The Benefits of Hiring a Fractional Employee (aka Contractor) for your Marketing.

As businesses try to cut costs, many have explored using AI to replace employees (or even entire departments!) with varying levels of success. Thankfully, as more and more data pour out, one thing seems to be clear - AI is reportedly creating more work for many companies, not less. The human factor, as it turns out, is simply irreplaceable (at least when compared to current gen AI).

But companies have been trying to "cut the fat" for as long as people have been trading goods and services for money. Farmers that can't afford year-round help hire seasonal farm hands to work larger and larger plots - and win bigger, more lucrative contracts or gain greater market share. Political leaders that couldn't afford large full-time armies would hire mercenaries during times of conflict. Construction companies don't keep thousands of full-time tradesmen around - they hire them for specific jobs, and part ways when the work is done.

Why does this matter to you? In a world where marketing is being tossed to AI, companies are revealing something that many marketing professionals have known all along; Good marketing is expensive, but bad marketing is far more costly in the long run. For companies that need to mind their budgets, but can't afford to have lackluster marketing negatively impact their brand, the solution is simple...

What are "Fractional Employees"?

Contractors, consultants, pinch-hitters - we've all heard these titles before. "Fractional Employees" are exactly as they sound: Professionals that you hire on for a fraction of time. The genius that fractional employment brings is in its simplicity; You hire the individual to do set tasks for a set time, and then you shake hands and part ways. Instead of burdening existing full-time and part-time talent with greater work loads (turnover trigger 101), you hand off the tasks that no one has the capacity for to someone else for a short time. And while the phrase has the word "employee" don't be fooled - fractional employees are ultimately contractors, and don't fall under the same legal protections and expectations as actual employees.

Why Should I hire a Fractional Employee?

There are a few reasons why hiring a fractional employee is beneficial, and it all comes down to circumstance.

1. You don't have to compensate fractional employees with benefits packages.

   
   

   Medical coverage, dental coverage, PTO, bonuses, parental leave, sick days... all things that full-time and salaried employees tend to enjoy as part of their overall compensation packages. But fractional employees set a rate and work within it. No HR, no tax filings, no employment records, no spending accounts.

2. When you're done, you're done.

   
   

   Wish to offload your fractional employee? Follow the steps outlined in their contract and you're all done. A problematic full-time employee on the other hand could have many more legal rights that get in the way. That being said, fractional employees each come with their own unique contracts, and understanding those contracts is up to you.

3. Get expert help and advice for a fraction of the cost.

   
   

   Imagine that you owned a restaurant, and you hired and retained a full-time plumber in case of plumbing-related emergencies. That would be silly. When you need a plumber, you hire a plumber, and when they're done with their work, they leave. The same is true for fractional employees. If you only update your website 4 times a year, you wouldn't hire and retain a full-time web developer; you would bring one on as needed, and part ways when the work gets done. So would you spend $90,000 a year to keep a full-time plumber around, or spend $1400 once to fix the problem and move on?

4. Your company also saves money on tools, apps, subscriptions, etc.

   
   

   Wages are one thing, but you don't just hire a marketing employee. You also pay for their computer, pay for the design apps they use, subscriptions, and more. Fractional Employees (aka contractors) bring their own tools and subscriptions to the table. That saves you money on monthly app costs and up-front equipment costs!

When Should I Consider Hiring a Fractional Employee for my Marketing?

The short answer: When you need expert marketing to help grow your business, but can't afford a full-time employee.

In Canada, there is no federal standard defining "part-time" work. Instead, firms create their own policies around part-time work. Generally speaking, most companies consider 30 hours or less per-week to be part-time work.

So what if you need marketing help, but you don't need someone for 30-40 hours a week? That's when contractors (fractional employees) come in. Rambow Consulting Group helps fill in the gaps for companies that require expert effective marketing without needing to hire a full-time marketer's salary. This is great for:

• Not-for-Profit Organizations that only need 5-10 hours of help per month (psssst...Rambow Consulting Group has not-for-profit rates!)

• Companies that want to retain highly-professional marketing help but can't afford a senior-level marketer's yearly salary.

• Any organization that needs expert advice and help, but doesn't have enough work to justify a full-time employee.

So when should you consider hiring a contractor? Ask yourself "Do I have enough work to justify a full-time employee, or do I need to cover a very specific need for a few short hours a month?" If it's the latter, consider hiring a fractional employee.

"Can't I just hand this off to AI?" Sure you can get AI to do your marketing, but in the long it might cost you more (or at the very least, stunt your growth by starting you down the wrong path as far as your branding is concerned...) Why? We cover some of that in a different blog (click here!) and we definitely think it's worth reading! Honestly, hiring a fractional employee to cover your marketing - even part time - is likely to do wonders for your business.

Need Some Expert Marketing Advice? Consider Rambow Consulting Group!

We specialize in marketing and website updates/maintenance! When you need help filling the gaps in your marketing plan, consider Rambow Consulting Group. From document design to website overhauls, we won't rest until your marketing makes you shine! We offer a free initial consultation, and work to fit within your budget - much cheaper than a full time hire! Reach out today to see how we can help you grow your business.