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When to bring in a fractional PPC strategist

You have someone — an internal marketer, a junior agency, a freelancer — running your ads. But you’re unsure if the strategy is right. Are bids set correctly? Is your audience targeting too broad? Why is conversion cost creeping up?

That’s where a fractional senior strategist comes in. I review your account structure, spot inefficiencies or missed opportunities, and advise on the next quarter’s strategy without taking over day-to-day. I’ve seen a lot of accounts — ecommerce stores, trades businesses, D2C brands — and patterns emerge fast.

What a consultation typically covers

How a consultation works

  1. Prep call (15 min)You give me access to your Google Ads account (read-only). I ask about your target ROAS, current ad spend, and biggest pain point.
  2. Deep audit (1–2 weeks)I dig through campaign structure, keywords, audiences, conversion data, and spend trends. I document findings in a spreadsheet.
  3. Strategy call (60 min)We walk through findings. I show you the waste, the opportunities, and my recommendation for the next 90 days. You decide if you want to implement it yourself, brief your current operator, or bring me in for ongoing work.
  4. Optional follow-upIf you want ongoing fractional strategy — monthly reviews, mid-quarter adjustments, seasonal planning — we can set that up on a retainer.

Honest feedback, even if the news is good

Not every account is a disaster. I’ve seen plenty where the current person is doing solid work — they just lack seniority or bandwidth to push harder. I’ll tell you that too. No pressure to hire me if you don’t need it.

Fractional strategy pricing

A one-off consultation starts from £300/month retainer equivalent (we discuss scope). If you want ongoing monthly strategy — reviews, planning, bid adjustments — I quote based on your spend and complexity. Call for a tailored fee.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need read or write access to my Google Ads account?

Read-only is enough for a strategy audit. If we move to ongoing fractional work, I’ll ask for write access so I can test and execute recommendations without constant back-and-forth.

How long is a full strategy consultation?

The audit takes 1–2 weeks depending on account size. Total time investment from you is about 90 minutes — a prep call, a deep-dive strategy call, and any follow-ups. Then you have a roadmap.

What if I discover you recommend something my current operator disagrees with?

That’s fine — it happens. I’ll document my reasoning in writing. Then it’s your call: follow my advice, ask your current operator why they chose differently, or get a third opinion. I’m here to advise, not override.

Do you offer fractional strategy for Salford and Greater Manchester businesses?

Yes. I work with businesses across Greater Manchester — Salford, Eccles, Manchester, Radcliffe, and beyond. Fractional strategy is perfect if you’re too small for full management but need senior input. We meet monthly via Zoom or call.

Can you help if I'm not sure what a good ROAS target is?

Yes. That’s part of the strategy work. I’ll ask about your margin, average order value, and customer lifetime value. Then we set a realistic ROAS and work back to bid strategy and spend. It’s nuanced — best fit niches like ecommerce and home services have different benchmarks.

Get a second opinion on your Google Ads

Message me on 07410 907 104 or fill in the form to book a free 15-minute prep call. We'll agree on audit scope, timeline, and fee. No obligation to hire me for ongoing work.

Call 07410 907 104 Book a consultation