Marketing isn’t just about having someone “do the socials” or send a newsletter. It’s about building an engine that consistently generates leads, automates growth, and adapts to new channels and technologies. For businesses with annual recurring revenue (ARR) between €100k and €1M, the big question is: do you hire a full-time marketer, or partner with a fractional marketing team?
Let’s break down the decision—costs, expertise, speed, risk, and, most importantly, business outcomes.
1. Cost: Predictable Investment vs. Overhead Headaches
Hiring a full-time marketing manager in Europe usually costs €50,000 – €80,000 per year (and often more, once you add benefits, equipment, and training). For a business with ARR under €1M, that’s a huge chunk of revenue often 7% to15% for one person.
Compare that to a monthly retainer with a fractional marketer, you get access to a team of specialists across every key marketing discipline. That’s expert support in brand, content, SEO, social media, and web – all for less than half the cost of a single hire. No payroll, no HR headaches, no risk if someone leaves.
2. Expertise: Deep & Wide vs. Generalist Gaps
A full-time hire, even a senior one, brings deep knowledge in one or two areas. But modern marketing is a team sport. With CMO Mojo’s fractional model, you get access to a network of top-tier specialists – each a leader in their field, from AI-optimized content to technical SEO to digital PR.
This means your SaaS, tech, or professional services business benefits from proven expertise in your industry, not just generic tactics. And with AI and digital channels evolving fast, you stay ahead of the curve – no need to retrain or upskill a single staff member.
3. Speed & Flexibility: Immediate Impact, Zero Delay
Recruiting and onboarding a full-time marketer can take months, and even then, you’ll wait for them to ramp up. With CMO Mojo, onboarding is instant: discovery call, strategy proposal, action plan. Expect quick wins in the first 30–60 days – especially with technical SEO and AI-optimized campaigns.
Need to pivot? Want to test a new channel? Fractional teams scale up or down as your needs change, without the drag of HR processes or contract renegotiations.
4. Risk: Built-In Mitigation vs. Sunk Costs
Full-time hires are a big commitment. If it doesn’t work out, you face recruitment costs, severance, and lost momentum. With a fractional model, you get flexibility and accountability. If a strategy isn’t delivering, you can rapidly adjust – no emotional or financial fallout.
And when you’re ready to in-source, CMO Mojo supports a smooth transition, training your team and transferring knowledge so you keep the momentum going.
5. Integration: More Than an Agency—A True Partner
Here’s a key difference: CMO Mojo doesn’t just run campaigns and send reports. We become part of your team. We’ll get to know your business at a deeper level than any agency with a big roster and rotating account managers. We’re proactive, self-starting, and focused on giving you less to manage, so you can focus on growth.
Our monthly retainer means we work with you across channels—social, email, content, digital PR—always looking for new ways to generate leads and keep your marketing engine running.
When to Choose Fractional Marketing
- ARR between €100k–€1M
- Need for multi-channel expertise and quick execution
- No time (or appetite) for HR overhead
- Desire for flexibility, accountability, and measurable ROI
- Want to simplify your marketing and focus on your business
When a Full-Time Hire Makes Sense
- ARR well above €2M, with complex, daily marketing needs
- Mature in-house marketing systems needing execution support
- Budget and bandwidth for senior salaries and management
The Bottom Line
For most scaling B2B businesses, the days of “one marketing person for everything” are over. Marketing is too complex, too fast-moving, and too important to leave to chance. With CMO Mojo’s fractional model, you get the expertise, speed, and results of a full-stack marketing team—without the overhead.
If you’re ready to build a marketing engine that delivers 3x more leads, traffic, and conversions (and gives you back your time), let’s talk.
Curious how fractional could work for you? Book your discovery call and let’s map out your growth journey.
