A full-time chief marketing officer is a big commitment for a growing business. A fractional CMO gives you senior marketing leadership for a fixed number of days each month, without the cost and risk of a full-time hire. Here is what that looks like in practice, and what it costs with me.
What I charge
My fractional or advisory engagement is ₹1,50,000 per month (about $1,580 at ₹95 = $1). It includes four dedicated days a month working for your business, plus daily availability on calls so you can reach me when a decision cannot wait.
What a fractional CMO actually does
- Sets the marketing strategy and ties it to revenue goals, not just activity.
- Directs your team or agencies, reviews their work and holds them accountable.
- Owns the numbers. Decides what to measure, reviews results and changes course.
- Allocates budget across channels and cuts what is not working.
- Helps you hire and brief the right people and vendors.
Fractional CMO vs full-time CMO
A full-time CMO brings daily presence and deep immersion, but also salary, benefits, a long search and the cost of a wrong hire. A fractional CMO brings the same level of experience on a flexible basis. It is usually the better fit when your marketing needs direction more than a full-time department.
Fractional CMO vs monthly retainer
My monthly retainer (₹75,000 to ₹1,50,000 for 10 to 25 hours) is for ongoing consulting and review. The fractional role is deeper: dedicated days each month and daily access, so I work inside your decisions, not alongside them. If you mainly need a senior sounding board, a retainer is enough. If you need someone to lead marketing, choose the fractional role. See all my rates in digital marketing consultant cost in India.
Who it suits
- Founders running marketing themselves who are now stretched too thin.
- Companies with an in-house team or agencies but no senior leader above them.
- Businesses preparing for growth, a launch or a new market.
When not to hire a fractional CMO
- You have no budget to execute. Strategy needs people or vendors to carry it out.
- Your product or offer is not ready. Marketing cannot fix that.
- You want someone to do all the hands-on work. That calls for an agency or a team.
Questions to ask before you commit
- How many days and hours are dedicated, and what counts as available?
- What will be delivered in the first 30 and 90 days?
- How will success be measured?
- Who owns the accounts, data and creative?
- How easily can either side end the arrangement?
Next step
If you are weighing this up, a 30 or 60-minute session is a good way to start. It is currently offered at a discounted, one-time introductory price. Book a call, or read consultant vs agency and how to work with me.