Fractional Growth Marketing for Early-Stage Startups
Senior-level marketing strategy and execution—before the first full-time hire.
Full-funnel marketing. Fractional cost.
I take a full-funnel approach that builds visibility, generates demand, and converts traffic into revenue.
Search & Visibility
People need your product or service—they just haven’t heard of you yet. I build SEO, AI/LLM search, and ASO strategies that make you discoverable.
Lead & Demand Generation
Traffic doesn’t always equal growth. I turn awareness and interest into an inbound pipeline by connecting content, funnels, and conversion paths.
Messaging & Positioning
If people don’t get it, they won’t buy it. I define your category, sharpen your messaging, and write the marketing and product copy that makes it click.
Product-Led Growth (PLG)
Product-led growth only works when users find value fast. I optimize onboarding, activation, and in-product experiences to drive conversion.
Lifecycle & Retention
Conversion is one thing, retention is another. I build, test, and optimize email, push, and SMS campaigns that keep growth compounding.
Analytics & Systems Setup
Behind every growth system is clean data. I set up the tools and tracking you need to see what’s working and what to optimize next.
What is fractional marketing?
Fractional marketing gives startups access to senior-level strategy and execution without the cost of a full-time hire. It’s the middle ground between hiring an agency and building an internal team—the work is flexible, fast, and built around your company’s stage and goals.
As a fractional marketer, I work directly with early-stage teams. I stay close to the work, make decisions, and build alongside you instead of advising from a distance.
Who you’re working with
Meet Mel
Hi, I’m Mel. I’m a growth marketer based in the SF Bay Area with nearly a decade of experience growing pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A companies. My experience spans across B2B SaaS, B2C, mobile app development, enterprise software, biotech, robotics, and hardware.
Most recently, I was the first marketing hire at HiHello, where I built the growth engine from scratch. I led content, SEO, and product-led growth that scaled the company to 2M+ users, 2,000+ B2B customers, and a multi-million-dollar inbound pipeline.
I started Mel Chiri Consulting because early-stage startups need senior marketing support before it makes sense to hire full-time. I love doing what I do because it allows me to be strategic yet scrappy, analytical yet creative, and I can do it all while raising a toddler and a dog (both of whom excel at keeping me humble).
Let's talk growth
I think we’d work well together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What else do you need to know?
Why should I work with you?
Because I’ve been in your shoes. I know what it’s like to grow a startup without a big team or unlimited budget, and I bring that same scrappy, strategic energy to every project.
What types of companies do you work with?
I mostly work with early-stage startups (Seed–Series A). My background spans both B2B and B2C SaaS, and I’ve worked across industries including mobile app development, enterprise software, biotech, robotics, and hardware.
What is your pricing?
I offer two packages depending on what you need. Once you fill out the contact form, we’ll set up a call to talk through your goals, and I’ll help you decide which option makes the most sense for your business.
Can you handle both strategy and execution?
Absolutely. I’ve done both at scale, and that’s exactly why I started consulting—founders need marketers who can think strategically and roll up their sleeves.
How can we get started?
I work with a limited number of clients at a time. The first step is to reach out through the contact form so we can connect, talk through your goals and timeline, and see if it’s a good fit.
Why should I hire a fractional marketer?
Hiring a fractional marketer gives you access to senior-level strategy and execution without committing to a full-time hire. It’s a great fit for early-stage startups that need real marketing support before they’re ready to build an internal team.