Most Businesses Don’t Know This Option Exists (But It Could Solve Their Biggest Marketing Problem)
Let’s start with something surprisingly common: most business owners have never heard of fractional marketing. And that’s a shame—because it might be the smartest hire they never make.
When you think about marketing help, the options feel pretty limited.
You either:
Hire someone full-time, or
Duct-tape your marketing together with freelancers, interns, AI tools, and the occasional “we should post something today” reminder.
But there’s a third option—and it lives quietly between burnout and budget. It’s called fractional marketing, and it’s what we do at Charcoal.
What Fractional Marketing Actually Means
Fractional marketing is having access to a full team—strategists, writers, designers, ad buyers, SEO folks—for a flat monthly fee. You don’t hire us full-time. You don’t manage us. You just plug us in where your business needs support and let us do what we do best: build and execute your marketing strategy with consistency and clarity.
It’s not new, but it’s still wildly underused. And for good reason: no one talks about it. You won’t see “fractional marketing” trending on LinkedIn or popping up in a sponsored Masterclass. It’s a practical solution that exists behind the scenes—used by smart businesses that need real marketing outcomes but don’t have the time, capacity, or interest in building an internal department.
You’re Probably a Fit If…
If you’re a business doing $500K or more in revenue, and you’re either:
Growing quickly and need someone to steer the marketing ship
Outgrowing the DIY phase but not ready to commit to a full-time hire
Or tired of marketing being the thing that always gets pushed to “next quarter”
...then fractional is likely a great fit.
We work with engineering firms, service-based businesses, tourism operators, educators, manufacturers—you name it. What they all have in common is a desire to look professional, stay consistent, and actually move the needle without hiring five different people.
What Happens When You Go Fractional?
You stop wondering what to post.
You stop second-guessing your homepage copy.
You stop saying “we should be doing more marketing” in meetings.
Instead, you start seeing progress. Content gets created. Campaigns get launched. Messaging starts to click. And you actually have a strategy you’re proud of—not just a bunch of to-do lists taped together.
After a few months of working with us, most clients see:
More clarity in their messaging
More consistency in how (and where) they show up
And actual traction toward business goals
Why You’ve Never Heard of This (And Why That’s Changing)
Most marketing agencies pitch services. We offer structure. We partner long-term. We act like an internal team—just without the salary, benefits, office chair, or onboarding process.
We’re not a freelancer. We’re not a big agency. We’re not going to charge you hourly to brainstorm a tagline. We’re a fractional marketing department that helps you scale without chaos.
And if this is the first time you’ve heard of it? You’re not alone. But hopefully, it won’t be the last.
Want to Talk It Out?
If you’re still figuring out what marketing help you actually need—or you’re wondering if a fractional team could work for your business—we’re always happy to have a conversation.
Or just shoot us a note: info@charcoal.marketing