Charlotte’s business scene is constantly changing at a rapid pace. It’s not uncommon for companies, especially growing ones, to face some marketing roadblocks. When faced with marketing challenges, it can be wise to seek expert reinforcements, and two roles fit the bill: the Charlotte fractional CMO and the marketing consultant.

Both are seasoned marketers who bring strategic marketing leadership and industry experience to the table. The responsibilities of these two roles may overlap, but there are also some distinctions between them. This guide sheds light on the differences between Charlotte fractional CMOs versus consulting and which is the best choice to enhance your marketing efforts.

Watch Jason share his experience working with a fractional CMO:

What Is a Fractional CMO?

A fractional CMO is a part-time marketing professional who works side-by-side with the marketing department. With an FCMO on board, you don’t have to worry about high costs or full-time benefits. Their affordability makes them a perfect choice for smaller businesses with limited budgets.

A FCMO provides strategic marketing guidance and leadership to growing companies. Whatever area of the company needs some fine-tuning, the FCMO provides with their diverse skill set and years of experience. For example, if you need to increase traffic to your website, your Charlotte FCMO prioritizes SEO to boost online visibility through local keyword research, content marketing, and website optimization. 

But that’s not all; you get access to a wide variety of FCMO services, which include but are not limited to:

• Branding and positioning
• Market research and analysis
• Multi-channel marketing
• Email marketing
• Content marketing
• Social media marketing
• Pay-per-click advertising
• Data reporting and analysis
• Marketing compliance

Fractional CMOs do more than come up with great ideas — they also play an active role in creating and executing marketing blueprints that drive a higher return on investment. From launching campaigns on various channels to keeping track of real-time analytics, the FCMO helps piece the whole puzzle together, leading to the best results possible.

What Is a Consultant?

When an urgent issue arises that requires specialized attention, the consultant is the right person for the job. Unlike fractional CMOs, who are more flexible and take on many active roles, a consultant provides more niche services — so you can think of them as a coming-and-going advisor.

A consultant’s main goal is to provide expert advice and guidance on a specific issue. They analyze the situation and come up with an appropriate solution, but it’s up to the company to put the actual plan into action.

Consultants are usually hired by bigger companies and enterprises to solve larger-scale issues. Why? Simply because these bigger companies have the budget, resources, and manpower to handle these issues themselves.

A consultant’s duration with the company usually ends once a specific project or task has finished or a problem has been resolved. They are not brought on for ongoing or long-term engagement, unlike an FCMO

The Differences Between a Fractional CMO and a Consultant

While both roles provide marketing expertise, their approaches and impact on your business differ in three key ways:

Scope of Expertise

Fractional CMOs bring a broad skill set, from branding and SEO to analytics and campaign management, making them valuable for companies that need ongoing multi-channel leadership. Consultants, on the other hand, focus narrowly on a specific challenge or project, such as crisis communication or paid advertising.

Role in the Company

An FCMO integrates with your marketing team to shape strategy and guide execution. Their involvement is hands-on, aligning campaigns with long-term growth. Consultants act as outside advisors. They diagnose issues and recommend solutions but typically leave implementation to your team.

Time Commitment

Fractional CMOs work on a part-time but ongoing basis, often dedicating a set number of hours per week or month over an extended period. This continuity supports long-term planning and sustainable growth. Consultants are usually engaged for short-term contracts tied to a specific project or problem, and their role ends once that issue is resolved.

Choose Between Charlotte Fractional CMOs and Consulting

Fractional CMOs and consultants both bring positive results to your company. They move you one step closer to your goals and are integral to avoiding digital marketing mistakes. Your choice between a fractional CMO and consultant is dependent on your goals and challenges:

Choose a Fractional CMO if:

• You need long-term strategic leadership at a fraction of the cost of a full-time CMO.
• Your company requires ongoing guidance across multiple marketing channels.
• You want someone integrated with your team to shape, execute, and optimize campaigns.
• You’re a small to mid-sized business with limited budgets but growth ambitions.

Choose a Consultant if:

• You face a specific, urgent marketing challenge that requires niche expertise.
• Your internal team is capable of executing plans but needs an outside perspective.
• You’re a larger company with the resources to implement recommendations in-house.
• You only need short-term support for a project, campaign, or defined problem

Elevate Your Marketing Efforts With Digital Authority Partners

Not sure which is right for your company? A reputable Charlotte digital marketing agency like Digital Authority Partners can help you find the right fit for your company. Our pool of fractional CMOs and marketing consultants has helped clients all over the world with their various marketing needs, and we have the numbers and portfolios to prove it. Contact us today to learn more!