Are Social Media Marketing Classes Worth It?

Businesses are investing more in social media marketing than ever since it has become vital to modern marketing strategies. With the popularity of social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter, companies are eager to connect with their target customers on these networks. If you are in the social media marketing world, know there are many factors to consider when considering whether or not to take a social media marketing class. Ultimately, it comes down to your background, how skilled you’d like to become, and how far you would like to advance in your career. 

Social media marketing classes can be a valuable investment for those who want to understand the field comprehensively and develop practical skills. However, weighing the costs and time commitment against your learning goals is important. This article will help you consider the factors determining whether a social media marketing class is worth it.

Advantages of a Social Media Marketing Class

Taking a social media marketing class can provide a well-rounded learning experience that equips you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in this dynamic field.

General Benefits

Learners have convenient class options that fit their lifestyles. In-person, online, and asynchronous learning offer different ways to deliver social media marketing and how students interact with the material. Live training courses provide real instructors who can walk students through challenges step-by-step and tailor their education and feedback to each student's needs. Enrolling in a class frequently aids students in understanding the subject matter and remaining focused during their training.

Structured Learning 

Social media marketing with various platforms, tools, and strategies can initially seem complex. A class provides a structured learning path, guiding you through the key concepts in a logical order. This roadmap keeps you focused and prevents you from getting overwhelmed by the vast online information. Unlike self-directed learning, a class provides a clear path to follow. You'll learn the fundamental concepts of social media marketing, such as foundational strategies, content creation for different platforms, understanding your target audience, and analytics, to name a few. 

Develop Practical Skills 

Many courses go beyond theory and offer hands-on exercises and projects. Hands-on learning allows you to experiment with social media tools and techniques in a safe environment, gaining practical skills you can apply immediately. This helpful application helps solidify your understanding and build confidence in using the skills in real-world situations. Expert instructors break down complex concepts into clear, understandable terms. They also share practical tips and tricks based on their own experiences.

Stay Updated 

The social media landscape constantly evolves with new platforms, features, and algorithms. When created, social media marketing courses consider the latest trends and best practices. Instructors actively incorporate new developments in the field, ensuring you're learning the most relevant information. Course content is constantly updated to reflect these changes. Classes can help you stay current on the latest trends and best practices, ensuring your marketing strategies remain effective.

Gain Credibility 

Completing a social media marketing class, especially from a reputable program, can enhance your resume. Upon completion, students will likely gain a certification demonstrating their expertise and commitment to the field to potential employers. Many elements work together to establish credibility. A well-designed course from a credible source combined with your active participation will maximize the credibility you gain from the learning experience.

Networking

Some courses provide platforms to connect with other marketing professionals. This can be invaluable for your career development, allowing you to exchange ideas, learn from others' experiences, and build your network. Additionally, working with a group on assignments or projects will enable you to learn from each other, build relationships, and develop communication skills. Engaging with your instructor during office hours is a great opportunity to discuss course material in more depth, get personalized feedback, and make a positive impression. They can be a valuable resource for career advice and potential connections within their network.

Considerations When Looking at Social Media Marketing Classes

Below are some key considerations for choosing the right social media marketing class.

Course Costs and ROI

Social media marketing classes can range in price from free online courses to expensive certification programs. How much the course will cost is important, regardless of whether your employer or you are covering the tuition fee. In many cases, the skills developed and knowledge gained in these courses are beneficial. Therefore, covering the course's cost may be in your best interest. Education is an investment that has long-term benefits. While not immediate, the benefits and ROI of a social media marketing course make the costs (financial and time) completely worth it.

Time Commitment 

The length of the course and the amount of time needed are other factors to take into account. Consider not only the course duration but also the amount of homework and weekly commitments. Examine the due dates for assignments and projects and your weekly workload to ensure they are realistic, given your existing schedule. It's possible that you'll require a flexible course that lets you work at your own pace. However, if you function better in an organized environment, you might want to consider enrolling in classes with more deadlines.

Content and Skill Level

Evaluate the course curriculum to ensure it aligns with your learning objectives and covers the platforms and tools you want. Specific courses focus more on developing social media advertisements, creating media and video content, building brands, managing social communities, creating a social media marketing plan, and content marketing specifically for social media posts. On the other hand, certain courses are more concentrated on specific social media networks, such as Facebook or LinkedIn, so you should decide which of these networks is more important for your company's and your own professional development. Knowing who your audience is in this situation is crucial so that you may concentrate more of your efforts on the social media platforms that your target audience uses.

The Course Format

Social media marketing courses can be delivered in a variety of formats, depending on the provider and the course. Live online courses are offered in real-time. Live online coursework allows students to connect with an instructor in real time who’s available to answer questions, provide support, and help with complex programming concepts. In-person classes are held in a classroom or training center where students can physically attend classes and participate in group discussions or hands-on exercises. Lastly, asynchronous learning can be completed at your speed and time. It comprises pre-recorded videos, YouTube videos, blogs, and other resources. These materials can be watched or read at any time of the day from any location.

Instructor Expertise

A well-respected instructor in the social media marketing world can enhance the credibility of the course. They might also have connections within the industry, potentially leading to guest speaker opportunities or even internship or job prospects after completing the course. An experienced instructor will understand constant changes in algorithms, platforms, and best practices and ensure the course curriculum reflects the latest trends. An instructor's real-world experience can also provide practical insights and case studies that can't be found in textbooks. 

Is it Worth Enrolling in a Social Media Marketing Class?

Who will find it worthwhile?

A social media marketing course can be worthwhile for various people, depending on their goals and current skill level. Anyone who wants to leverage social media for personal or professional goals can benefit from one. For example, A course can help existing marketers stay updated on the latest trends, platforms, and strategies. It can also be valuable for professionals specializing in social media marketing. For content creators and influencers, learning social media marketing can help creators build a solid online presence, grow their audience, and potentially monetize their content. The key is to choose a course that aligns with your specific needs and learning style. 

Who might find it worthwhile? 

People with little to no experience who are looking to transition into a social media marketing role can benefit from a structured social media marketing class to build a solid foundation in the field. Recent graduates and career changers interested in entering the social media marketing field can also benefit from a course that can provide the foundational knowledge and skills to kickstart their careers. For individuals looking to grow their personal brand, understanding social media marketing principles can be beneficial in building a strong online reputation and connecting with a broader audience.

A social media marketing course can be a worthwhile investment for anyone who wants to learn the skills necessary to succeed in this dynamic field, whether you're a complete beginner, a seasoned professional, or someone looking to leverage social media for personal or business goals.

Who probably doesn’t need a social media marketing class?

If you have extensive experience managing social media campaigns for large companies or agencies and are demonstrably successful in the field, a basic social media marketing class likely would offer limited new information. You might, however, benefit more from advanced courses or workshops focused on specific emerging trends or niche areas within social media marketing. As we’ve discussed, social media marketing classes can require a time commitment and range in cost. Suppose you have limited resources or a tight schedule, and your social media marketing needs are very basic. In that case, you might be able to learn enough through free online resources and tutorials.

Learn Social Media Marketing Skills with Noble Desktop

With so many factors to consider, there are many excellent options for various learning styles and personality types regarding social media marketing courses. This enables you to determine which social media marketing fundamentals you should study and how best to grasp and retain them. Noble Desktop’s social media marketing courses teach skills that can help you start a career in the industry. Classes are small, with expert instructors, and you can retake a course for free up to a year after you take it. Those ready to dive into the field can attend in-person classes at Noble Desktop’s New York City location or attend live online social media marketing courses from anywhere in the world.

Noble Desktop offers a Social Media Video Marketing: YouTube course for students seeking to develop their skills in YouTube marketing. This hands-on course teaches students how to effectively use YouTube for social media marketing and create a successful business content strategy. It covers all aspects of video-based social media marketing, from creating a channel and editing content to monetization and using Shopify with YouTube. This one-day workshop will introduce students to current social media marketing trends within video and help them develop a marketing strategy that works for them. Students will begin with an introduction to YouTube, followed by developing a strategy for developing content and creating successful content for YouTube, among others. 

Students who need to build or create a social media marketing portfolio can benefit from Noble Desktop’s Social Media Industry and Portfolio class. In this course, students will create an earned-first creative project for their portfolio as well as update their resumes and social media presence to be prepared for these new social media job opportunities. In this class, students will update their social media presence and resumes and develop an earned-first creative project for their portfolio to prepare for new social media job opportunities. Students will learn how to optimize their online presence through brand research, campaign development, and LinkedIn networking strategies, to name a few. 

Content creators can now give their audience an interactive experience using tools like OBS. Streaming for Social Media will teach students about the main streaming platforms, including Twitch, YouTube and TikTok, as well as the fundamentals of building out your stream using the free application OBS. Students will begin by learning how to set up OBS for streaming. They will then proceed into how to stream to Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok and their benefits. 

Middle and high school students can gain a headstart in the world of social media marketing through NextGen Bootcamp’s Social Media Marketing Summer Program. With social media marketing skills, students will be empowered to be savvy digital citizens who can leverage social media responsibly and strategically for their personal and future professional goals. This summer program will teach students about the newest trends in social media marketing and how to stand out on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Students will learn to create written, visual, and videos for their target audience. Students can confidently launch a multi-platform social media campaign by the course's end.