Dawn’s Strategic Shift from Agency Owner to Fractional CMO
Release Date: 05/27/2025
AI Tools for Fractional CMOs
Fractional CMO Show
In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey tackles the question every fractional CMO is asking: Which AI tools should I be using? But his answer isn't what you'd expect. Casey admits he spent 14 months considering ditching fractional work entirely to chase the AI gold rush. Instead, he doubled down on something old-fashioned: actually knowing how to do the work. He shares war stories of letting Claude write a client report that turned out mediocre, and the AI-generated voiceover that everyone hated - until his experience proved it doubled results. The truth? AI...
info_outline
Bonus Coaching with Casey - Part 2
Fractional CMO Show
In this bonus episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey opens up a raw coaching call with people who aren’t fractional CMOs yet—but want to be. These are agency owners tired of the hamster wheel, strategists stuck doing execution, and full-time employees wondering if this fractional thing is actually real. John is worried about getting pulled into grunt work. Laura thinks she needs a bigger title before she’s “qualified enough.” Beth is stuck in small-town Iowa wondering how to build a sales funnel. Angela keeps getting asked for small projects when she wants to sell the big...
info_outline
Bonus Coaching with Casey - Part 1
Fractional CMO Show
In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey opens up a raw coaching call with people who aren't fractional CMOs yet—but want to be. These are agency owners tired of the hamster wheel, strategists stuck doing execution, and full-time employees wondering if this fractional thing is actually real. Casey coaches through real deals happening this week: Eric transitioning from agency to targeting private equity exits, Roxy discovering clients keep telling her she's a "really strong strategist" but she's drowning in execution, Paul pitching a $30M company, and Ernesto trying to...
info_outline
A Roundtable of Women, Succeeding as Fractional CMOs: Part 2
Fractional CMO Show
In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey continues the conversation with a dozen successful women from the CMOx accelerator boardroom. This is part two of a webinar series where these fractional CMOs get real about building six-figure practices on their own terms. These aren’t beginners. These are women commanding $10K+ monthly retainers, managing teams of 30+ people across multiple clients, and turning down full-time job offers even when they didn’t have paying clients yet. They come from automotive, financial services, SaaS, climate tech, life sciences, and consumer...
info_outline
A Roundtable of Women, Succeeding as Fractional CMOs: Part 1
Fractional CMO Show
In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, a dozen women from the CMOx accelerator boardroom come together to share their real experiences building successful fractional CMO practices. This is part one of a two-part series that started when member Courtney challenged Casey's solo episode—pointing out there was a whole perspective he couldn't see. These aren't theoretical success stories. These are women pulling in $10K+ per month in recurring revenue, with at least two hitting $50,000 months in November. They come from wildly different backgrounds: automotive, financial services, SaaS,...
info_outline
The REAL Reason You Didn't Close That Fractional CMO Client
Fractional CMO Show
In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey Stanton breaks down exactly why deals fall apart—and why most of the time, it’s not about you. Drawing from Eugene Schwartz’s Breakthrough Advertising, Casey walks through the stages of prospect awareness and reveals the harsh truth: 20% of deals will never close, 20% are laydowns, and 60% require serious follow-up. He shares real stories from the field—prospects who ghosted after great calls, a doctor who chose a $500 AI tool over a fractional CMO, and deals that stalled despite perfect chemistry. Casey gets into the...
info_outline
What Implementation Work a Fractional CMO Should Do
Fractional CMO Show
In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey Stanton dives into what it really means to work as a fractional CMO—and why sometimes that means rolling up your sleeves and doing the work yourself. He’s pulling from years of real client experience, from managing multi-million-dollar launches to helping clients navigate gaps in their teams, and he’s calling out the patterns he sees: overextending yourself, letting scope creep happen, and trying to do everything instead of delegating strategically. Casey shares straight-up stories from his work—like stepping in when a key team...
info_outline
For Women Only (Guys, Skip This One)
Fractional CMO Show
In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey Stanton speaks directly to women in the marketing world who want to step into the fractional CMO role but often hold themselves back. Drawing from coaching over 200 women inside the Accelerator, Casey highlights the recurring patterns he sees — undercharging, over-justifying, second-guessing their expertise, and hesitating to bring in outside specialists. He walks through the dangers of discounting, the importance of choosing clients who can afford real marketing investment, and how to step into a CEO-level mindset where you orchestrate...
info_outline
The Secret to Making it as a Fractional CMO is FUN
Fractional CMO Show
In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey dives into the secret to thriving long-term as a fractional CMO: having fun. He shares why commitment and consistency matter, but also why enjoying the work you do is what fuels creativity, engagement, and lasting success. Drawing on his own experiences — from conversations with Jeff Walker, the enduring “Launch Guy,” to experimenting with vibe coding, AI, and creative marketing projects — Casey shows how curiosity and play can lead to innovation and new opportunities. He explains why marketers who constantly reinvent themselves often...
info_outline
How Real Fractional CMOs are Getting Rich Slowly
Fractional CMO Show
In this episode of The Fractional CMO Show, Casey Stanton breaks down what it really looks like to “get rich slowly” as a fractional CMO—and why that’s a far better goal than chasing quick wins or sprinting toward burnout. Drawing from real stories inside the Accelerator, Casey shares how members like Lisa, Ben, Sean, and Jennifer are building long-term, stable income by focusing on the fundamentals: selling high-value strategy (not cheap implementation), staying committed to a niche, and showing up with consistency and leadership—especially on their worst days. ...
info_outlineIn this insightful episode, Casey chats with Dawn, a longtime agency owner who saw the writing on the wall — agencies are losing their edge. Rather than wait for the industry to shift beneath her, Dawn took action and pivoted into offering high-level fractional CMO services. She shares how she navigated the blurry line between strategy and execution, why she separated her fractional work into a new business entity, and what it really takes to let go of implementation. From margin gains to mindset shifts, this conversation is a candid look at what happens when you stop doing favors and start owning your value.
Key Topics Covered:
- Why Dawn shifted away from the traditional agency model
- The hidden cost of offering strategy for free
- How fractional CMO margins compare to agency work
- The mindset shift from “favor” to paid value
- Educating clients on what a fractional CMO actually does
- The impact of AI on agency services and media buying
- Playing at a higher level by stepping into the C-suite
🌟 Take the First Step Toward Growth with CMOx 🌟
Booking a call with our team is super easy, stress-free, and all about YOU. Whether you're exploring options or ready to scale, this no-pressure consultation is designed to understand your needs and guide you in the right direction.
📅 Schedule your call today:
We’ll make sure this is the most productive (and effortless) decision you’ve made for your business. Let's talk about strategy and success!
🤝 Join the Fractional CMO Community 🤝
Want to continue the conversation and get access to exclusive resources? Join our free Facebook group for fractional CMOs and marketing leaders! Inside, you'll find discussions, insights, and tools to help you grow your business and maximize your impact.
Looking forward to seeing you inside! 🚀
🎙️ Stay Ahead with the Fractional CMO Show 🎙️
Want to unlock the secrets of marketing success? Subscribe to the podcast and gain exclusive insights from industry leaders and experts!
Got questions? We’d love to hear them! Submit your questions for a chance to be featured on an upcoming episode:
Subscribe today and start leveling up your marketing game!
📚 Master the Game with These Must-Read Books 📚
Want to go deeper and build a high-impact marketing career on your terms? These two books from Casey Stanton are your blueprint.
The Fractional CMO Method
Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller. Learn how to attract, convert, and serve high-paying clients while staying focused on strategy and leadership.
Find Your CMO
Hiring a CMO? This guide helps CEOs and founders understand what great marketing leadership looks like—and how to find the right fit.
Start reading and take control of your marketing future.
Connect with Casey Stanton:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseystanton/
Website: https://caseystanton.com/