Looking to start a career in social media marketing? It’s a wise move.
According to LinkedIn, there are currently more than 165,000 vacancies for digital marketing specialists alone. With more than 5.17 billion social media users around the globe, the demand for social media marketing skills is at an all-time high.
All of this means that if you want to compete in the digital marketing arena, you must be able to keep up – which is what a social media marketing course can help you do.
You’ll get a solid social media foundation, enhance your skill set, and have the credibility you need to position yourself as a serious candidate.
All you need to do is decide on the right course, and you’ll be golden.
16 Social Media Marketing Courses To Look Out For
Free Social Media Marketing Courses
With so many free courses to choose from, there’s no need to break the budget.
Foundational knowledge on digital advertising is freely available – just choose the course that best suits you and build your basic skills from there.
Course | Cost | Run By | Summary |
Graphic Design Basics | Free | Canva | Design basics to help elevate your social media marketing. |
Internet Marketing for Smart People | Free | Copyblogger | Learn how to craft compelling online content. |
Meta Blueprint Marketing Courses for Businesses | Free | Meta | Basic social media marketing courses for small businesses. |
How to Make Your Instagram Content Stand Out | Free | Meta | Learn how to develop a successful content strategy for Instagram. |
Mastering TikTok: Stop Scrolling & Post Your 1st TikTok | Free | Skillshare | Harness the power of TikTok to add value to your brand. |
Paid Social Media Marketing Courses
If you can invest in a paid social media course, extending your education through more in-depth knowledge could be worthwhile.
Choose from various courses on social media platforms, content curation, business growth, and more – and take your social media marketing training to the next level.
Course | Cost | Run By | Summary |
Retention and Engagement | $1,995/year membership | Reforge | Understand how to retain, activate, and engage users. |
Social Media Marketing Crash Course | €995 | Growth Tribe | A crash course in social media marketing, strategy, and management. |
Social Media Marketing Masterclass | $129.99 once-off or $16.58 monthly | Udemy | Learn how to develop a thorough social media marketing plan for your business. |
Social Media Marketing Certification | $859 | OMI | Learn how to use the power of social media to impact business growth. |
Social Media Marketing Certifications
If you want to learn social media marketing and add to your existing qualifications, a social media certification is the best way to do it.
Not only will you be upping your social media game, but by taking a social marketing certification exam, you’ll also be putting yourself in the top tier of marketing professionals.
Course | Cost | Run By | Summary |
Social Media Marketing Certification | Free | HubSpot Academy | Learn how to build a successful social media strategy. |
Social Media Marketing Specialization | Free | Northwestern University via Coursera | Tools and training in social analytics, marketing, and lead generation. |
Meta Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate | Free | Meta/Facebook via Coursera | Learn how to optimize marketing campaigns across major social media platforms. |
Digital Communication Certificate | €995 | Growth Tribe | Learn how to craft social media content and boost engagement. |
Social Media Marketing Tips | $20 (approx.) | LinkedIn Learning | Market your business on social media with simple tips and tools. |
Marketing: Copywriting for Social Media | $20 (approx.) | LinkedIn Learning | Learn how to write effective social media copy. |
Social Media Marketing Certification Course | $199 | Hootsuite | Develop the social marketing skills needed to grow your business. |
With so many courses to look at and decisions to make, where do you even start?
We’ll help you by looking at some of our favorites from this list.
Free Social Media Marketing Courses
1. Meta Blueprint Marketing Courses For Businesses
Basic social media marketing courses for small businesses.
Run by: Meta
If you own a small business, you might be looking for a Facebook blueprint to help launch you onto social media.
Now, Meta will do you one better – by giving you the blueprint of all its social media platforms.
With various digital marketing courses designed to help you bring your business online, Meta will teach you how to identify potential customers, understand your target audience, set goals, and tell your business story.
By working through actual examples, you’ll learn how to apply the lessons to your own business for social media success.
2. Mastering TikTok
Harness the power of TikTok to add value to your brand.
Run by: Skillshare
While you’re concentrating on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube marketing, don’t forget about TikTok.
It’s not all dance moves, transitions, challenges, and trends; it’s a participatory social media platform with massive potential for your brand.
In this free course, you’ll learn exactly how the TikTok algorithm works, how to create and edit your own videos, and how to (hopefully) go viral too.
So, whether you’re making videos for fun or looking to build brand awareness, you’ll know what you’re doing every step of the way.
Paid Social Media Marketing Courses
1. Social Media Marketing Crash Course
A crash course in social media marketing, strategy, and management.
Cost: €995
Run by: Growth Tribe
If you’ve got two days, then Growth Tribe has the ultimate digital marketing course – a crash course on social media that’s ideal for everyone from beginners to freelancers to business owners.
Sit down with leading marketing professionals and learn the essentials of internet marketing, content strategy, community building, influencer marketing, and more.
It’s everything you need to develop a sound social media strategy and measure it, all delivered in one compact course.
2. Brand Strategy And Storytelling
Understand customer behavior, storytelling, role-modeling and overall brand management.
Cost: $1,390
Run by: Hyper Island
Do you know how to use Internet marketing to identify and engage your target audience? This social media course from Hyper Island will show you how.
Learn how to attract your online audience, convert them into leads, and achieve your goals – all with the right digital marketing tools.
You’ll be taken through social media marketing strategy, content strategy, analysis, and more – all designed to help you understand your customer better and reach your targets.
3. Retention And Engagement
Understanding how to retain, activate, and engage users.
Cost: $1,995/year site membership
Run by: Reforge
It’s one thing to acquire new users; it’s another to convert, engage, and retain them. That’s what this in-depth course from Reforget will teach you.
From analyzing retention to activation and engagement strategies, you’ll learn the frameworks you need to improve your retention rates and boost your profitability.
Social Media Courses With Certification
1. Social Media Marketing Tips
Market your business on social media with simple tips and tools.
Cost: $20 (approx.)
Run by: LinkedIn Learning
Whether you’re interested in promoting your business on one social media platform or across multiple platforms, you’ll need certain tools at your disposal.
This affordable, certified course from Linkedin Learning will give you all the tips you need – from creating content and engaging with influencer marketing to using Google Analytics, boosting your social media marketing campaigns, and more.
Then when you’re done, you can showcase your certificate on your LinkedIn profile for extra kudos.
2. Social Media Marketing Certification Course
Develop the social marketing skills needed to grow your business.
Cost: $199
Run by: Hootsuite
If it’s industry recognition you’re after, this certification course from Hootsuite will give you just that.
Learn the building blocks of social media strategy, content marketing, community building, and how to measure your success. Plus, earn an online certificate as proof of your new-found expertise.
3. Digital Communication Certificate
Learn how to craft social media content and boost engagement.
Cost: €995
Run by: Growth Tribe
Whether you’re a digital marketing consultant, commerce manager, or part of a social media team, you’ll benefit from learning how to boost your engagement across multiple platforms.
Learn how to create an effective communication strategy, optimize your content, and build a brand identity. You’ll also earn a certificate in Digital Communication at the same time.
Is A Social Media Marketing Certificate Worth It?
We’ve started you off with our social media certification picks. However, there are many other excellent digital marketing certifications out there to choose from.
Should you bother with them, though, particularly if there’s a cost involved? The honest truth is yes.
Social media marketing is about more than firing off a quippy Facebook caption. It’s about building brands, driving traffic, increasing sales, and creating a sharply curated dialogue between brand and consumer.
Good marketers make it look easy – which is why beginners are often misled into thinking they’re just one viral dance challenge away from breaking the internet.
But there’s a little more to it than that, and that’s where social media marketing certification can help give you the edge.
Not only will you get the relevant training you need within a constantly evolving industry, but you’ll also have an accredited certification – all of which can help increase your skill level and performance and boost your job prospects.
So, if you want to move to social media marketing, start your journey by upskilling yourself first.
For a position that’s grown 30% faster than other marketing roles, it’s the smartest way to put your best foot forward.
More Resources:
- 5 PPC Certification Course Options For Digital Marketers
- 7 Best SEO Certifications: Are They Worth It?
- SEO For Beginners: An Introduction To SEO Basics
Featured Image: Ground Picture/Shutterstock
FAQ
What are the benefits of enrolling in a free social media marketing course?
Enrolling in a free social media marketing course presents several advantages, particularly if you’re new to digital marketing or operating with a limited budget. Benefits include:
- Gaining essential knowledge without financial investment.
- Leveraging courses offered by reputable companies such as Meta and Canva or platforms like Skillshare.
- Building a foundational understanding of marketing on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and others.
- Acquiring skills in content creation, strategy development, and building brand awareness.
These courses are an excellent starting point to understand the various facets of social media marketing, helping pave the way for more advanced learning opportunities.
What should I look for when choosing a paid social media marketing course?
When selecting a paid social media marketing course, it’s crucial to look for several key factors to ensure the investment translates into valuable learning experiences. Consider these criteria:
- In-depth coverage: The course should offer comprehensive knowledge on topics such as user acquisition, retention, and engagement.
- Relevance: The curriculum should be current, covering the latest trends and strategies in social media marketing.
- Application-oriented learning: Case studies and practical examples that allow you to apply concepts to real-world scenarios.
- Credibility: Taught by established industry experts or institutions with a track record of success in the field.
- Certification: A certification at the course’s end enhances your resume and validates your expertise to potential employers.
Given the varied price points and formats, it’s essential to research and choose a program that aligns with your professional goals and budget constraints.
How does becoming certified in social media marketing impact my position in the industry?
Becoming certified in social media marketing can greatly impact your standing in the industry by:
- Signaling to employers and clients your commitment to ongoing professional development.
- Setting you apart from competitors by demonstrating a validated level of expertise.
- Reflecting current knowledge trends and best practices within an industry that is continually evolving.
- Increasing confidence in your strategic approach to social media campaigns and content management.
- Enhancing potential for career advancement and the possibility of securing higher-paying positions.
As social media marketing roles continue to grow at a significant rate, certifications provide a tangible credential that can help catalyze your career growth and open up new opportunities.