Fractional Marketing And How It Can Help Small Businesses
Marketing is proven time and time again to help small businesses gain new leads and sales. It shines a spotlight on a business and gives them a competitive edge compared to other small businesses that don’t focus on marketing. However, for a small business owner, the proposition of hiring a marketer can be expensive. On the other hand, handling marketing alone can feel overwhelming and takes time away from running the business.
So, what’s the solution? A fractional marketer – a part-time marketing expert who provides strategy and execution without the overhead of a full-time hire.
What Is A Fractional Marketer?
A fractional marketer serves as an outsourced marketing director or strategist. They differ from consultants or project temps in that their scope of work is more in-depth, with greater responsibility, while still keeping a business’ budget in mind.
Here are their typical responsibilities:
Strategic Expertise – One expert to create for your business custom-tailored marketing plans, strategies, and campaigns.
Execution – Dependent on your budget, this person can also directly create and manage a variety of marketing channels for you. This can extend to social media, advertising, branding, graphic design and communications.
Thus, the small business gets the expertise when and where they need it. This precision approach allows small businesses to truly focus on what matters for their business with respect to marketing.
How A Fractional Marketer Differs From A Consultant Or Freelancer
Fractional marketers are the unicorn marketer most small businesses are looking for – oversight and execution. Consultants often give advice but leave the business to do most of the work on their own. Or, they charge per project. Freelancers complete specific projects, often focusing on only the goals of that particular project; they are not looking or creating the overall business marketing plan.
Fractional marketers ensure that marketing strategies are planned, and executed effectively, streaming through one voice and one vision.
How Small Businesses Can Benefit
More affordable than a full-time hire – businesses are able to hire top-tier marketing support at a fraction of the cost.
Scalable and flexible – businesses can adjust hours or focus areas as the business grows or needs change.
Immediate impact – minimal training is required for an expert marketer; meaning they can assist your business right away.
Ongoing support – since fractional marketers are consistent, businesses can build upon their campaigns, ensuring long-term success in having a consistent vision.
Payment Terms
Fractional marketers can be hired in a variety of payment terms. Monthly retainers and hourly rates are often the most popular. This ensures consistent work is completed by the fractional marketer. Monthly retainers are predictable for the business; however, they may take some time to get down exactly how much is needed for the work the marketer is doing (an average on the hours they do per month). Hourly fees are flexible, but can be unpredictable from month-to-month. However, a small business pays a fractional marketer, ensuring there is consistency in payment and work throughout the year will give that business the competitive edge.
Marketing Is A Necessity
Marketing is not just an option for small businesses—it’s a necessity. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. A fractional marketer provides the expertise, strategy, and execution you need, at a cost that fits your budget.
Instead of struggling to manage marketing on your own or stretching your budget to hire a full-time employee, consider the flexibility and effectiveness of fractional marketing.
Are you ready to hire a Fractional Marketer to help take your brand to the next level? Here are Rarity Marketing, we love providing that consistent, results-driven marketing support. Contact us today.