Navigating the Fractional Movement: Insights from My Conversation with Taylor Crane

Imagine breaking free from the confines of traditional work, leveraging your expertise on your terms, and carving out a niche in the ever-evolving fractional world. This is exactly what Taylor Crane, founder of Fractional Jobs, has done. In my recent conversation with Taylor, he shared his transformative journey, brimming with actionable insights and strategies for anyone eager to thrive in this space. In this blog, I’ll share highlights of our conversation, exploring Taylor’s path, his top tips for finding clients, and his visionary outlook on the future of fractional work.

From tech startups to fractional leadership

Taylor’s impressive background in tech startups and software development set the stage for a transformative career shift. As a seasoned product manager in New York’s early-stage startup scene, Taylor made a daring entrepreneurial leap in 2020 by founding a venture-backed company. After experiencing the intense highs and lows of the startup world, he successfully exited the venture, prompting a period of deep reflection. Driven by a passion for supporting other founders, Taylor transitioned into a fractional head of product role, leveraging his expertise to guide early-stage startups.

This experience ignited his enthusiasm for the fractional movement, leading him to launch his second venture, Fractional Jobs, much sooner than anticipated. Now, Fractional Jobs stands as a dynamic talent marketplace, connecting fractional leaders with startups eager to hire their specialized skills. Taylor’s story is a testament to the power of following your passion and embracing new opportunities in the fractional work landscape.

Finding the first clients

A question that often plagues aspiring fractional leaders is, “How do I land my first clients?” Taylor’s answer is simple yet profoundly effective. He started by writing a concise blurb outlining his services and shared it on X (formerly Twitter), asking his network for feedback. This seemingly modest action led to his first client – an old high school friend who needed expertise in a web3 project. 

Taylor’s experience underscores a powerful lesson: leverage your immediate network. “The first place to find your clients is through your immediate network for sure,” he says. His second client came from a Slack group of founders, further highlighting the untapped potential within your own connections.

Approaching companies and building trust

In the world of fractional work, establishing trust and making the right connections are key, and Taylor’s approach offers valuable insights into these critical steps. Although Taylor is relatively new to this journey and doesn’t come from a sales background, he has discovered effective strategies for building trust with companies. His active presence on LinkedIn, where his posts about fractional work resonate well, has also been a significant source of connections. These interactions often lead to deeper engagement with potential clients.

Another key strategy involves direct outreach. Taylor's team is plugged into about 175 different Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and other platforms where companies express interest in fractional hiring. He reaches out via email, explaining the benefits of Fractional Jobs and why their approach is more effective than traditional job postings on platforms like LinkedIn. This method has yielded impressive conversion rates.

Interestingly, while SEO strategies have proven beneficial for attracting fractional talent, they haven’t been as successful for hiring clients. Taylor notes that many companies are not yet familiar with searching for fractional roles using specific keywords like “hire fractional CMO.” This insight has shaped his approach, focusing more on personalized outreach and network engagement.

Popular fractional roles and their impact on startups

At Fractional Jobs, a wide range of function areas is supported, with marketing, engineering, and design emerging as the most sought-after roles among startups. Interestingly, while marketing, product, and operations are popular among fractionals in general, the Fractional Jobs network leans heavily toward technical expertise due to its strong startup focus. Commonly, companies seek fractional CFOs and HR leaders, but there is a significant demand for strategic guidance roles, especially in engineering and marketing.

Many startups struggle with strategic leadership in their technical teams. A non-technical CEO might need an experienced engineer to provide the strategic oversight their team lacks. Similarly, marketing roles often require strategic input that the founders may not be equipped to handle. One notable placement by Fractional Jobs was a head of user acquisition for a Series A startup. This role involved managing paid acquisition efforts and liaising with external agencies, a task too specialized for the founders alone.

This pattern highlights a key trend: startups often need strategic help but lack the budget for full-time hires. Fractional roles offer a flexible solution, providing high-level expertise on a part-time basis, allowing companies to thrive without overextending their resources. Taylor’s insights underscore the critical role of fractional talent in driving startup success through targeted, strategic contributions.

Assessing demand for fractional services

A common question in the fractional space is, “Is there demand for my service?” Taylor frequently encounters this question and responds with optimism and insight. It depends on the service, but he often sees amazing niches with great potential. For example, a fractional head of user research is a role Taylor finds incredibly exciting, even though it’s not yet common. 

His enthusiasm stems from his product background, recognizing the importance of such roles. However, he notes that many startups can’t afford full-time positions like these, making fractional roles a perfect solution. Taylor remains hopeful, saying, “I can't wait [to see this niche grow]. I’m not seeing a ton of it yet, but I hope to see it in the future.”

Decoding the term “fractional”: what it really means

The term “fractional” often ignites debates about its true meaning and scope. Taylor provides his definitive explanation: “Fractional work is part-time work typically paid on a monthly retainer and performed by experts in their field.” He explains that while some argue fractional roles must be C-suite positions, he believes expertise can come from various levels. 

A fractional social media manager or a senior IC role, like a staff engineer, can also fit this model. “You’re coming in with knowledge that you can apply on day one and hit the ground running,” Taylor says. This ability to hit the ground running is why companies hire fractional professionals—they bring immediate value without needing extensive training or development.

The future of fractional work

The fractional work ecosystem faces a significant challenge: matching millions of companies with millions of fractional professionals. Marketplaces like Upwork quickly become saturated, making it difficult for fractionals to stand out. Taylor believes that educating companies about the benefits of fractional leadership is crucial for the industry's growth.

Taylor emphasizes the need to unlock more companies caring about fractional roles, drawing parallels to the remote work trend that gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic. He shared anecdotes of initially skeptical founders who now have multiple roles listed on Fractional Jobs, highlighting the shift in perception and acceptance.

We both agree that fractional leaders must deliver exceptional results to reinforce the value of this model. It's critical for fractionals to excel in their roles to ensure companies see the benefits and continue to invest in fractional talent. Once hired, fractionals must change perceptions by delivering outstanding results and maintaining clear communication, proving that part-time experts can be just as effective, if not more so, than full-time employees.

There's no single solution for fractionals to reliably get work. Instead, they should view themselves as business owners, using multiple channels for lead generation and continuously investing in their personal brand and professional network. This multifaceted approach is important for sustained success in the evolving fractional work landscape.

Final thoughts‍

The excitement and passion that Taylor has for the fractional space are palpable. “I think it is a movement that is inevitable,” he says. “And I want to communicate that we're all figuring this out a bit as we go and trying to… chart the right path forward for this movement.” Taylor emphasizes the importance of committing to fractional work and leveraging networks, encouraging everyone to join the journey toward making a significant impact in this space.

Taylor’s evolution from tech startups to pioneering the fractional space is packed with invaluable insights for anyone in or considering a fractional role. His focus on leveraging networks, clear communication, and continuous learning provides a blueprint for success in this landscape. Embrace the mindset of a business owner, invest in your skills, and stay proactive in seizing new opportunities.

To connect with Taylor or learn more about Fractional Jobs, find him on LinkedIn and X, or visit his website, fractionaljobs.io. 

Mylance

This value-added article was written by Mylance. Mylance specializes in identifying the highest quality, most curated leads for your fractional business. We use 5 different criteria to identify companies and decision-makers who are likely to need your expertise:

1. Matches your niche / unique expertise.
2. Likely to have the budget.
3. Gaps on their team in your function.
4. Are fractional-friendly.
5. Have warm connections from your network.

To apply for access, submit an application and we'll evaluate your fit for the service. If you’re not ready for lead generation, we also have a free, vetted community for top fractional talent that includes workshops, a rates database, networking, and a lot of free resources to support your fractional business.