The Before-and-After Transformation: Finding Your Buyer Persona’s Core Message

Ruben’s YouTube video thumbnail of Before/After in the Customer Value Journey.

Here’s a question for you: How many movie plots involve someone who’s unhappy with some part of their life — but then something happens that changes everything (for the better)?  The ugly duckling turns into a beautiful swan. Neo goes from a computer hacker to a humanity-saving bada$$. Shrek goes from a snarky ogre with […]

Charting Your Customer Value Journey: A Step-By-Step Guide

Here at 8 SIGNAL, we believe the Customer Value Journey is *kind of* a big deal. Using this framework has the potential to take your business to the next level and turn total strangers into raving fans who want to tell everyone about your services — all by building meaningful relationships with your audience. In […]

The Power of Connection: 7 Ways to Forge Stronger Donor Relationships for Your Non-Profit

Multicolored, abstract, connected lines with pins symbolizing strong donor relationships.

Alicia is in leadership with a non-profit organization. She’s passionate about the organization’s mission, and they’re making an impact on their community. Alicia is keenly aware that this isn’t a “one-woman show” — the non-profit’s donor base is the backbone of the organization. But… COMMUNICATION. IS. HARD.  Alicia struggles with keeping donors informed and connected. […]

The top 5 responsibilities in a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer’s job description

Recruitment search job vacancy.

People can get SUPER creative with job descriptions. Like this one for a construction worker (or “Construction Chaos Engineer”): A college professor: An orchestra percussionist: We’ve talked before about the role of and qualifications for a great fractional chief marketing officer (Fractional Chief Marketing Officer): If that sounds like a pretty diverse and varied job […]

Do you need a marketing Ron Swanson or Obi-Wan Kenobi leading your team?

Sideways shot of two men competing over whether FCMO vs. full-time employees are better.

Your business is growing.  You know that you need marketing help, but it can be very confusing to decide which direction to take.  Does your business need to hire a full-time marketing person? Do you need a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer (fractional chief marketing officer)? Or will you be fine just utilizing the general marketing […]

How to convince your boss to hire a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer

Emotional middle-aged Asian lady points at a blank text bubble.

Anita is tired. She and the rest of the team have been hitting a wall in their marketing efforts, but you can’t really blame them — none of them have done this before! The business is growing, and the team is doing their best to take on responsibilities and meet marketing goals. But the truth […]

The secret recipe for a great fractional CMO

Woman lifts the lid on a large pot of spaghetti sauce.

The world is full of secret recipes. Whether it’s the secret formula to Coca-Cola, the Colonel’s secret blend of eleven herbs and spices, Chick-fil-A sauce (it’s honey mustard and barbeque), or your neighbor Betsy’s spaghetti — the special elements that make a product awesome are often closely guarded.  At 8 SIGNAL, we believe we know […]

Star Wars, Darth Vader, and what to expect from fractional CMO services

Yorkie with Star Wars toy illustrating fractional vs. full-time CMO

It’s one of the greatest villain debuts of all time.  The Empire’s troops are assembled in rank, and the commander gulps nervously as the door opens. Khhhhh….pshhhh….khhhhh…pshhhh In walks Darth Vader — and he’s not happy. There’s a schedule to get the Death Star fully operational, but the process needs to speed up NOW!  They […]