If you’re looking to enter the online world of marketing and digital marketing, then there are a number of accredited online courses you can take to gain the knowledge you need to become a digital marketer. One of the best in 2017 is Digital Marketing & Branding from the Nova Southeastern University.

Whether you’re looking to gain a qualification, pursue a career change, or want to brush up on your digital marketing knowledge, these courses will help you get there.

Why should you study digital marketing & branding?

The evolution of marketing and communications today means that traditional print materials like newspapers and magazines are being pushed aside by new platforms like social media and online communities. This affects the way we engage with customers, and how businesses go about acquiring new customers.

Traditional marketing and advertising methods like marketing campaigns and advertising agencies will still exist, but they’ll work in tandem with inbound marketing and content marketing. This approach to marketing and advertising means that businesses can no longer rely on mass media to draw in customers. They need to develop a strategy and use different platforms to attract and engage with customers.

That’s where traditional marketing and advertising graduate roles come in – to devise and implement marketing and advertising campaigns using traditional methods like outdoor and paid ads in conjunction with online and social media marketing.

However, to succeed in this field, you will need to have knowledge of, and an understanding of, digital marketing and modern branding (i.e. how consumers perceive a brand and its associated products).

What topics will you learn on the Nova Southeastern University course?

The course covers all the essential knowledge you need to enter the field, including digital marketing and branding foundations, marketing analytics, social media marketing, and e-commerce. But what makes this course unique is that it uses a blend of online learning and offline learning – which means you’ll not only learn the theory but also get the opportunity to practice while following the course.

The coursework itself is rigorous, with around 30 hours of learning a week – but that’s all part of the fun, right? You’ll gain knowledge and confidence that will enable you to successfully complete the mandatory audits for the Certified Digital Marketing & Branding (CDM&B) qualification.

How will you apply what you’ve learned?

Theory is one thing, but applying that theory is another – and that’s where real-life experience comes in. As part of the CDM&B course, you’ll carry out a range of assignments, some of which will be purely online (e.g. marketing analytics, social media marketing, and e-commerce), while others will require you to get out and about (e.g. creating and executing a digital marketing and advertising campaign, or conducting market research).

Throughout the year, you’ll have the opportunity to gain additional experience by taking part in case studies, moderated discussions, and live chats with industry experts. And did we mention the range of certificates and qualifications you could gain from this course? There are lots of options, including the Certified Digital Marketing & Branding (CDM&B) certificate, and the Certified Digital Marketing and Social Media Administrator (CDMSM) certificate.

Which industries are popular with applicants for this course?

The majority of the students who attend the CDM&B course are from business and commerce-related industries like marketing and advertising, brand strategy, public relations, and communications. Those with a background in science and technology are also over-represented in this group.

However, the course is well-suited to individuals from all industries, and even those in non-traditional marketing roles like sales and e-commerce – as long as they have a sound understanding of digital marketing and branding.

The learning experience on this course is delivered differently to suit your timetable.

You can take the course in any order you choose. The learning is based on the principle of active participation with the emphasis on practical applications. That means you won’t just be listening to lectures but will get the chance to practice and extend your knowledge.

Depending on how committed you are to your studies, you could earn a qualification in as little as 12 months. However, to gain job satisfaction and offer individuals the best possible chance of success, you should aim to complete the course in 24 months.

Top Tips From Expertise.com

If you’re wondering what it takes to succeed as a digital marketer or branding professional, then you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’ll share some of the helpful advice we’ve found from examining the course material and completing the CDM&B qualification exam with flying colors (so to speak).

Tip number one – take a hybrid course.

You’ll learn a lot more in a hybrid course than you would in a traditional one. Why? Because with a hybrid course, you’re not just sitting in a classroom listening to lecture recordings. You’re getting the chance to practice while doing the homework. And what’s more, you’ll be doing that practice in a real-world setting – whether that’s getting paid or volunteering to complete a social media audit for an affected business.

Tip number two – specialize in one area.

It’s highly recommended that you focus on one area of specialization rather than taking a general marketing course and then applying what you’ve learned in a marketing role. Why? Because once you’ve established yourself in one area like SEO or content marketing, you will find it much easier to move into another area – be that social media marketing, email marketing, or performance marketing. Having knowledge of, and specialization in, several areas means you can offer your clients a wider range of services, and be a go-to person for those outside your own specialization area.

Get Connected

If you’ve decided that this is the course for you, then please do make sure you’re doing your research into the best possible options for you. One of the best places to start is with the Nova Southeastern University website – click here to visit it. From there, you can get connected to the CDM&B student organization and dive in to all the information you need to join the course. Once you’ve made the decision to pursue this route, application deadlines are quickly approaching – so don’t delay.