CMO School

You don’t need to know everything to be ready for the Fractional CMO role, but you do need to shift how you see yourself and show up.

In this episode, we’re unpacking the real reason so many experienced marketers hesitate to claim the title of Fractional CMO — and it’s not a lack of skills. It’s the belief that they have to be someone else first: more data-driven, more strategic, more “official.”

Here’s what we get into:

If you’ve ever held yourself back from posting, pitching, or showing up because you were afraid of being judged, rejected, or just not “ready” -  this episode is going to shift something for you.

In this conversation, I’m joined by Maureen Evelyn -  content strategist, personal brand coach, and the founder of Maureen’s Marketing. Maureen helps bold entrepreneurs turn their content into clients by building visibility, authority, and trust at scale. She’s known for creating over 100 pieces of content a month (without burning out) -  and for helping her clients do the same.

We’ll talk...

Evergreen funnels sound like the dream - automated leads, passive income, a marketing system that runs in the background. But for most businesses, funnels don’t work the way they expect.

So, what separates a funnel that actually converts from one that just burns time and money?

In today’s episode, I sit down with Cheyenne Buttrey, founder of Copygirl.co, to break down what marketers need to know before investing in a funnel.

We’re covering:

I got an email recently that really made me think. It was from someone who turned down an unpaid speaking opportunity within my program, firmly stating that they don’t work for free - and honestly? I respect that. I’ve always been a big advocate for charging what you’re worth.

But here’s the thing…some of the biggest opportunities in my career started as unpaid. Speaking engagements, free power hours, strategic collaborations – when done intentionally – have led to massive payoffs (I’m talking six-figures-from-one-client kind of payoffs).

So in this episode, we’re digging into:<...

Paid ads can be a game-changer - but only if you know how to hire and manage the right team. As a Fractional CMO or marketing leader, your job isn’t to run ads—it’s to hire and manage an agency that can deliver results for your clients.

In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Spivak, CEO of The Ad Girls, to break down exactly how CMOs can make paid ads work as part of a larger marketing strategy. Jennifer and I have worked together on countless client accounts, and she’s sharing her best insights...

What actually happens in the first 90 days when a Fractional CMO steps into a business? Where should the focus be? How do you know if it’s working? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my exact process—from the deep-dive audit that reveals hidden opportunities to the quick wins that drive immediate results, to building a marketing strategy that sets the foundation for long-term growth. Whether you're hiring a Fractional CMO or stepping into the role yourself, this episode breaks down what to expect, what matters most in those first 90 days, and how to ensure you’re...

Welcome to CMO School, the go-to podcast for marketers who are ready to level up. I’m Jess Shirra, a Fractional CMO, marketing strategist, and founder of Fractional CMO School. After 15+ years leading marketing for brands like Lululemon, Pottery Barn, Strava, Jenna Kutcher, and Lori Harder, I’m here to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to drive growth, lead strategy, and step into your next chapter.

Expect expert insights, real talk about what works (and what doesn’t), and actionable strategies to help you think like a CMO—whether you’re climbing the ladder or...

The term Fractional CMO is everywhere right now, but let’s be real—most people have no idea what it actually means. If you’ve been wondering, Is this just a fancy name for a marketing consultant? Do they run my ads? Why would I hire one instead of a full-time CMO?—this episode is for you.

I’m breaking down exactly what a Fractional CMO does, what they don’t do, and why so many businesses hire one for the wrong reasons. We’ll talk about when you actually need a Fractional CMO, how they fit into your busi...

Ever had a moment as a marketer where you thought, I hate marketing? You’re not alone. I’ve been there - more than once. But every single time, it wasn’t marketing itself that I hated - it was the wrong job, wrong boss, or doing work that didn’t align with what I loved.

In this episode, I’m joined by my longtime friend, Jessica Turner, who started her career in marketing with me but ultimately took a different path, stepping into product strategy. She’s seen my entire evolution -- from fresh-out-of-university marketer to Fractional C...