If you’re looking to learn social media marketing, you have several options when it comes to courses to choose from. You can learn the ropes from the ground up with our free intro course, or dive into a comprehensive certification program and gain in-demand digital marketing knowledge.
Here, we’ll run down the top five free online courses that you can sign up for to gain in-demand digital marketing knowledge and become a better marketer.
LinkedIn Learning: Marketing on LinkedIn
LinkedIn Learning’s Marketing on LinkedIn online course puts the power of mass distribution and professional networks into your hands. You will learn to master the art of marketing through in-demand digital marketing courses and gain real-world experience by interacting with leading experts in the industry. LinkedIn’s courseware is engaging and easy to digest with quizzes and projects that will help you apply what you’re learning in a practical way.
The course delves into everything from marketing analytics and measurement to marketing strategy and execution. By the end of the program, you’ll be able to plan, implement, and analyze successful marketing campaigns using digital marketing platforms like HubSpot and MailChimp. (Learn more from LinkedIn)
Google Education: Digital Marketing Pro Certification
If you’re looking for a comprehensive certification program, check out Google’s Digital Marketing Pro Certification. Launched in 2018, this certification from Google aims to provide a single source of information on digital marketing for marketers and businesses across all industries.
The certification’s requirements are extensive and cover a wide range of strategic and technical skills. Candidates must have a good understanding of marketing analytics and measurement, possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and be able to interpret analytical results.
The Digital Marketing Pro Certification from Google is a great option for experienced marketers who want to stay abreast of the latest trends and best practices in the industry. It also provides you with a solid foundation to further specialize in digital marketing and become an expert in your industry.
HubSpot: Inbound Marketing & Sales
If you’re looking for a CRM system (customer relationship management system) that can integrate social media marketing and inbound marketing, take a look at HubSpot. Launched in 2010 and acquired by Microsoft in 2018 for $26 billion, HubSpot is a bit more expensive than the other classes covered on this list. However, it offers an all-in-one platform that can handle your marketing, sales, and customer communication roles. It also integrates with numerous other systems, including Gmail, Slack, and Skype.
The Inbound Marketing & Sales course from HubSpot walks you through the key steps to take in order to optimize your inbound marketing and sales processes. You will learn how to turn customer pain into product gain and marketing efficiency. From establishing goals and targets to analyzing metrics and tracking progress, this certification program will give you the tools you need to succeed as a marketer.
Oracle Digital Marketing Specialization
Oracle’s Digital Marketing Specialization is another option for experienced marketers who want to further specialize in digital marketing. Similar to the HubSpot option above, this certification provides you with a basic marketing knowledge base followed by on-the-job training in a digital marketing agency or in-house marketing department. With this option, you get a chance to truly specialize in this emerging field while gaining real-world experience.
The Specialization in Digital Marketing from Oracle is a great option for experienced marketers who want to stay on the cutting edge of marketing knowledge. It also provides you with the opportunity to further specialize in digital marketing and gain in-demand knowledge.
Which one you choose really depends on what’s important to you. If you want a general overview of digital marketing with some basic training in HTML and CSS, go with the LinkedIn Learning: Marketing on LinkedIn option. If you’d like to dive into digital marketing and have the opportunity to further specialize, consider the Digital Marketing Pro Certification from Google or Oracle’s Digital Marketing Specialization.