Why Is Fractional Marketing Increasing? (5 Great Reasons)

In competitive markets such as Chicago, making a business stand out from its competitors is no small feat. As a result, many businesses turn to a Chicago fractional marketing agency to help establish themselves in their markets. Fractional marketing offers many advantages, and more and more firms are noticing.

This article explores five compelling reasons fractional marketing is becoming more prominent as a strategic marketing approach. It discusses the following:

• Gaining expertise and cost-efficiency
• Finding flexible marketing solutions
• Harnessing specialized expertise
• Gaining an objective perspective
• Reducing time-to-market

Ready to learn more? Let’s go!

Wondering what a Fractional CMO can do for your business? Watch this video below.

1. Gaining Expertise and Cost-Efficiency

Cost always plays a pivotal role in business decisions, particularly in marketing, where budgets can quickly spiral out of control. This is where a Chicago fractional marketing agency shines. Instead of hiring a full-time Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), businesses can engage the services of a fractional CMO. 

Why is this option more cost-efficient? The answer lies in the nature of the role. A full-time CMO earns a salary that is usually hefty, reflecting the importance and complexity of the position. In addition to the base salary, benefits, bonuses, and sometimes stock options can further increase the cost. 

On the other hand, businesses can save considerably when working with a fractional CMO. They are typically engaged hourly, so companies only pay for the hours the CMO works. This approach makes the hourly rate of a fractional CMO far more economical, especially for small to medium-sized enterprises. 

Lower costs do not mean compromised quality. Fractional CMOs have robust skills and industry experience, ensuring businesses get top-level marketing insight and leadership. 

So, in essence, businesses can acquire the expertise of a seasoned CMO without bearing the full cost of one. This factor significantly influences Chicago's growing popularity of fractional marketing agencies.

2. Finding Flexible Marketing Solutions 

The business environment is always changing, with demands and needs changing. A company's marketing activities might need to be increased one time and scaled back the next. The fluid nature of these needs makes flexibility crucial. This is another area where a Chicago fractional marketing agency can provide immense value.

Fractional marketing allows businesses to scale their marketing efforts up or down as needed. A fractional CMO can adjust accordingly if a business is expanding, contracting, or experiencing seasonal fluctuations. 

A fractional CMO can increase their hours during busy periods, such as a new product launch or a major campaign. At the same time, they can reduce their hours during quieter periods and  focus on planning and strategy.

In contrast, businesses with a full-time CMO or marketing department lack this flexibility. They have fixed costs associated with full-time salaries, regardless of whether the business's marketing needs are at a peak or a lull.

This level of flexibility is particularly beneficial for Chicago businesses, where the market is competitive. The ability to respond quickly to changes can make a significant difference.

3. Harnessing Specialized Expertise

A big reason for many Chicago businesses to hire a fractional marketing agency is the rich expertise they offer. These agencies have teams with a wide variety of skills: 

• Search engine optimization
• Content creation
• Public relations
• Social media management
• Digital advertising

Take, for example, a medium-sized restaurant in Chicago that wants to build a strong internet presence. Knowledge of social media marketing and search engine optimization (SEO), among other abilities, is required to achieve this goal. They might also want someone skilled at developing material appealing to their target audience.

Fulfilling these needs is where a fractional marketing agency can make a huge difference. If the restaurant works with an agency, they gain access to different marketing skills as and when needed. 

Instead of hiring multiple people, the business pays an agency for the precise services it needs, making marketing more efficient and effective.

4. Gaining an Objective Perspective

Another advantage to hiring a fractional marketing agency is the fresh, unbiased perspective it can provide. Having an external view of your business can uncover areas for improvement that an internal team might overlook. 

Consider a Chicago-based tech start-up that has an in-house marketing team. The team, fully immersed in the daily operations and corporate culture, develops a marketing strategy they believe is effective. However, their close involvement might make them blind to potential gaps or improvements. 

On the other hand, a fractional marketing agency can objectively analyze the start-up's marketing efforts. Being outside the company, they can see what the in-house team might miss. They can identify underperforming aspects of the marketing strategy and suggest changes. This outside perspective often leads to golden ideas and winning strategies.

A fresh set of eyes from a fractional marketing agency can uncover new opportunities. It can offer innovative solutions, making your marketing strategy more robust and effective.

5. Reducing Time-to-Market

Finally, a fractional marketing agency can drastically reduce a company's time-to-market. In today's fast-paced business world, timing can make or break a campaign's success and, ultimately, a company's revenue.

With help from a fractional CMO, businesses can quickly implement effective marketing strategies. The CMO’s comprehensive understanding of market dynamics allows them to make quick yet informed decisions.

Suppose a Chicago-based e-commerce store intends to introduce a new product line. A traditional in-house team might take months to design, strategize, and execute a marketing campaign. However, a fractional CMO can streamline this process.

The wide-ranging expertise of fractional CMOs allows them to quickly identify the best marketing channels. It also enables them to develop a compelling messaging strategy and oversee its prompt execution. As a result, the e-commerce store can introduce its new product line to the market faster, gaining a competitive edge. 

In effect, a fractional CMO can boost revenue by accelerating marketing efforts and reducing the time it takes a product to reach the market. The quicker a business can introduce its offerings to potential customers, the sooner it can generate revenue. This rapid time-to-market is a powerful advantage in the competitive Chicago business landscape.

Summing Up

A fractional marketing agency presents many advantages for businesses striving to make their mark in the ever-competitive landscape. The strategic decision to engage with fractional marketing can pave the way for meaningful growth, agility, and profitability. 

Ready to harness the power of fractional marketing for your business? Contact Digital Authority Partners today, and let us guide you to marketing success.