Threadline engagements begin with a conversation to understand your situation and determine whether this type of support makes sense. There is no preparation required and no pressure to commit.
If it seems like a fit, the work starts simply. We establish a regular cadence for conversation and adjust from there based on what you need.
The first step is a brief conversation to understand where you are and what you need. This is not a sales call. The purpose is to determine whether fractional marketing leadership is the right kind of support for your situation.
You do not need to prepare anything or have all the answers. The conversation is exploratory. If it becomes clear that a different approach would serve you better, that is a useful outcome.
If we decide to work together, the engagement is based on a monthly retainer. This provides ongoing access rather than billing by the hour or project.
Most clients benefit from regular touchpoints, typically one or two calls per week, with email access in between. The structure is flexible and adjusts based on your needs. Some periods may require more time, others less.
Understanding where fractional marketing leadership fits in relation to other forms of marketing support.
The early phase involves understanding your business, your marketing setup, and the decisions you are facing. This is not a formal audit or diagnostic phase. It is simply the process of getting oriented.
As context builds, the conversations become more focused. We identify where uncertainty exists, where decisions have stalled, and where experienced perspective can be most useful.
After the initial orientation, the work becomes more responsive. This might mean regular check-ins to discuss progress and upcoming decisions, or more concentrated time during periods of transition or uncertainty.
The relationship is designed to be low-friction. You do not need to prepare for meetings or formalize requests. The structure supports the kind of informal, ongoing conversation that helps you think through decisions as they arise.
Engagements continue for as long as they remain useful. Some clients work with Threadline for a few months while navigating a specific transition. Others maintain the relationship longer term as a steady source of strategic input.
Engagements continue for as long as they remain useful. Some clients work with Threadline for a few months while navigating a specific transition. Others maintain the relationship longer term as a steady source of strategic input.
This engagement model works best for business owners and executives who value access to experienced judgment but do not need someone managing marketing operations on a daily basis.
You might be running a business with a small team, working with freelancers, or handling marketing decisions alongside other responsibilities. You may feel confident about your business but uncertain about marketing choices.
The fit is strongest when you want strategic thinking and decision support rather than hands-on execution.
This is not a fit if you need someone to manage your marketing team, oversee campaigns, or take responsibility for execution. That requires full-time leadership.
It is also not suitable if you are looking for project-based consulting with formal deliverables and defined timelines. The value here is in ongoing access, not one-time strategic work.
Finally, if you need immediate execution support or are looking for an agency to run your marketing, that is a different kind of relationship.
Threadline works with a limited number of clients at any given time to maintain the quality and responsiveness that makes this model effective. If capacity is limited when you reach out, we will let you know and suggest a timeline for when an opening might be available.