We have a clear business goal that marketing is expected to support We can articulate specific marketing outcomes we want from this engagement We understand whether we need strategy, execution, or both We know whether the role is short-term or ongoing—and why We have a rough idea of which type of external support is best (freelance vs. fractional)

Key stakeholders agree on the need for external marketing support Everyone understands the difference between freelance and fractional talent There's no internal resistance or fear that the hire will "replace" someone We've identified an internal owner who will manage or collaborate with this person We've discussed how this hire will integrate with our existing team and workflows

We can provide access to the necessary tools (CMS, CRM, Slack, ad platforms, etc.) We have existing processes or are open to adopting ones they recommend We can grant the right permissions quickly We can commit to a point person for onboarding and approvals We have at least basic documentation or context about past marketing efforts

We've set a rough budget range that reflects market rates for the role We understand typical pricing models (e.g., project-based, hourly, retainer) We're ready to pay competitive rates for high-quality support We've budgeted time for feedback and review We've planned for related costs (tools, assets, platforms)

We can describe what success looks like in this role We're ready to provide clear, timely feedback We've decided how often we want updates (and in what format) We're prepared to share our brand guidelines and tone of voice We can name key people they'll work with and what decisions they control