Being a digital marketer is a very in-demand career path. Companies are always on the lookout for experienced marketers that can come up with innovative ideas to promote their products and services. With so many companies going digital, it’s a great opportunity to get trained and certifiable in a specialized field that you can then take advantage of.
What is the value of having a certification as a digital marketer? An official certificate from an accredited organization such as the Internet Marketing Specialties Board (IMSB®) can help you land a higher paying job or boost your career in a meaningful way. After all, employers often prefer to hire individuals with a proven record of delivering value and growth to the companies they work for. Having a digital marketing certification also opens doors to a world of free online content that you can use to gain valuable knowledge and grow your skillset.
When it comes to pursuing a career in digital marketing, there’s a wealth of information you can access for free online. However, with so much content available, searching for that perfect guide to becoming a digital marketer can be quite the challenge. That’s where we come in. In this article, we will introduce you to the world of free online content that can help you become certified as a digital marketer. We’ll cover everything from learning the essential skills to finding the right resources to help you build a solid foundation in the field.
The Value of an IMSB® Certificate
If you’re looking to enter the world of digital marketing as a career, you have many options. There are so many different specialties within the field that you can become certified in. One of the most popular options is the IMSB® Digital Marketing Specialty. As the name suggests, this specialty is meant to prepare you for a career in digital marketing. Earning an IMSB® certificate can also help you to stand out in the crowd and show employers that you’re dedicated and determined to become a successful marketer.
What makes this certificate so valuable is that it is not just about passing a test. As a matter of fact, you won’t find a single piece of paper proving you’re a certified marketer. An IMSB® certificate offers you a unique opportunity to learn and grow as a professional in a fast-changing field. Being a certified SEO helps you stand out in the crowd because employers know you have the skills to back up your claims. Your peers will also be able to see that you’ve gained the knowledge necessary to become a successful SEO.
Learn The Basics
When you enter the world of online marketing, you’ll find yourself in a place full of information and knowledge. However, before you can begin to climb the ladder of success, you’ll need to learn the foundations to become a confident and skillful marketer. In order to do that, you’ll need to start by taking advantage of the wealth of knowledge available online. When it comes to learning the basics, there are many places you can go to. Some of the most popular ones include:
- YouTube
- HubSpot Blog
- Wistia Blogs
- Instagram Stories
- Quora
- StackOverflow
- DigitalMarketingSpecialties.com
Build A Solid Foundation
Once you’ve got the basics out of the way, you can begin to build your foundation. To do that, you’ll need to prove yourself by getting involved in your local community. When you do that, you’ll not only gain valuable knowledge but also meet people with whom you can build a professional network.
There are many ways to get involved in your local community. You can start by getting involved with a non-profit organization that is promoting a cause close to your heart. Additionally, you can volunteer your time to help out at an animal shelter or help feed the homeless in your area. All of these involvements will help you build a strong foundation that will get you to the next level.
Find Your Niche
Once you’ve built a strong foundation, it’s time to find your niche. That is, the area of digital marketing in which you’ll specialize. Once you’ve found it, it’s important to stick with it because it will make you more marketable to potential employers. In order to do that, you’ll need to begin by building a profile online and getting active on social media. When doing that, it’s important to create content that is tied to your niche. For example, if you’re a nutritionist, you may write articles about nutrition for websites or social media accounts. Your content will then be able to pull in potential clients from all over the world. The more you put out there, the more you’ll get back.
Choosing your own niche can be tricky, especially if you’re not sure what will make you special. That’s why it’s important to find a mentor in a professional capacity who can help you figure out your place in the industry. Additionally, it’s a great idea to join a professional organization that focuses on your niche. Doing that can help you find a mentor and get involved in the community.
Get Active On Social Media
One of the keys to making your digital marketing certificate valuable is by getting active on social media. When you do that, you’ll not only be able to demonstrate your knowledge but also get the chance to develop valuable connections with potential employers.
Now, you don’t have to be on social media to get involved. You can join networks and communities that are designed for marketers such as SEM, SEO, and Content Marketers to name but a few.
Take Advantage Of Free Online Resources
One of the things that make the field of digital marketing such an exciting one is that there’s so much free online content available. When you are a marketer, that’s all you’ll ever need to learn. However, with so much information available online, searching for the perfect guide to becoming a digital marketer can be quite the challenge. To make that process easier, there are many places you can go to. Some of the most popular ones include:
- DigitalMarketingSpecialties.com
- LinkedIn Learning
- Khan Academy
- HubSpot Blog
- SEMrush Blog
- Wistia Blogs
- YouTube
- Craigslist
- FreeGeekCertification
- Forbes Jobs
Build A Reputation
Getting active online is one thing. Proving you’re worth trust is another. To do that, you’ll need to get involved in your local community and begin to build a reputation. When you do that, you’ll not only gain valuable knowledge but also meet people who can help you along the way. For example, if you’re a writer, you may consider getting involved with a literary magazine or newspaper. Doing that can help you grow your network and prove to potential employers that you’re dedicated and determined to become a successful marketer.
Start A Blog
Having a blog that draws in the right audience is one of the best ways to prove yourself as a reputable source of information. That’s because, when a company or individual comes across your blog, they’ll most likely be looking for information on your specific topic. As a result, you’ll then be able to pitch your blog as a source of valuable information.
Blogs aren’t just for showing off new content. They can also be a great way to establish your authority in a specific niche. To do that, you’ll need to make sure that the blog posts are tied to your niche. For example, if you’re a nutritionist, you may choose to write about the best protein shakes for athletes. If your blog is about web design, you may choose to write about creating a profitable blog at a certain income level.
Join LinkedIn Learning
One of the best places to get trained and certified as a digital marketer is via LinkedIn Learning. That’s because, not only does it offer a wealth of knowledge and information but it also allows you to connect with many professionals in the industry. Additionally, you can take advantage of their courses when you’re ready to climb the ladder.
What sets LinkedIn Learning apart from other similar platforms is the diversity of the courses. That’s because, not only does it offer certification routes, it also offers courses on a wide range of topics, including digital marketing. Therefore, you’re bound to find a course that suits your needs.