, and want to hear all about Miranda’s transformation from employee to Fractional CMO, you’ll love this episode.Ready to take the next step?If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO.🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/ TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Meet Miranda: From Corporate Marketer to Fractional CMO 02:30 Taking the Leap & Leaving Her Full-Time Job04:05 The Framework That Gave Her Confidence06:08 From Order Taker to Marketing Leader08:06 Building a Fractional CMO Offer09:41 The Results: Double the Income, Fewer Hours12:45 The Mindset Shift Behind Her Success15:38 Overcoming “Am I Qualified?” Imposter Syndrome17:02 Packaging & Pricing Your Expertise19:13 Why a Fractional CMO Can Be an Early Strategic Hire21:21 Stop Selling Tactics - Start Looking at the Big Picture22:34 Miranda’s Advice for Aspiring Fractional CMOs23:11 Why Fractional CMO School Was Worth It