Fractional Communications Chief
The short answer
A fractional communications chief is a senior communicator who writes a leader's words every week, part time, for a flat monthly fee. At Catalyst19, that's me, Ben Tobias, for $5,000 a month: your staff note, your posts, the Monday read for your crews and the statement when something breaks, written in your voice and approved by a named person on your team.
A 90-day first term, then month to month on 30 days' notice. First month paid before we start.
Book 20 minutesWhat you get
- Your words going out every week, in your voice: the staff note, the posts, the Monday read your crews hear out loud.
- The statement when something breaks.
- One standing hour with me every two weeks.
- A named person on your team approves everything before it goes out.
- I tell you when AI drafted something. No AI-generated voice or face speaks in your name.
- You own what I write for you. I keep my methods.
Who it's for
A leader with more people than voice: a growing company, a credit union, a contractor with a field workforce, a nonprofit between leaders. Usually there's no communications person, or the one you have is stretched thin.
What waiting costs
When people don't hear from the top, they fill the gap themselves. It shows up as turnover, rumors and a bad week in the news with nobody ready to speak. And it shows up as you, writing the staff note at 11 p.m.
Questions buyers ask
What does a fractional communications chief do?
Writes and runs a leader's communications, part time. With me, that's your weekly words to your people, your posts, the statement when something breaks and a standing hour every two weeks to plan what's next.
How much does a fractional communications chief cost?
Mine is $5,000 a month with no setup fee. The first term is 90 days, then it's month to month on 30 days' notice, and the first month is paid before we start. For market rates, see what a fractional communications director costs.
How is this different from a PR agency?
A PR agency usually bills for a team and is built to get you coverage. This is one person writing your words every week, to your people and the public, with a named reviewer on your side. If you need a media campaign, an agency may fit better, and I'll say so on the call.
Do you use AI?
Yes, for drafting, and I tell you when it did. A named person on your team approves everything before it goes out. No AI-generated voice or face speaks in your name.
Should I hire full time instead?
Hire full time if the work fills a week, you have a team to run, or someone needs to be in the building every day. If not, start fractional. More on that: full-time or fractional.
What happens on the 20-minute call?
You bring the job. You'll leave knowing which of the three fits, or that none does.
One person on the other end.
Former career police officer, six years as the Gainesville (FL) Police Department's only spokesperson.
Nearly a decade in corporate communications at a Fortune 60 insurer.
As a spokesperson, I fielded everything from barking dogs to a murder case that drew international media attention.
Bring the job.
20 minutes on Zoom. You'll leave knowing which one fits, or that none does.
Book 20 minutes