Everything you want to know before we work together

  • Why not hire a part-time employee instead?

    Part-time hires are a gamble; they often need training, can feel disconnected, and take effort to onboard. I come in with a breadth of experience and a ready-to-go framework tailored to your goals. It’s less cost, less risk, and more progress…faster.

  • This sounds expensive for a small business.

    I get it- marketing is an investment, and it should pay off. Hiring an agency or in-house team can cost thousands a month just to get started. I offer fractional marketing leadership with real execution, minus the overhead. Most clients see meaningful progress within 90 days, with clear goals, measurable results, and a partner who's all in.

  • Can’t I just do this myself or use AI tools?

    You can- but without a strategy, tools often create more noise than results. I help you use them smarter, aligned to what actually drives your customer to take action. I’ll build the marketing strategy and give you time back to run the business.

  • Do you specialize in my industry?

    I specialize in understanding your customer’s brain, and turning that into marketing that works. From local restaurants to online retailers, the foundation is the same: speak to your audience clearly and consistently.

  • We’ve worked with agencies before. It didn’t work.

    Totally fair. I’ve worked inside digital marketing agencies and know firsthand the pros and cons. That’s why I do things differently. You work directly with me- no account managers, no approval delays, no cookie-cutter campaigns. Just focused, hands-on strategy that gets results.

  • What can I expect from you?

    It all begins with a real conversation. No sales pitch, just a chance to dig into your goals, challenges, and what’s getting in the way. If we’re a good fit, I’ll create a focused plan tailored to your business and bandwidth. You’ll always know what’s happening, why it matters, and how it’s moving you forward. We work collaboratively, move quickly, and make adjustments along the way. I’m responsive, transparent, and fully invested- because when you win, I win too.

Who’s the best fit for your goals?

Joe Dreher In-house marketing hire
(part or full time)		 Marketing agency Cousin influencer
Typical cost
  • Free Discovery Call
  • $4,000 – $7,500 per month retainer
  • $1,700 À-la-carte add-ons
  • $2,000 – $10,000 per month salary
  • Taxes and benefits extra
  • $5,000 – $15,000 per month retainer
  • Plus ad-spend mark-ups
 Two slices of cold pizza, a selfie shout-out and “massive exposure”
Depth of expertise
  • 15+ years strategy and brand
  • Marketing operations across channels
  • Process optimisation
  • Junior to senior range
  • Depth varies by hire
  • Diverse specialist bench
  • Not all dedicated to you
 Master of duck-face angles and viral highschool slang
Focus and flexibility
  • Hours scale as needed
  • Owner-level partnership
  • Part-time juggles gigs
  • Full-time fixed cost
 Fixed scope – change means invoice Replies only between naps and livestreams
Speed to impact
  • Onboard in one week
  • KPIs improve within 30 to 60 days
  • Single approval path
  • 30 to 90 days to recruit and ramp
  • Faster once embedded
  • Two to four weeks to brief and scope
  • Multiple approval layers slow changes
  • First results after 60 to 90 days
 Posts when the vibes are right, maybe next lunar cycle
Tool stack
  • Enterprise tools included
  • Proven playbooks ready to deploy
 You purchase tools and training Tools baked into retainer Stanley mug, ring light, 47 random apps
Management overhead Minimal – proactive updates Needs direction plus HR admin Account manager relays information "We're family, right?"
Accountability
  • Weekly KPI dashboards
  • Revenue and cost-per-lead goals
  • Direct line for fast pivots
  • Progress in internal systems
  • Outcome focus depends on leadership
  • Monthly slide-deck reports
  • Emphasis on impressions and clicks
  • Revenue link often indirect
 Success measured in LOL counts and fire-emoji reactions
Culture fit Entrepreneurial and local Embeds well if coached External team – alignment varies Replaces meetings with TikTok dance challenges

👇 The bottom line

  • Hire Me for senior-level strategy, fast execution and measurable growth, without payroll pains or agency bloat.

  • Part-Time / Full-Time Hire if you have narrow, steady tasks, HR admin, and time/staff to manage closely.

  • Agency if you need a broad skill bench, low urgency, and don’t mind being one of many accounts.

  • Cousin “Influencer” …let’s be honest, you know better.

I’ve answered the big questions, provided a comparison, and now you’re ready to explore next steps on a free discovery call.