079 – The Art of Fractional Leadership: Inside the World of a Marketing Maven

From marketing to team-building, there are many fields to navigate for the modern artist and creator. Very rarely is there a clear path, and most are faced with the A or B choice of jumping in and taking a big risk or choosing the much safer route of status quo stagnancy. In this episode of Creativity Excitement Emotion, David passes the mic with fractional CMO, marketing coach, college professor, and TV host extraordinaire Peter Murphy Lewis, who helps make the complicated entrepreneurial path simpler. Download the PDF Transcript Sponsors: Productivity, Performance & Profits Blackbook: Get a free copy of the “Definitive Guide to Productivity for Artists and Entrepreneurs.” The Renegade Musician: David’s magnum opus on building an independent music career is here! Highlights: 00:17 – Today’s guest, Peter Murphy Lewis 00:29 – What is a fractional CMO? 01:43 – Challenges Pete solves for his customers 04:17 – Interpreting data: How important is human involvement? 09:05 – How is marketing changing with the growth of AI? 13:04 – How artists can improve their marketing 24:25 – When is the right time for a solopreneur to find their first team member? 30:11 – Bass fishing 31:30 – Renaissance man 32:08 – Happiness is reality divided by expectations 33:29 – Success is in the prep work 34:47 – Books that have helped Peter 35:43 – What matters in life 39:18 – Peter’s forthcoming book 42:44 – Concluding thoughts Summary: In this wide-ranging conversation, Peter Murphy Lewis shares his expertise as a fractional CMO, discussing everything from data analysis and team building to marketing strategies for artists. With experience as a marketing coach, college professor, and TV host, Murphy Lewis offers practical insights for both established businesses and emerging creatives. Understanding the Role of a Fractional CMO A fractional CMO is far more than just a freelance marketer. Key distinctions include: Experience as a chief marketing officer for medium to large companies Comprehensive understanding of strategic planning and revenue operations Deep knowledge of the complete marketing stack Business acumen including budgeting and team management Available at a fraction of the cost of a full-time executive ($300-600k salary equivalent) Common Challenges and Solutions Murphy Lewis primarily helps CEOs of companies in the $2-15 million revenue range with: Data Analysis Making sense of overwhelming amounts of data Cleaning up "dirty" data Fixing broken attribution systems Team Scaling Hiring and developing talent Creating effective team structures Building sustainable growth systems The Evolution of Marketing in the AI Era Current Challenges Over-reliance on automation without understanding basics Misuse of customer data leading to privacy concerns Increased sophistication of competitors using data maliciously Ad blockers and other technological barriers Successful Approaches Focusing on human connection and storytelling Doubling down on personal relationships Creating targeted, niche communities Using technology to enhance rather than replace human interaction Marketing Strategies for Artists Murphy Lewis offers several key strategies for artists looking to grow their audience and business: 1. Leverage Bartering Exchange services with other professionals Find complementary skills that benefit both parties Use bartering to build relationships and network 2. Document and Repurpose Success Record testimonials after successful events Capture positive feedback in the moment Systematically repurpose positive press across multiple platforms 3. Build Strong Distribution Systems Utilize existing platforms (CD Baby, Tune Core, BookBaby) Create multiple revenue streams Maintain consistent presence across platforms 4. Develop Professional Marketing Materials