CMO School

Jessica Shirra | Fractional CMO
  • 5.0 (5)
  • 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. 14h ago

    How to Become a Fractional CMO: 5 Things to Do BEFORE You Quit

    Quitting your corporate job too early is why so many new Fractionals undercharge, take on bad-fit clients just to pay the bills, and burn out 6 months in wondering if they made the right call. The advice to "just take the leap" is great — I'm a huge believer in moving fast — but going Fractional is a business build, not a job change, and the best time to start building it is while you've still got a paycheck coming in. In this episode, I break down: The 5 things I'd do BEFORE quitting my corporate job to go Fractional (you can steal the exact list!)The asset you should be building while you're still inside the company (it'll sell for you for the next 5 years)The exact ask I'd send to your network that warms up half your first clients without a single pitchThe runway number that lets you charge what you're worth instead of what you need If you're sitting at your desk thinking "I'm ready for this, but I have no idea where to start" — you'll love this episode. 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/ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Don't Quit Your Job Yet 01:00 The Positioning Advantage Most Marketers Miss 03:00 Build Proof Before You Need It 05:15 Learn From People Already Doing It 07:30 Start Building Your Reputation Now 09:15 Why LinkedIn Matters More Than You Think 11:00 The Runway and Offer Strategy That Changes Everything 12:20 Your Fractional CMO Exit Plan

    13 min

  2. Jun 9

    What To Do When Your Fractional CMO Client Has No Team To Execute

    The worst thing that happens on a fractional CMO engagement isn't bad strategy — it's good strategy with no one to actually execute it. Every Fractional CMO will eventually land a client who doesn't have the right team to do the work. How you handle is everything. In this episode, I break down: The 3 types of team gaps every fractional CMO will eventually hitThe common mistakes that shift you from leader to doer fast (and are hard to come back from)3 ways to solve team gaps without filling them ourself Plus, the reframe that turns this whole problem into a pricing and scoping opportunity in your favor. Your job as a fractional CMO is to build and run the marketing function. Not to be the marketing function. 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/ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 The Fastest Way to Devalue Yourself as a CMO 01:15 The 3 Team Gaps Every Fractional CMO Will Face 04:15 The Mistakes That Turn CMOs Into Doers 07:30 Stop Taking Ownership of Client Urgency 09:15 How Smart CMOs Solve Team Gaps 10:00 Build a Bench of Trusted Contractors 12:15 The Integrator and HR Partnership Strategy 15:15 Turning Team Gaps Into More Revenue 17:00 Protect Your Strategic Value

    18 min

  3. Jun 2

    Can I Be A Fractional CMO If I've Never Been A CMO Before?

    You can be a Fractional CMO without ever having held the CMO title before. If you've been counting yourself out of Fractional CMO work because you’re not sure you’re experienced enough, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down: Why your past job title is not as important as you think it isThe three things you need to be a CMOWhat to do when you’re not *quite* qualified for a roleAnd the shift you need to make if you want to step into Fractional CMO work If you've been counting yourself out of Fractional CMO work because of what's on your resume — you're going to love this episode. 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/ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Can You Be a Fractional CMO Without the Title? 01:00 What the CMO Role Actually Is 02:00 The First Sign You're Already Thinking Like a CMO 03:15 Why Business Thinking Matters More Than Marketing Skills 04:45 Stop Acting Like an Executor 06:00 Nobody Is Going to Tell You You're Ready 04:50 The Bare Minimum You Need Online 05:40 How to Build Credibility Fast 06:10 Why I’d Focus on LinkedIn 06:45 Instagram Clients Are Different

    7 min

  4. May 26

    Stop Posting on Social Media to Get Clients as a Fractional CMO

    Posting on social media is one of the least effective easy to get clients as a Fractional CMO. I'm a huge believer in being visible online — but social media for lead generation is the SLOWEST and most exhausting route to landing high-ticket Fractional CMO clients. In this episode, I break down: 3 reasons social media isn't landing you high-ticket Fractional CMO clientsWhere high-ticket clients DO come from — and why most Fractionals are looking in the wrong placeThe reframe I give my students that ends the content hamster wheel for goodHow to make your channels work for you WITHOUT posting every day (you'll get hours back) If you've been grinding to create social media content on the daily, and not seeing the return on your time, you’ll love this video. 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/ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Social Media Didn't Build My Business 00:40 Why Most Social Media Leads Are Bad Fits 01:40 The Content Creation Hamster Wheel 02:50 How High-Ticket Clients Actually Buy 04:10 The Real Purpose of Social Media 05:20 How to Look Credible Without Posting Every Day 06:45 Why LinkedIn Beats Every Other Platform 07:30 Stop Chasing Content

    8 min

  5. May 19

    5 Ways to Beat Imposter Syndrome That Work Right Away

    Imposter syndrome is why most Fractional CMOs undercharge, second-guess their strategy, and shrink in client meetings. And the advice everyone gives you to "work on your mindset” is great, and I'm a huge believer in it — but that takes TIME. And if you've got clients you're leading right now, you need something that works IMMEDIATELY. In this episode, we break down: 5 tips to help you get past imposter syndrome fastHow to build trust with clients (even when you don't have all the answers)Why you don't need to be the expert in everything as a CMOThe ONE thing that dissolves imposter syndrome faster than anything elseThe question I ask myself when I get stuck in my head with a client (steal it!) If you're working as a Fractional CMO and imposter syndrome is keeping you from showing up like the leader your clients hired you to be you’ll love this episode. 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/ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Most Imposter Syndrome Advice Is Useless 01:00 You Don't Need to Know Everything 02:15 Build a Team That Fills Your Gaps 03:45 Get Behind the Curtain 05:20 Focus on Results, Not Expertise 06:50 Remember Who You're There For 08:15 The Real Way to Beat Imposter Syndrome

    10 min

  6. May 12

    Do I Even Want To Be A Fractional CMO? | Live Coaching Call

    So many people start Fractional work then find themselves burnt out, and questioning if this model is even a fit for them. I sat down with one of my Fractional CMO School students, for a live coaching call. Lisa came to me feeling disillusioned with the fractional model after a few client experiences, and wondering what to do next. I helped her see that didn't hate the model, she just wasn’t operating inside the right structure. She had been making the same mistakes I see others make all the time, so I asked her to come on the podcast because I KNEW her experience would be so helpful for many others. In this episode, we break down: The biggest mistake I see CMO’s make when building out strategies (that actually overwhelms your clients too)The most common places where Fractionals end up overdelivering in their roleA simple filter you can use to make sure you stay in your lane and only do CMO-level workThe driving analogy that helped me step into leadership and totally changed how my clients saw me (you can steal it!) If you're working as a Fractional but you’re buried in your client's Slack, your days are FULL of meetings, and you’re being pulled in a million directions, this episode is for you. 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/ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Why Fractional CMO Work Wasn't Working 03:25 Lisa's Background and Why She Made the Shift 08:00 The Strategy Scope Mistake Most Marketers Make 14:00 Why Overdelivering Creates Bigger Problems 22:15 When Fractional CMOs Become Operators 26:00 The Difference Between a CMO and a Marketing Manager 35:20 The Leadership Shift That Changes Everything 40:00 What It Really Means to Own the Marketing Function 45:15 How to Identify the Right Fractional CMO Clients 50:45 Why Every Growth-Stage Company Needs a Marketing Manager 56:00 Where AI Fits Into the Fractional CMO Role 01:04:00 Final Lessons on Scope, Boundaries and Client Fit

    1h 6m

  7. May 5

    How to Sell Fractional CMO Services: Sales Secrets From a 7-Figure CMO

    Sales is the one skill nobody teaches you as a fractional CMO — and it's the one that determines whether your business actually grows. Most of us got into this because we're good at marketing. Not because we love selling. For a long time, I hated it. I wasn't comfortable doing it, I didn't feel like I was good at it, and the idea of getting on a call where someone might say no felt awful. Four years and millions in client revenue later — sales is one of my strongest skills. In this episode, I'm breaking down every lesson that got me there: The mindset shift that made selling stop feeling grossThe one thing you can do to make people feel understood before you've pitched anything,Why I turn people away — and how it's built my businessHow to lead a sales call so you're never getting interviewedHow to say your high-ticket prices without flinching.And what you can do to get better at sales. If sales still feels uncomfortable, or it’s something you want to get better at, this episode is for you. 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/ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 I Used to Hate Sales 01:00 The 3 Shifts That Changed Everything 01:30 Why Sales Is Really Service 02:45 Empathy Is Your Competitive Advantage 04:00 The Power of Selling With Integrity 05:15 How to Lead a Sales Call 07:45 The Secret to Saying Your Price Confidently 10:00 The Only Way to Get Better at Sales 11:10 Why Confidence Comes From Reps

    13 min

  8. Apr 28

    How to Shift From Doing Marketing to Leading Marketing as a Fractional CMO

    What you spend your time on determines everything — how visible you are to your client, how much authority you actually have, how much they'll pay you, and whether you burn out. If you've ever felt like you're executing all the marketing while your client sees you as someone who takes direction instead of sets it, this episode will help you understand why. In this episode, I break down: The four things a CMO actually owns (and where execution lives)The daily filter you use to know if you're staying in the right scopeWhy staying in execution keeps you invisible — and what that costs youWhat happens when you start setting these boundaries This shift isn't about confidence or willpower. It's about clarity on your role. And once you have that, everything changes — how your client sees you, what you charge, how much control you have over your time. Because stepping into the CMO role isn't about doing more. It's about operating at a different 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/

    17 min
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5
out of 5
5 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
    52
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Jessica Shirra | Fractional CMO
  • Show Website
    CMO School

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