As an eCommerce business owner, you might feel like you’re stuck in the weeds of marketing, trying to manage multiple channels, contractors, and campaigns. You’ve got doers, but no strategic thinker to connect the dots between your efforts.
You’re not alone. Many businesses like yours are juggling a patchwork of freelancers and junior staff. While they’re great at executing tasks, you’re left to fill the gap between strategy and action, which sucks up all of the time you could be spending on long-term initiatives. This is a huge roadblock to growth.
Hiring a part-time Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) is an efficient, cost-effective solution. But I know from working with my own clients that it can be daunting to find the right person. Before you start googling, “Where can I find a part-time CMO?” and head down the rabbit hole, here are a few things to keep in mind.
The Case for a Part-Time CMO: Why You Need More Than Just Doers
It’s common for businesses to hire a bunch of different specialists, from media buyers to marketing managers to content creators. But what often gets missed is someone at the helm, steering these efforts in the right direction. Without strategic oversight, your marketing can become fragmented, leading to disjointed messaging and wasted budget.
When you hire a part-time CMO, also known as a fractional CMO, you get access to an executive-level leader who can oversee your entire marketing ecosystem. This person isn’t just a doer—they’re able to see the big picture, ensuring your campaigns aren’t siloed. They’ll develop a comprehensive strategy, coordinate efforts across platforms, and guide your team to success, so you don’t have to.
Where Can I Find a Part-Time CMO?
There are agencies that will match you with a part-time CMO, but often these services come with high finder’s fees or markups. Instead of going through a middleman, or middlewoman, you can hire a part-time CMO directly from an experienced eCommerce marketing agency like Martin Marketing. This lets you avoid extra costs while still getting top-tier expertise.
The Real Issue: Is It Marketing or Operations?
Many eCommerce businesses blame marketing when sales stagnate. But sometimes the issue isn’t marketing at all—it’s operational inefficiency. Are you spending on full-time staff to handle tasks that don’t require full-time attention?
For example, if you have a full-time operations manager but only ship one day a week, that’s a huge cost inefficiency. By hiring a part-time CMO, you’ll not only get marketing leadership but also someone who is immersed in your business. They can spot inefficiencies in other areas, ensuring your budget is allocated where it will have the most impact.
The Solution: Strategic, Scalable Marketing Leadership
Hiring a part-time CMO goes beyond your marketing campaigns. It also means having someone who understands how each element of your business affects the others. Whether you need help setting up scalable workflows, streamlining processes, or reallocating budgets, I can provide the strategic oversight that junior-level team members and freelancers can’t.
Additionally, as an expert in measurement marketing, the first thing I do is audit your current marketing initiatives and reporting tools. Then, I create a custom, interactive marketing dashboard that provides a flow of accurate, up-to-date data that’s easy to interpret and act on. You can make more informed decisions when you have clear attribution and can see exactly what’s working and what’s not.
From there, I build and execute a cohesive, data-driven strategy that brings all your marketing efforts together —Google Ads, email marketing, social media ads, and more. Instead of dealing with a typical eCommerce marketing agency or multiple contractors, I’m your single point of contact, keeping you in the loop without overwhelming you.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’ve been wondering, “Where can I find a part-time CMO?” or “How do I hire a part-time CMO who can manage it all?” consider working directly with a seasoned expert. With over two decades of experience, I offer part-time CMO services designed to maximize your marketing spend, reduce inefficiencies, and help your eCommerce business scale sustainably.Skip the finder’s fees and go direct—your marketing and your business will thank you. Book a consultation today!
