CMO School

Jessica Shirra | Fractional CMO
  • 5.0 (4)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

CMO School is the go-to podcast for marketers and Fractional CMOs ready to step into leadership, own their expertise, and build a career or business that actually works for them. Whether you're looking to elevate your skills, transition into a CMO role, or scale your Fractional business, this podcast delivers strategies, expert insights, and the mindset shifts you need to create a career you love. Hosted by Jess Shirra—a 15+ year marketing leader, Fractional CMO, and founder of Fractional CMO School—this show takes you behind the scenes on what actually works in marketing, business, and leadership. Jess has worked with powerhouse brands and creators like Lululemon, Pottery Barn, Strava, Jenna Kutcher, Lori Harder, and more—and now, she’s sharing those lessons with you. Each episode, we dive into proven strategies, practical insights, and candid conversations on topics like: How to step into leadership as a marketer and own your expertise How to confidently price your services and build a business that supports the life you want What it really takes to succeed as a Fractional CMO How to show up as a CMO for your clients, deliver powerful strategy, and lead teams effectively Lessons from experts across marketing, mindset, and entrepreneurship to help you grow Whether you're a corporate marketer exploring the Fractional path, a new Fractional CMO figuring it all out, or a seasoned leader looking to scale and systematize your business, CMO School will give you the tools, insights, and confidence to create a career that gives you freedom, fulfillment, and flexibility—on your terms. New episodes drop weekly! Subscribe now and start building a marketing career that lights you up.

  1. 1D AGO

    Fractional CMO vs Agency vs Contractor: How Switching Between Roles Is Costing You

    What you call yourself matters less than what you actually do. And when you code-switch with the same client — saying CMO, operating as contractor — you're losing authority and pricing power. If you've ever found yourself executing work for a client while also calling yourself their Fractional CMO, this episode will help you understand why. In this episode, I'm breaking down: Exactly what to do in your first 90 days as a fractional CMOWhat you should do (and not do) in months one, two, and threeHow to integrate with the team and establish your rhythm as the leaderWhy this progression determines whether you operate like a CMO or a contractor This isn't about being rigid or distant. It's about clarity and boundaries. Because being a Fractional CMO isn't just about strategy — it's about the seat you're actually in. Ready to take the next step? If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO. 🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

    8 min

  2. APR 14

    What to Do In Your First 90 as a Fractional CMO

    How you structure your first 90 days changes everything about your business. When you step into a new client engagement, the order of what you focus on determines whether you're seen as a strategic leader or just another executor. In this episode, I break down: The exact order of what to focus on firstHow to integrate with the team and establish your rhythmWhen and how to prove the strategy worksWhy foundation building matters more than you thinkAnd how month three positions you as the strategic owner, not just the executor This isn't about moving fast. It's about moving in the right order. When you follow this progression, you're not operating like a contractor. You're operating like a CMO — thinking, leading, and making decisions. Ready to take the next step? If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO. 🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

    11 min

  3. APR 7

    My $20,000 Strategy Process (And The Mistakes Fractional CMOs Make)

    I charge up to $20,000 for a marketing strategy — and in this episode I’m pulling back the curtain on exactly how I build it. Most fractional CMOs are winging their strategy process and massively undercharging because of it. So I’m walking you through my exact four-phase process — Discovery, Strategy Development, Delivery, and Alignment & Next Steps — and the mistakes I see people make at every stage. Ready to take the next step? If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO. 🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

    12 min

  4. MAR 31

    Why Most Marketing Hires Fail (And How to Fix It)

    I see this all the time — founders frustrated with their hires, marketers frustrated with their clients, and everyone pointing the finger at the other person. But most of the time, it’s actually no one’s fault. In today’s episode, I’m breaking down: The biggest misunderstanding around hiring marketing supportWhy you’re not getting better resultsThe unrealistic expectations placed on one “unicorn” hireAnd the industry dynamic that keeps founders investing in tactics instead of building strategy If you’ve ever hired “marketing help” and still ended up feeling overwhelmed, unsupported, or unsure what’s actually working, this episode is for you. And if you’re a marketer, this will help you see where unclear roles and structural gaps are setting you up for failure — even when you’re doing the best you can. Ready to take the next step? If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO. 🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

    12 min

  5. MAR 24

    Why Clients Don’t See You as A Leader (And How to Fix It)

    How your clients see you determines everything — how much they trust your decisions, how often they question your strategy, how much control they take in meetings, and ultimately how much they’re willing to pay you as a Fractional CMO. If you’ve ever felt a client slowly start directing you, second-guessing your recommendations, or treating you more like an executor than a strategic leader, this episode will help you understand why. In this episode, I break down: The communication shifts that position you as a strategic leaderThe subtle behaviors that weaken your authorityThe biggest mistake marketers make when they’re trying to show up as a leaderAnd how to recalibrate the dynamic with a client if you’re sensing they don’t see you as a leader This isn’t about being louder or more dominant. It’s about showing up with clarity, direction, and confidence in every interaction. Because being a CMO isn’t just about strategy — it’s about leadership and communication. Ready to take the next step? If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO. 🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

    14 min

  6. MAR 17

    What I Do (and Don’t Do) With Campaigns and Launches as a Fractional CMO

    Launches and marketing campaigns are one of the biggest areas, I see Fractional CMOs overstep their boundaries, It starts with mapping out a campaign or launch…and quickly turns into building timelines, reviewing every asset, sitting in execution meetings, and basically project managing everything. In this episode of my “What I Do and Don’t Do as a CMO” series, I’m breaking down how I approach campaign and launch planning including: The 6 key things I own when planning campaigns or launchesThe difference between strategy and project managementWhere most CMOs overstep during a launch or campaignAnd the filter I use to protect my time and boundaries If you’ve ever had PTSD from launching or doing marketing campaigns (lol I feel you), this episode will help you reset your boundaries and operate at the CMO level. Ready to take the next step? If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO. 🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

    22 min

  7. MAR 10

    What I Do (and Don’t Do) With Hiring for Clients as a Fractional CMO

    When you don’t know what you should own (and what you shouldn’t) during the hiring process, you end up posting job descriptions, screening resumes, running interviews, onboarding new hires…and quickly turning your fractional role into a full-time job. In this episode of my series “What I Do and Don’t Do as a CMO,” I’m breaking down how I handle hiring for clients. We cover: The 5 things I own when it comes to hiring for client teamsThe biggest mistake I see marketers make when they try to “be helpful” with hiring Where the line is between strategic leadership and operational recruitingAnd the simple filter I use to protect my time and keep my boundaries Hiring impacts marketing performance — but running the entire process is not your job. If you’ve ever found yourself slipping into recruiter or marketing manager mode, this episode will help you reset your boundaries and operate at the CMO level. Ready to take the next step? If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO. 🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/

    11 min

  8. MAR 3

    Three Ways to Get Clients as a Fractional CMO (No Audience Needed)

    You don’t need a huge audience to get Fractional CMO clients. But you do need to stop approaching sales like a freelancer. If you’ve been posting educational content, creating freebies, or “putting yourself out there” and it’s not turning into clients, this episode will show you exactly why and what to do instead. Today, I’m breaking down the 3 fastest ways to get booked as a Fractional CMO — and what most marketers are doing wrong when they try. In this episode I break down: The three fastest ways to get Fractional CMO clients, like yesterdayThe biggest mistakes I see marketers make when they’re looking for clientsA simple “start here” plan you can follow over the next 30 days to help you land clients fastAnd the one sentence that instantly positions you as a leader instead of “someone who helps with marketing” If you’re done hoping dream clients will just land in your inbox, and you're ready to take things into your hands and make it happen, this episode will show you exactly how to do that. Ready to take the next step? If you’re ready to step into the Fractional CMO role but want support as you do it, Fractional CMO School is a 6-month coaching program + community to help you confidently land high-ticket clients and build a 6-figure (and beyond) business as a Fractional CMO. 🎓 Learn More → http://www.fractional-cmo-school.com/ RESOURCES Become a Booked Out CMO - Get my free cold pitch email templates here: Fractional CMO Sales Email Templates — The CMO Office

    26 min
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5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

CMO School is the go-to podcast for marketers and Fractional CMOs ready to step into leadership, own their expertise, and build a career or business that actually works for them. Whether you're looking to elevate your skills, transition into a CMO role, or scale your Fractional business, this podcast delivers strategies, expert insights, and the mindset shifts you need to create a career you love. Hosted by Jess Shirra—a 15+ year marketing leader, Fractional CMO, and founder of Fractional CMO School—this show takes you behind the scenes on what actually works in marketing, business, and leadership. Jess has worked with powerhouse brands and creators like Lululemon, Pottery Barn, Strava, Jenna Kutcher, Lori Harder, and more—and now, she’s sharing those lessons with you. Each episode, we dive into proven strategies, practical insights, and candid conversations on topics like: How to step into leadership as a marketer and own your expertise How to confidently price your services and build a business that supports the life you want What it really takes to succeed as a Fractional CMO How to show up as a CMO for your clients, deliver powerful strategy, and lead teams effectively Lessons from experts across marketing, mindset, and entrepreneurship to help you grow Whether you're a corporate marketer exploring the Fractional path, a new Fractional CMO figuring it all out, or a seasoned leader looking to scale and systematize your business, CMO School will give you the tools, insights, and confidence to create a career that gives you freedom, fulfillment, and flexibility—on your terms. New episodes drop weekly! Subscribe now and start building a marketing career that lights you up.

Information

  • Creator
    Jessica Shirra | Fractional CMO
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Jessica Shirra | Fractional CMO
  • Show Website
    CMO School

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