About Marc Bates
I'm a fractional marketing director for UK SMEs, based in Docklands, East London, and working with clients across the UK.
Most of my work is with professional services, tech, and other B2B businesses that need sharper strategy, clearer messaging, better websites, or stronger content — without hiring a full-time marketing director.
I also work with new and emerging businesses that need everything built from scratch: brand, website, content, design, the lot. These are usually funded startups or new ventures with great ideas but no marketing support. They need help getting their presence right the first time.
In both cases, the common thread is the need for senior marketing expertise without the overhead. Not a junior to manage, not an agency to brief – someone who can make the right calls and get things done quickly.
Two types of client:
I work with established businesses that need strategic direction: rebrands, repositioning, and websites that aren't converting visitors into enquiries. These companies usually have marketing happening, but it lacks a connecting thread. Activity is being produced, but it isn't clearly tied to positioning, growth objectives, or the right audiences.
Two ways to work together:
Fixed-price projects work best when there's a clear outcome: a new brand identity, a Wix Studio website, a repositioning, or a defined piece of strategy work. We agree the scope and price upfront, then deliver in manageable phases over 6–12 weeks.
Ongoing support works when you need senior marketing judgement regularly: prioritising activity, reviewing output, keeping content moving, and making sure decisions stay connected to the bigger picture. As little as one day per month, scaling up as needed.
My approach
Strategy first
Cosmetic changes don't fix positioning problems. We start by clarifying what we're solving, who needs to hear it, and what makes them care.
Options, not mandates
There are several ways to tackle most marketing challenges. I show you what I've seen work, we figure out what fits, and move forward from there.
Direct collaboration
I work with you directly, not through account managers. When projects need specialists – video, complex development, events – I bring in trusted partners.
AI search and what it means for your marketing
That strategy-first approach matters more now because search is changing.
AI-powered search tools – ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google's AI Overviews, etc. – are changing how businesses get found. They don't just rank pages; they judge which businesses genuinely know what they're doing and are worth recommending.
That changes the brief across everything I work on. A brand needs to be clear and consistent enough for AI to understand what a business does and who it's for. A website needs to prove real expertise, not just describe services. Content needs to answer real questions, not chase keywords.
This isn't a separate specialism – it runs through every project. It's also why the fundamentals matter more than ever: strong positioning, honest messaging, and content that earns its place.
Marc's background
Before going solo in 2014, I built my career in publishing, advertising, and content production. I started in advertising at East Midlands Newspapers and Emap, and studied Design at Winchester School of Art.
I've worked with multiple organisations, including the Department for Education, the British Heart Foundation, Microsoft, and the Institute of Design (magazine publishing and tender writing). Plus dozens of SMEs across supply chain management, training, consultancy, biotech and pharmaceuticals, specialist services, retail, automotive services, technology, and hospitality.
That breadth means I've seen what works across sectors, sizes and budgets — and I bring that perspective to every project.
Marc provided a no-nonsense approach to content development. He always recommended straightforward, practical solutions that enhanced functionality and audience comprehension. He presented technical detail in a way that was clear and easy for our customers to access, and offered a very cost-effective service."
George Stavrinidis, CEO, Lone Worker Solutions, and Cadence Performance
Let's build something that works harder
Whether you need a full rebrand, a website that generates enquiries, or a marketing professional to own the direction, let's talk about what you need.
No pitch. No pressure. Just a conversation about whether fractional marketing support is the right fit for your business.