How a Chicago FCMO Helps Grow SMBs

When it comes to great places for small and medium-sized businesses to set up shop and grow — Chicago, Illinois, is a standout spot. With its cutting-edge technology sector mixed with a diverse population, the Windy City’s booming business scene is one to look out for.

Over the years, Chicago has become a hotspot for SMBs. But with the competition becoming fiercer than ever, standing out from the crowd has become a tall order. 

One effective way to do so is to seek the help of a Chicago fractional CMO who can transform your company into a thriving and sustainable venture.

Understanding FCMO Power for SMBs

Fractional CMOs are marketing pros with high-level experience and leadership. Here are a few reasons why an FCMO is a must-have at your company.

Industry Expertise

Fractional CMOs have a strong grasp of multiple industries. Regardless of what field you’re in, these marketing professionals make a big difference with solutions that skyrocket growth and leave a lasting impact.

Their experience working in various industries has allowed them to be adaptable to any scenario. Whether it’s patient acquisition in healthcare or eCommerce website optimization to boost sales, each solution is perfectly customized to answer industry-specific challenges. 

Some of the many industries that benefit from leaning on fractional marketers include:

• Healthcare
• Finance
• SaaS (Software-as-a-service)
• Professional services
• Legal
• Education
• eCommerce
• Nonprofit
• Manufacturing
• Government

Network Access

Coupled with an FCMO’s expertise is a wide network of resources. These may include fellow professionals, consultants, or industry contacts who could provide additional support should you need it.

This network consists of not just fellow marketing professionals but specialized tools and the latest technologies that could be useful to your campaign. You won’t need to search far and wide for extra help because the FCMO can provide it immediately.

Increased Scalability

When market fluctuations happen, a company should be ready to change as well. With a fractional CMO leading the way, a team can reallocate resources to accommodate these changes. This provides more flexibility and makes it easier to respond to business requirements and market demands.

Some examples of this may be forming specialized teams to handle specific tasks or hiring new employees to accommodate increased customer demand during peak seasons, such as the holidays.

Cost-Effectiveness

Since fractional CMOs work part-time, it doesn’t cost as much to hire them compared to a full-time CMO. You receive top-tier marketing services at a fraction of the cost, which is a huge money saver for businesses with smaller budgets.

A fractional CMO also maximizes limited resources and budgets. They direct these funds into higher-value channels and initiatives to ensure a greater return on investment and avoid wastage. You can rest assured that every cent is well spent.

Comparing an FCMO with a Chicago fractional marketing agency: 

• If you want high-level leadership akin to the leadership of a C-suite executive but on a part-time basis, an FCMO is for you. 
• A Chicago fractional marketing agency is your go-to if you don’t have a marketing team or your marketing team is spread a bit thin. An agency is staffed with a team of marketing professionals, each with specific skill sets like SEO, PPC, content marketing, and more.

How a Chicago Fractional CMO Drives SMB Growth: 5 Ways

Medium-sized businesses benefit from having a fractional marketer at their service. Continue reading to learn the steps a fractional CMO takes to contribute to your company’s success.

1. Assess Your Needs and Set Goals

Before a fractional CMO can work their magic, your company should identify its current needs and objectives. Remember to set SMART goals and KPIs that set the stage for measurable success.

This helps the FCMO come up with the ideal marketing plan that answers company-specific challenges. This involves allocating resources to the right places, training the team, and optimizing digital marketing channels (SEO, social media, email marketing, PPC, etc.)

• SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound)

Example of SMART Goals: Small Business Marketing

• Specific: Increase brand awareness for my store by improving social media engagement.
• Measurable: Increase Instagram followers by 30% and increase engagement (likes, comments, shares) by 20%.
• Achievable: Post 3 times a week (and run one Instagram ad campaign per month) and reach a larger audience with hashtags.
• Relevant: Growing my social media presence will increase site traffic and sales.
• Time-bound: Accomplish all this in the next 3 months

2. Strategically Plan and Execute Marketing Campaigns

A fractional CMO and your marketing team can identify and outline your company’s specific goals and challenges and then work together to find a solution. 

Whether it’s re-designing your website to boost traffic or rolling out a new pay-per-click advertising (PPC) campaign, FCMOs carefully design campaigns around your company’s unique products, brand identity, and target audience.

3. Write Content for Search Engine Optimization 

When it comes to small business marketing in Chicago, no one has bigger ideas than a fractional CMO. They maximize the power of various digital channels to enhance brand visibility and drive conversions.

One of the best ways to build up brand awareness is with search engine optimization (SEO). To target your specific area, an FCMO can lead your team or work with a Chicago local SEO agency to identify the location-specific keywords that match the user’s search intent.

Content marketing is another powerful method FCMOs use in tandem with SEO to engage audiences. Content builds trust and helps establish a company as one of the top players in the industry. 

Various types of content include:

• Blog articles
• Case studies
• Newsletters
• Videos
• White papers
• Infographics
• User-generated content

4. Use Social Media for Communication

Fractional CMOs also utilize social media to interact with users as if they were simply chatting with a friend (brand voice dependent). Constant communication helps bridge the gap between customer and business, strengthening relationships and loyalty. This can be in the form of sharing user-generated content or replying to direct messages and comments.

Social listening tools help keep track of brand-related keywords, mentions, conversations, and customer reception. This real-time information also helps you monitor trends, respond to feedback, and improve your reputation online.

5. Measure Success and Returns

After all marketing plans have been executed and released, your FCMO looks at the results and feedback. The KPIs you set in the beginning will help you determine if your campaign was a success or not. 

The FCMO reviews many different factors, such as conversion rate, click-through rate, number of impressions, sales increases, and more. These also give insights into what areas succeeded and what areas need improvement for the next campaign.

It’s YOUR Time: Small Business Marketing in Chicago

Chicago is a flourishing city where small and medium-sized businesses thrive. If you’re an SMB based in Chicago, hiring a fractional CMO is the way to go.

Here at Digital Authority Partners, we connect you with the best of the best. There’s a reason we were named the Top SEO Agency in Chicago and Top PPC Company in Chicago by Clutch (among our other awards).

Let’s get started with your free consultation with our Chicago fractional experts.