The Independent Marketing Operator Membership
For freelancers, consultants & fractional leaders in cybersecurity marketing.
Historically, the Cybersecurity Marketing Society membership has been limited to in-house, full-time marketers at cybersecurity products and services companies.
In 2026, we are launching a limited-access (100 only), one-year beta test of the Cybersecurity Marketing Society Independent Marketing Operator Membership.
The Cybersecurity Marketing Society Independent Marketing Operator Membership is a paid membership for independent cybersecurity marketing professionals who operate as freelancers, consultants, or fractional leaders (such as fractional CMO or fractional PMM).
Independent Marketing Operator Members gain access to the Members-only Society Slack community, internal Members-only calls, and receive a complimentary replay pass of the most recent CyberMarketingCon.
Who is this membership for?
Perfect For
Independent marketers in cybersecurity (freelancers, consultants, fractional leaders).
Practitioners delivering hands-onwork across marketing disciplines.
Professionals who participate in community discussion and collaboration.
Not For
Company reps, agencies, or non-cyber-focused freelancers.
Folks without proven cybersecurity marketing experience.
Using membership primarily for prospecting or lead gen.
Please Nore: Eligibility is reviewed during the application process.
Ready to join?
Apply first—the membership committee reviews each application.
Questions? Contact us.
What you get with an Independent Marketing Operator Membership
Slack
Community
Full access to the Society Slack community.
Member
Programming
Member-only programming and peer discussion.
CyberMarketingCon
Replay
Complimentary replay pass for the most recent past Con.
How the Process Works
Apply first. The Society membership committee reviews each application. If approved, you receivea private link to sign the membership agreement, then complete checkout in Stripe.
Fill the Application Form
The Society has formed a Membership Committee. The Committee manually reviewseach application. If you are approved you will receive an email.
After you are approved, you will be invited to sign our Independent Marketing OperatorAgreement.
After signing the Agreement and agreeing to all terms, you will be emailed the paymentform.
You will be let into the community within 72 hours after payment is received.
Cost of
Membership
$1,800
per year, billed annually
Please note: this will be the first year we are offering this membership option, and we are limiting the membership to a 1-year period.
Expectations of Independent Marketing Operator Members
The goal of the Cybersecurity Marketing Society is to foster an environment where authentic, non-transactional connections and networking occur.
Marketers power the cybersecurity industry, and the Cybersecurity Marketing Society is a sales-free zone where:
- Freelancer members follow a dedicated set of community rules designed to prevent spam and sales-driven behavior.
- The Society actively moderates the community to enforce these standards.
Society Independent Marketing OperatorMembership Code of Conduct
Freelancer Participation Rules
The Society is not a place to build or promote your services. As we welcome cyber-focused freelancers and fractional marketers, protecting the Society as a sales-free, trust-based community is non-negotiable.
CybersecurityFocus Required
Independent Marketing Operator members must have:
- Proven, repeated cybersecurity marketing experience, or
- Multiple active cybersecurity product or services clients
The Society is not intended for learning cybersecurity in order to sell into the community.
Member Recommendation Required
Freelancer applicants must name at least one existing Society member in good standing who can vouch for their participation and community fit.
Required Freelancer Identification
All freelancers must display the designated IMO emoji at the start of their Slack display name at all times.
- The emoji is issued by the Society
- It must remain visible while you are a freelancer member
- Removing or altering it is a rules violation
If your employment status changes, notify the Society so your designation can be updated.
Recommendation-Only Visibility
Freelancers may only be surfaced if another member independently recommends them.
If recommended, freelancers may briefly acknowledge and move to DMs only if the requester initiates. Freelancers may not respond to "looking for a freelancer" posts on heir own behalf or signal interest or availability.
Keep Help Public · DMs Are Not a Loophole · Profiles Are Not Ads
If help can't be shared openly in Slack and without expectation of follow-up, it likely doesn't belong here.
Sales-related DMs require explicit opt-in.Slack profiles, bios, and status messages may not function as marketing.
You're here as a peer, not a vendor.
No Selling. Period.
The Society is not a lead source, CRM, or prospecting channel. Freelancers may not:
- Promote services, availability, or rates
- Position themselves as the solution to a member’s problem
- Offer audits, “quick calls,” or help that leads to a pitch
- Share service packages, client outcomes, or case studies
- Use soft CTAs like “happy to help” or “reach out if you want to go deeper”
Subtle selling is still selling.
No Using Society Info to Sell Elsewhere
What you learn in the Society stays in the Society. You may not use community conversations to:
- Prospect via LinkedIn, email, or other channels
- Reference Slack discussions in outreach
- Target members based on shared challenges, tools, or budgets
Not selling inside the Society but selling because of the Society is still a violation.
Enforcement
Violations may result in immediate removal without warning. Removal does not include a refund of membership fees. Protecting the community experience outweighs individual membership.
Apply for Freelancer Membership
Submit your application below.
We'll review it and get back to you.
Questions? Contact us.