If you’re looking to educate yourself about online marketing, where should you start? Is it best to attend a university and get a degree in marketing, or can you learn the subject on your own via an online course?

Depending on your answer to the preceding questions, you might be surprised to learn that your best option for online marketing education is likely to be the second one. Not only can you learn the subject via an accredited program, but you can also do so at no cost!

To be clear, we’re not advising you to ditch university. What we’re advising is that it’s possible to get an excellent education without having to commit to a four-year program. Maybe you’re looking for a short-term course or even a one-off seminar, in which case an online marketing course might be the ticket.

Why Online Marketing?

With more and more people discovering the benefits of digital nomadship, the demand for online marketers is predicted to grow by 25% year from 2020 to 2025.

Many large companies, such as Google, Apple, and Facebook, offer in-house training programs for their employees. The courses are usually very in-demand and can also be quite lucrative. A Facebook ad manager can make up to £150k per year, and people in similar positions at Google can make up to £200k per year.

If you’re looking to kickstart your career in digital marketing, it might be smart to consider whether an online course is right for you. You don’t necessarily need a degree to become an online marketer, however, you will need to have a proven academic background in marketing or communications.

An Online Marketing Degree

An online marketing degree will equip you with the theory and practical skills you need to succeed in the field. From designing effective marketing campaigns to analyzing web traffic to discovering the underlying psychographics of your ideal customer, you’ll gain the knowledge and skillset required to become a successful digital marketer.

Since most online courses are effectively self-paced, you can decide when you’d like to complete them. This means you can work on your own schedule, which can be quite flexible, especially if you have a desk job. Of course, you’ll need to put in the hours, but the ability to work remotely is one of the major perks of an online degree.

If you want to succeed in the field and feel you’re ready for the rigors of an academic environment, an online marketing degree is the best option. You can significantly reduce the amount of debt you’d incur if you were to get a traditional degree.

What Will You Learn On An Online Marketing Course?

An online marketing course will teach you the theory and practical skills you need to be successful in the field. While a traditional marketing degree might teach you the fundamentals of marketing, an online marketing degree will take your knowledge and understanding of marketing to the next level.

Key topics you will learn include:

• Digital marketing ethics
• Marketing analytics
• Content strategy
• Marketing research and measurement
• Design of digital marketing campaigns

Depending on your specialization, you might learn how to design websites, build apps, or write SEO content. With an increasing number of jobs in tech, software, and search marketing, it would be wise to learn the basics of SEO first.

How Will An Online Marketing Degree Improve Your Chances Of Getting A Job?

An online marketing degree will give you a leg up in the job market. Not only will you be able to list your degree on your resume, but you’ll also find it extremely useful in your job search.

When applying for a job, your degree might be the most notable piece of your application. Once the hiring manager or human resources officer reviews your resume, they’ll immediately recognize you’re the person who has the appropriate academic background for the position. In most cases, hiring managers will not have the time to go through a huge pile of applications; they will only focus on the ones that interest them.

An Online Marketing Seminar

An online marketing seminar, also known as an e-seminar, is an excellent way to gain knowledge in the field without having to attend class. Using a combination of live lectures, recorded sessions, and handouts, you’ll be able to study the subject and gain as much experience as possible.

An online marketing seminar can significantly reduce the amount of learning you’d need to do if you were to get a job in the field. Instead of spending 4-5 hours per day in class, you’ll only need to spend 2-3 hours per day, which might be all you need to get by. The rest of the time, you can study, work, or do whatever else you need to do.

Live lectures and recorded sessions are usually delivered once or twice per week, sometimes more often. During these sessions, you’ll learn the theory and gain knowledge on how to apply it in practice. Practical demonstrations and case studies will also supplement the lectures and help you understand and apply the concepts you learn. For example, let’s say you’re taking an e-seminar on performance marketing and you have a question about measurement. Instead of having to ask a professor or attend a class, you can look it up and find the answer in a few minutes.

One of the perks of an online marketing seminar is the ability to work at your own pace. If you’re not comfortable attending live lectures, you can always catch up on the videos later.

The Perks Of An Online Marketing Degree

To begin with, there are a few perks that come with an online marketing degree. If you decide to pursue this route, you’ll learn a lot, and here’s why:

• You can work remotely
• You can study at night and on the weekends
• You can take the courses that interest you
• You can gain valuable skills that can be used in your job search
• It’s much easier to study abroad
• It’s possible to combine earning a degree with working
• You’ll have less debt
• It’s possible to get a job without a formal education
• It’s possible to become a digital nomad, or pursue distance learning
• It’s possible to get a second degree, or further qualification
• Most importantly, you’re free!

An online marketing degree can open up a huge amount of opportunities for you. While it’s certainly not for everyone, it’s an ideal route for those who want to enter the field and are looking for a way to do so successfully. You’ll be able to gain a good understanding of online marketing and its various sub-specialties from a reputable source. More importantly, you’ll be able to do so at no cost! If you’re looking for a career in digital marketing, it might be worth considering an online degree.