FAQ

A Fractional Marketing & Communications Consultant is a seasoned professional who serves as your part-time marketing or communications leader, providing strategic direction and hands-on expertise without the cost of a full-time executive. I work with your team for a set number of hours each month, bringing senior experience to growing businesses.

Unlike an agency that typically focuses on specific technical deliverables, we integrate with your team as a strategic leader, providing both high-level direction and tactical support. Compared to a full-time hire, we offer senior-level expertise at a fraction of the cost, plus the flexibility to scale hours based on your needs. You get the benefit of our diverse industry experience without the overhead of a full-time executive salary and benefits.

Our services are ideal for: Growing businesses that need strategic marketing leadership but aren't ready for a full-time CMO or VP of Communications Companies experiencing rapid growth who need expert guidance to scale their marketing efforts and internal employee communications Organizations looking to optimize their existing marketing programs Businesses wanting to build and train internal communication and marketing teams Startups seeking to establish their market presence and brand strategy

Our services typically include: Marketing strategy development and execution Brand positioning and messaging Talent mapping Organizational communication design Marketing team leadership and mentoring Marketing budget planning and management Digital marketing optimization Content strategy and planning Marketing technology selection and implementation Campaign planning and execution Marketing analytics and reporting Communications strategy and crisis management Media relations

We offer flexible engagement models ranging from 20 to 80 hours per month, depending on your needs. Most clients start with 40 hours monthly, which allows for meaningful strategic work while maintaining cost-effectiveness. We can adjust hours as your needs and the strategy evolves.

Most clients engage with us for a minimum of six months to allow time for strategy development and implementation. Many continue the relationship for 12+ months or longer as we help scale their marketing efforts and build internal communication capabilities. We're focused on delivering value and will be transparent about when it's time to transition to different solutions if that's at 3 or 15 months of engagement.

We offer a hybrid approach that combines remote work with regular on-site visits if you're in the greater Calgary area. This allows us to maintain consistent communication while being present for key meetings and team interactions. The specific mix can be tailored to your preferences and needs depending on location and scope of work.

Our onboarding process typically includes: Initial discovery meeting to understand your business goals and challenges Review of existing marketing or communication materials, data, and resources Stakeholder interviews and team meetings 90-day strategic plan development Weekly check-ins and monthly progress reviews Regular strategy adjustments based on results and feedback

Our full monthly retainers typically range from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the scope of work and hours required. This represents significant savings compared to a full-time leaders salary while providing access to senior-level expertise. We're happy to provide a custom quote based on your specific needs and goals.

We establish clear KPIs at the beginning of our engagement, aligned with your business objectives. These might include: Revenue growth Lead generation metrics Employee engagement metrics Customer acquisition costs Website traffic Social media engagement Return on marketing investment (ROMI) Employee survey results We provide regular reporting and reviews to track progress against these metrics. Want to track something else? Let's discuss if we're the right solution.

We often work alongside existing marketing and communication teams, providing strategic direction, mentorship, and specialized expertise. Our goal is to elevate and empower your current team while filling any strategic or tactical gaps. We can help assess your team's strengths and develop plans to build additional capabilities as needed.

The process starts with a complimentary consultation to discuss your needs and determine if we're a good fit. From there, we'll provide a detailed proposal outlining our recommended approach, deliverables, and investment. Once engaged, we'll begin our structured onboarding process to ensure a smooth and productive partnership.

We understand that business needs can change quickly. Our agreements include flexibility to adjust service levels with 30 days' notice. We can scale up during busy periods or major initiatives and scale back as internal capabilities grow.

We maintain a network of trusted partners for specialized services like web development, graphic design, and video production. We can either manage these relationships on your behalf or provide recommendations, depending on your preference. Need another fractional type of role filled? Ask us about our consulting friends in Recruitment and Business Strategy with experience startups and enterprise organizations.