Fractional CMO services.
Senior strategy. No full-time salary.
You need senior marketing leadership — someone who owns strategy, drives execution, and reports on real results. You don't need to pay $150,000-$250,000 a year to get it. A fractional CMO gives you the same expertise for $1,500-$4,000 per month.
I'm Robert Callan, a Chicago-based fractional CMO. I manage strategy for 386 clients at a top digital agency. By Callan is how I bring that same level of thinking directly to growing businesses — without layers, without handoffs, without the overhead.
Everything under one strategist.
Full marketing strategy
Annual plan, quarterly priorities, monthly execution. Not just advice — a roadmap with clear milestones and accountability.
SEO & content
Keyword strategy, on-page optimization, and content that ranks. Built for search intent, not vanity metrics.
Paid media management
Google Ads, Meta Ads, and LinkedIn. ROAS-focused campaigns that tie spend directly to revenue, not click-through rates.
Automation & systems
Lead routing, CRM workflows, reporting dashboards. Eliminate the manual work that's eating your team's time.
Web & conversion optimization
Landing pages that convert, site speed, mobile UX, A/B testing. Your site as a revenue engine, not a brochure.
Analytics & reporting
GA4, GTM, custom dashboards. You see exactly what's working, in plain English — not a report full of vanity metrics.
Is a fractional CMO right for your business?
A fractional CMO is the right move if:
- Revenue between $500K and $10M
- No full-time CMO or marketing director
- Marketing budget of $2,000–$10,000/month
- Spending on agencies or freelancers with unclear ROI
- Need strategy + execution, not just a consultant with opinions
- Want to scale without a $150K+ salary commitment
Cost comparison
How it works.
Free strategy call
30 minutes. I look at your site, your current marketing, and your goals. I'll tell you honestly what's working, what's not, and what I'd do first.
Audit and roadmap
I run a full site audit, keyword research, and competitive analysis. You get a 90-day roadmap with clear priorities and expected outcomes.
Execution starts week one
No onboarding theater. I build campaigns, fix technical issues, set up tracking, and start generating results. You see progress in the first 30 days.
Monthly reporting, ongoing strategy
Every month: what we did, what it drove, and what's next. No vanity metrics. Numbers tied to revenue.
Results from recent engagements.
Common questions about fractional CMOs.
What exactly does a fractional CMO do?+
A fractional CMO leads your marketing strategy and execution part-time. They set direction, manage vendors or junior staff, build campaigns, and report on results — everything a full-time CMO does, at a fraction of the cost. The difference is you pay for 15-40 hours per month instead of a $150K-$250K salary.
How much does a fractional CMO cost?+
Fractional CMO engagements typically range from $1,500 to $5,000 per month depending on scope. At By Callan, engagements start at $1,500/month (15 hours) and go up to $4,000/month for full-service strategy across multiple channels. That's 70-80% less than a full-time marketing hire when you factor in salary, benefits, and recruiting costs.
How is a fractional CMO different from a marketing agency?+
At an agency, you pay $8,000-$15,000/month for a team — but 40-60% goes to overhead, and a junior staff member often does the actual work. A fractional CMO does the work themselves. You get direct access, senior-level thinking, and no layers. And you pay less.
Do I need a fractional CMO or a full-time hire?+
If your revenue is under $10M and you don't have a marketing team that needs daily management, fractional is almost always the right call. You get senior expertise without the overhead. Full-time makes sense when you exceed $20K/month in ad spend, need 40+ hours of dedicated marketing work, or have a large team that requires daily oversight.
What makes By Callan different from other fractional CMOs?+
I do the work myself. No handoffs, no junior staff. I currently manage strategy for 386 clients at a Chicago agency, so what I bring to By Callan clients is tested, current, and cross-industry. I also cover more channels than most — SEO, ads, automation, and web — which means the strategy is integrated, not siloed.
How quickly can we get started?+
Usually within a week. After a free strategy call, I run a site audit and competitive analysis, then present a 90-day roadmap. Most clients see the first deliverables within two weeks of signing.
Don't take my word for it.
“Robert took the lead on branding, delivering visuals and a theme that makes the company look simple, polished, and unmistakably bold.”
Tyler R.
Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Tech Startup
“Everything is coming together really well, and we appreciate your attention to detail as we get this ready for launch.”
Ginger L.
Director of Programs, Chicago Nonprofit
“Robert is one of the most driven individuals I have worked with. His curiosity stands out, and his ability to constantly learn and apply new things is truly special.”
Max M.
Inside Sales Manager
Ready to stop guessing at marketing?
Free strategy call. I'll review your current marketing and tell you exactly what I'd do first. No pitch — just an honest assessment.
Book a Free Call