Fractional CMO Raleigh🥇 | Ross Kernez
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Fractional CMO Raleigh

As a Fractional CMO Raleigh, As your Fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), I bring over 15 years of proven expertise in driving business growth through innovative and strategic marketing initiatives. Whether you're a small business, start-up, or mid-sized company, my services are tailored to meet your unique needs without the commitment and cost of a full-time executive.Gain access to top-tier marketing leadership without the overhead of a full-time hire. My extensive experience spans various industries, ensuring your business benefits from the latest marketing trends and strategies.

Tip the see-saw in your favor & win the crowd

I’ve been working in the digital marketing field for over 15 years and as an independent consultant working with companies all sizes – advising on content marketing, google penalties, brand, audience development, technical SEO, digital PR, organizational design, and growth.

Let Me Be Your Fractional CMO Raleigh



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    What can I bring to your company when you hire me as fractional CMO?

    I find myself in a privileged position through hosting my SEO meetups, where I have access to a wealth of data alongside my fellow members. These gatherings serve as a fertile ground for the exchange of insights and information stemming from diverse industries. My team and I take it upon ourselves to meticulously gather and arrange this data, ensuring that every participant can reap the benefits from a broad pool of knowledge. As we all are aware, unstructured data holds little to no value, akin to unmined gold lying dormant underground, awaiting to be discovered and valued.

    We delve into this data reservoir, sifting through to find and present the most valuable pieces of information — the golden nuggets that can offer substantial learning experiences to our attendees.

    Would you be interested in granting your attendees access to this repository of golden opportunities?

    Find out more
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    Experienced Fractional CMO Raleigh

    I have worked in numerous large enterprises within the marketing & SEO departments. Taking these businesses up the search engine result pages (SERPS), these roles formed the bases of my experience.

    I have also been fortunate enough to advise & consult numerous smaller and medium businesses across a wide array of verticals and this also greatly enhanced my knowledge about the market and of course how to implement a ‘search’ strategy to garner visibility and generate revenue.

    I have also been fortunate enough to participate in some more unique projects

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    Who is Ross Kernez?

    First and foremost I am curious. I am curious to understand what makes a search engine place one website above another.

    What makes these vastly complex and nebulus algorithms tick? Some of my friends & colleagues will tell you I have an unbalanced curiosity/obsession.

    I like to quote an unknown source in response: “Don’t judge people for the choices they make when you don’t know the options they had to choose from.”

    When others ‘stamp out at’ 5pm and head to the bar. I head home to dig deeper.

    I have been experimenting and learning with SEO for the past 15 years. In that time I have worked with numerous large businesses pushing them up the SERP’s and driving more traffic, conversions and most importantly gathering data to empower future improvements.

    Mentor at ‘Starta Venture Capital’

    Mentoring startups has put me in front of some incredible talent, it has allowed me to test my skills to the limit across a diverse marketplace. Founders are highly motivated and bright individuals mentoring them has been both an honor and an ongoing challenge. It perfectly compliments my other activities as it constantly tests and sharpened my skills set. Not to mention building my network.

    Grace A.I

    I was part of the team that built the search engine Grace AI that was powered by IBM. This was a fantastic experience to work with some great minds, this was another project that took me outside my comfort zone, tested my skills & exposed my weaknesses.

    When hiring a Fractional CMO in Raleigh, you should expect a marketing leader who can bring strategic vision and expertise tailored to your company’s specific needs. A Fractional CMO will first take the time to understand your business objectives, your market position, and the challenges you face. They will then develop a comprehensive marketing strategy that aligns with your business goals and helps drive growth. Whether your company is in the early stages of development or in a phase of rapid expansion, the Fractional CMO will provide high-level marketing guidance without the full-time commitment of a traditional CMO.

    Expect them to come in with fresh insights and a clear action plan. A Fractional CMO will assess your existing marketing efforts, identify gaps or inefficiencies, and provide immediate steps to improve performance. This could range from enhancing your digital marketing strategy to optimizing lead generation and customer acquisition. They will focus on building a marketing framework that can be scaled as your company grows, ensuring that your marketing efforts are aligned with long-term objectives. Their data-driven approach will guide decision-making, and you can expect measurable results based on clearly defined KPIs.

    You should also expect your Fractional CMO to be an effective leader, integrating seamlessly with your existing team. They will work closely with both senior leadership and marketing staff, providing direction, setting priorities, and ensuring that the team is executing on strategy. For businesses in Raleigh, where competition can be fierce, a Fractional CMO will help sharpen your company’s market positioning, strengthen your brand, and build a more effective digital presence. They will mentor your team, improving both the overall marketing function and individual performance.

    Another aspect you can expect from your Fractional CMO is flexibility. Their part-time or project-based role allows you to access senior marketing expertise in a way that suits your budget and your specific needs. Whether you need them for a few months during a major campaign or on an ongoing basis to provide continuous oversight, they can scale their involvement accordingly. This flexibility is particularly important for Raleigh businesses that experience seasonal fluctuations or periods of growth where marketing leadership is critical but does not necessitate a full-time hire.

    Additionally, a Fractional CMO will have a deep understanding of local and regional market dynamics. If your business is focused on Raleigh or the surrounding areas, they will provide insights into local customer behaviors, competition, and market trends, ensuring that your marketing efforts are not only effective but also relevant. This local knowledge can be critical in building strong community ties, expanding your customer base, and developing messaging that resonates with the Raleigh market.

    Lastly, you should expect results. A Fractional CMO’s goal is to drive growth, and they will continuously monitor the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. They will adjust strategies as needed to maximize performance and ROI, ensuring that your marketing investment leads to tangible business outcomes. Whether it’s increasing brand visibility, generating leads, or improving customer retention, a Fractional CMO will work towards measurable improvements that impact your company’s bottom line.

     

    What should you expect from your Fractional CMO Raleigh

    Here’s some feedback from someone who has worked with Ross

    Sed E.

    Hiring a Fractional CMO for our Raleigh-based startup was one of the best decisions we've made. The expertise and insights they brought were beyond what we could have hoped for. They worked closely with our team to create a comprehensive marketing strategy that aligned with our growth goals and helped us maximize our budget. In just a few months, we saw a significant increase in brand awareness and lead generation. Their ability to offer high-level marketing direction without the commitment of a full-time hire was exactly what we needed. I highly recommend their services to any business looking to scale!

    Roman A.

    The Fractional CMO we partnered with in Raleigh was a game changer for our small business. They quickly assessed our current marketing efforts, pinpointed weaknesses, and implemented an effective plan to improve our digital presence. Their data-driven approach helped us refine our target audience and increase conversions. We appreciated their flexibility, professionalism, and ability to seamlessly integrate with our internal team. While they weren’t full-time, their commitment to our success felt as if they were. The only reason I didn't give a full 5 stars is because I wished they could have stayed with us longer!

    Fell S.

    As a mid-sized company in Raleigh, we struggled with inconsistent marketing results for years. Bringing on a Fractional CMO transformed our approach. They gave us a clear roadmap for increasing our market share, optimized our ad spend, and helped us develop more cohesive branding. Their hands-on involvement, combined with a strategic mindset, made a noticeable difference in just a short period. It felt like we had a top-tier CMO, but at a fraction of the cost of hiring one full-time. If you’re in Raleigh and need marketing leadership without breaking the bank, look no further.

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    Objective and Unbiased Analysis for Legal Cases

    The core value of a digital marketing expert witness lies in their ability to provide objective and unbiased analysis for legal cases. This impartiality is essential for the integrity of the legal process, as it ensures that their testimony is credible and reliable. Objective analysis means that the expert witness examines all relevant data, facts, and evidence without allowing personal opinions or external pressures to influence their findings.

    An unbiased expert witness offers a clear, fact-based perspective on complex digital marketing issues, which is invaluable in a courtroom setting. Their role involves scrutinizing digital marketing practices, campaigns, and analytics to determine compliance with industry standards and legal regulations.

    Commitment to Professionalism and Ethical Integrity

    Ethical integrity involves adhering to strict ethical guidelines and principles. This includes avoiding any conflicts of interest, ensuring that their findings and opinions are based solely on factual evidence and sound analysis. An expert witness must remain impartial, providing testimony that is free from personal or financial bias. Their role is to assist the court in understanding complex digital marketing issues, not to advocate for either party.

    A digital marketing expert witness’s commitment to these principles is crucial, as their testimony can significantly impact the outcome of a case. By maintaining high standards of professionalism and ethical integrity, they contribute to a fair and just legal process, ensuring that their insights and opinions are respected and valued.

    Topics that I can cover:

    Search Marketing
    Paid Search
    Email Marketing
    SMM Marketing
    Fractional CMO
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    Just SEO?

    Absolutely not, although i started in SEO, when I am a full stack marketer i realized that a good SEO strategy without a holistic understanding of marketing. Is like a funnel with holes in it. No matter how much traffic you drive through the funnel you will be leaking leads and wasting your resources.

    I have garnered a solid understanding of digital marketing and how to juggle the many disciplines and allow them to fit and work together. I also have managed teams of freelancers and employees in the double digits. I love to help people manage their teams more efficiently.

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    FAQs

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    What is a Fractional CMO?

    A Fractional CMO is an experienced marketing executive who works on a part-time, contract, or project basis, offering businesses high-level marketing strategy and leadership without the need to hire a full-time CMO. This model allows companies to tap into expert-level marketing insights and strategic direction for a fraction of the cost of employing a full-time Chief Marketing Officer. In Raleigh, businesses often turn to Fractional CMOs to help develop long-term strategies, manage marketing teams, or oversee marketing campaigns, all while maintaining flexibility and scalability.

    Fractional CMOs typically work with small to mid-sized businesses, startups, or organizations going through transitional periods that require expert marketing leadership but cannot justify or afford a full-time hire. They work in close collaboration with a company’s leadership team and internal marketing departments to ensure that marketing initiatives are aligned with overall business goals.

    Why Should Businesses in Raleigh Consider Hiring a Fractional CMO?

    There are several reasons businesses in Raleigh, particularly those in the tech, healthcare, and professional services sectors, should consider hiring a Fractional CMO. One of the primary advantages is cost efficiency. Fractional CMOs allow companies to access high-level marketing expertise without the overhead costs of a full-time executive, including salary, benefits, and bonuses.

    Another benefit is flexibility. Businesses in Raleigh may experience seasonal fluctuations, periods of rapid growth, or times of reorganization. A Fractional CMO provides the option to scale marketing efforts up or down depending on the company’s current needs. Additionally, many businesses, especially startups, may not need a full-time CMO but require strategic guidance during critical growth phases. In these instances, a Fractional CMO brings the right expertise at the right time without the long-term commitment.

    Raleigh is also a growing hub for innovation and startups, where agility is key. A Fractional CMO can offer fresh perspectives and adapt quickly to changing market trends, ensuring your business stays ahead of competitors. Moreover, with Raleigh’s highly competitive business landscape, the strategic insights offered by a seasoned CMO can help sharpen your marketing message, making your brand stand out locally and beyond.

    What Can a Fractional CMO Do for My Raleigh Business?

    A Fractional CMO can bring a wealth of marketing knowledge and provide tailored strategies to address your business’s specific challenges. For businesses in Raleigh, a Fractional CMO can help define and implement a long-term marketing strategy, one that aligns with your overall business objectives and drives growth.

    A Fractional CMO can also analyze and optimize your marketing efforts. They’ll assess your current campaigns, customer acquisition strategies, and conversion rates, then offer data-driven recommendations to improve ROI. Raleigh businesses, particularly those in the tech and healthcare industries, often benefit from such optimization, as the local market can be highly competitive.

    In addition, Fractional CMOs can take over leadership of your marketing team or work alongside internal teams to improve performance. They may also oversee the execution of marketing initiatives, from digital marketing and content creation to brand development and lead generation. Many Raleigh businesses, especially growing companies, lack the in-house resources to execute complex campaigns. A Fractional CMO ensures these initiatives are carried out effectively and efficiently.

    Another important function of a Fractional CMO is to help define and strengthen your brand identity. For companies looking to establish a strong presence in Raleigh’s local market, a Fractional CMO can refine messaging, ensure consistent communication, and foster deeper connections with target audiences.

    How Long Should I Expect to Work with a Fractional CMO?

    The length of time you work with a Fractional CMO depends on your business’s specific needs. Many companies in Raleigh hire Fractional CMOs for short-term engagements, such as during product launches, periods of rapid growth, or when developing a new marketing strategy. In such cases, the engagement might last for a few months.

    However, businesses often choose to maintain a long-term relationship with their Fractional CMO to ensure continued access to strategic insights and leadership. Ongoing engagements can last a year or more, with the Fractional CMO working on a part-time basis. These longer-term relationships often benefit businesses that need ongoing oversight of their marketing operations or periodic adjustments to their strategy as they grow.

    Ultimately, the duration of your engagement with a Fractional CMO will depend on your company’s objectives, budget, and the complexity of your marketing needs. Fractional CMOs in Raleigh are highly adaptable and can tailor their services to the length of time that makes the most sense for your business.

    Is a Fractional CMO the Same as a Marketing Consultant?

    While a Fractional CMO and a marketing consultant both provide expert marketing advice, their roles and functions differ significantly. A Fractional CMO takes on a leadership role within your organization, overseeing marketing teams, shaping strategy, and managing the execution of marketing initiatives. They work closely with your business to ensure that marketing efforts align with overall business goals and often have decision-making authority. In many cases, a Fractional CMO will be involved in day-to-day operations and long-term planning.

    On the other hand, a marketing consultant tends to offer more specialized, one-off advice on specific areas of marketing, such as SEO, branding, or digital advertising. Consultants typically do not oversee teams or manage the execution of marketing initiatives. Their involvement is usually more limited and focused on providing recommendations or helping solve particular problems.

    For businesses in Raleigh that need ongoing marketing leadership and strategic direction, a Fractional CMO is a better option than a marketing consultant. However, if you’re looking for help with a specific marketing challenge or a short-term project, a consultant may suffice.

     

    How Does a Fractional CMO Work with Existing Marketing Teams?

    A Fractional CMO works closely with existing marketing teams to enhance performance and ensure that efforts align with the broader business strategy. In many cases, Raleigh businesses already have marketing staff in place but lack the strategic leadership to guide and optimize their efforts. This is where a Fractional CMO can add significant value.

    Fractional CMOs can assume responsibility for leading your marketing team, offering mentorship and guidance where necessary. They’ll help define clear objectives, KPIs, and timelines, ensuring that the team’s work is both effective and efficient.

    They may also bring in specialized contractors or vendors to complement the team’s skills. For example, if your Raleigh business lacks expertise in areas like content marketing, SEO, or data analytics, the Fractional CMO can either train your team or bring in the right external resources.

    One of the key benefits of working with a Fractional CMO is their ability to blend seamlessly into your existing company structure. Whether your business operates with an in-house marketing department or uses outsourced marketing partners, a Fractional CMO can adapt to your team’s needs and help integrate marketing efforts across the organization.

    What Kind of Businesses in Raleigh Benefit from a Fractional CMO?

    Businesses in Raleigh across a wide range of industries can benefit from a Fractional CMO, but it’s particularly effective for small to mid-sized companies and startups. Many companies in the Raleigh area, including those in tech, healthcare, and B2B services, need strategic marketing direction but may not have the resources to hire a full-time CMO.

    Startups in particular often benefit from Fractional CMOs, as they frequently go through phases of rapid growth where marketing strategy and leadership become critical. Startups in Raleigh’s vibrant innovation ecosystem often need to establish their brand, build market awareness, and generate leads quickly. A Fractional CMO can help achieve these goals without the long-term financial commitment of a full-time hire.

    Mid-sized companies experiencing periods of transition, such as rebranding, launching new products, or expanding into new markets, can also find significant value in hiring a Fractional CMO. These businesses may already have marketing teams in place but need expert leadership to guide them through complex challenges.

    Even larger companies in Raleigh can benefit from a Fractional CMO if they’re undergoing organizational changes or need temporary leadership during a gap in full-time CMO roles.

    How Do I Choose the Right Fractional CMO for My Raleigh Business?

    Choosing the right Fractional CMO for your Raleigh business requires careful consideration of your needs and the CMO’s experience. First, evaluate the specific challenges and goals you want to address with your marketing efforts. Are you looking to increase brand awareness, improve your digital marketing strategy, or break into new markets? Once you have a clear understanding of your objectives, you can look for a Fractional CMO whose expertise aligns with those goals.

    It’s also important to consider the industry experience of the CMO. Ideally, the candidate should have a deep understanding of the Raleigh market and your industry, whether it’s tech, healthcare, or another sector. A CMO with local experience can offer insights into Raleigh’s competitive landscape and customer preferences, giving your business a strategic advantage.

    Another key factor to consider is the CMO’s leadership style and how well they’ll integrate with your team. Since they’ll be working closely with your leadership and marketing teams, you want to ensure that their communication style and management approach are a good fit for your company’s culture.

    Lastly, check for proven results. Look for a Fractional CMO with a track record of delivering measurable improvements in marketing performance, whether it’s through increased lead generation, improved ROI, or successful brand positioning. Many Fractional CMOs offer case studies or testimonials from previous clients, which can give you a sense of their capabilities.

    What Is the Cost of Hiring a Fractional CMO in Raleigh?

    The cost of hiring a Fractional CMO in Raleigh can vary depending on the scope of work, the level of expertise required, and the length of the engagement. In general, Fractional CMOs charge significantly less than full-time CMOs, making them an attractive option for businesses that need high-level marketing leadership without the financial burden of a full-time executive salary.

    Fractional CMOs typically offer flexible pricing models, such as hourly rates, monthly retainers, or project-based fees. Hourly rates can range from $150 to $300 per hour, while monthly retainers for part-time engagements often range from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the size and needs of the business.

    For Raleigh businesses, it’s important to balance cost with value. While a Fractional CMO may require a significant investment, the expertise and strategic direction they provide can result in substantial returns in terms of increased revenue, market share, and brand visibility.

    How Do I Get Started with a Fractional CMO?

    If you’re ready to explore hiring a Fractional CMO for your Raleigh business, the first step is to identify your marketing needs and goals. Once you have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve, start researching potential candidates or firms specializing in Fractional CMO services.

    Many companies in Raleigh find Fractional CMOs through professional networks, industry associations, or marketing agencies. You can also search for independent consultants who specialize in Fractional CMO services.

    Once you’ve identified a few candidates, schedule an initial consultation to discuss your business goals, marketing challenges, and the scope of the engagement. This consultation will help you determine if the Fractional CMO is the right fit for your company.

    Hiring a Fractional CMO is an investment in the future of your business. By bringing on a marketing leader who can offer strategic insights, guide your marketing efforts, and drive growth, you’re setting your company up for long-term success.