What is the Best Course to Learn Social Media Marketing?

Social media marketing classes come in many different styles and employ a range of formats and pedagogical approaches. Social media marketing is constantly evolving. As new technologies emerge and user behavior changes, marketers must adapt their strategies to stay ahead. In the four decades since it was first released, social media marketing has significantly progressed from platforms like Friendster to an explosion of new platforms and advanced social media analytics. Since this industry-standard application has many uses, Social media marketing training can take many forms. Deciding which one is best for you is a personal decision that will depend on a host of factors, such as your goals for learning marketing, your budget, your professional or personal aspirations for using social media, and your time availability. This article will examine several key differences between training formats that are important to consider so you can decide which social media marketing training program is best for you. 

Are You New to Social Media Marketing?

When deciding which social media marketing class is best for you, a smart first step is to evaluate your current knowledge base. Have you ever handled campaign metrics before? Do you have experience working with popular social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram? Suppose the answer is “no” to these questions. In that case, you’ll likely need to begin with a class focusing on introductory-level training, such as an Intro to Social Media Marketing course or a certificate program starting with the basics.

On the other hand, if you already know fundamental social media marketing skills from prior study or online tutorials, then you’re likely further ahead to select courses that bypass introductory coursework, such as intermediate-level classes. Suppose you are a Digital Marketer interested in fully mastering its advanced functions for career advancement. In that case, you will probably be better off in a class that teaches advanced-level skills. 

How Much Are You Willing to Pay? 

For most learners, cost is essential when selecting a social media marketing study option. Marketing coursework varies in cost significantly from one training option to another. While social media marketing training is a great investment for most individuals because it helps businesses reach larger audiences, coursework can be costly, especially for longer and more involved programs. Determining your budgetary constraints is essential when selecting a class.

The lowest financial option is free online videos and courses. These courses are a low-risk approach to start learning about social media marketing or picking up a specific skill you need to support a business's growth because no expense is involved. On-demand classes are also available in social media marketing and are offered by many providers nationwide. These asynchronous courses are pre-recorded and placed online, and students who pay a fee or have a platform subscription can access them on their own time, at their own pace. Self-paced classes vary significantly in length and cost. Some take just a few hours or less to complete and cost under $100. Others are more involved, take weeks or even months to finish, and can cost several hundred dollars. Since paid and free on-demand content is asynchronous, no instructor can help you learn social media marketing. While these courses are a less expensive training option than other study forms, they alone will not prepare most learners for a more advanced marketing career.

A hands-on alternative that is affordable is social media marketing courses. These short classes typically take one day or less to complete and are available in person and live online for beginner, intermediate, and advanced social media marketing students. They usually cost less than $400; some come with a free six-month or one-year course retake. One of the best parts about these classes is that they allow learners to select their level of study. Instead of wasting time and money revisiting fundamental social media marketing techniques they may already know, students can opt to enroll in intermediate-level skill classes. Similarly, those new to social media can opt for the basic skills class, where fundamental concepts will be covered, rather than more advanced-level training.

Certificate programs and bootcamps offer more in-depth instruction in social media marketing. Some providers offer bootcamp classes that comprise three shorter skills classes: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. These usually provide the same instruction for less money than enrolling in each session separately. Most providers offer social media marketing bootcamps for under $1,000. These programs generally take several days or a whole week to complete. On the other hand, certificates are much more involved and can cost significantly more, often several thousand dollars. 

How Quickly Do You Need To Learn This Skill?

When selecting a social media marketing course, another crucial factor to consider is the amount of time you have available to complete the training. Some people have busy schedules and must balance their training with other commitments, including family events and full-time employment. Part-time study options can be good for these people since they can be flexible enough to spread out their studies over a more extended period. Part-time training might not be practical if you need to learn social media marketing quickly for work-related purposes; a full-time program is probably a better choice. Students who participate in these immersion programs get marketing skills quickly and can utilize them immediately. While full-time coursework is a faster learning option than part-time study (and much shorter than earning a college degree), it can still take many weeks or months to graduate from a certificate program in which social media marketing is taught. This is why learners interested in learning specific marketing skills in a relatively short period may be further ahead in selecting a shorter course or opting for an on-demand program covering that exact skill. This option suits those with marketing proficiency and won’t need to revisit the basics.

Do You Prefer In-Person or Online Training?

To determine which course is best for social media marketing, students must decide whether live online or in-person classes work for them. In-person classes allow for face-to-face interaction with instructors and classmates. This fosters a more dynamic learning environment where you can ask questions, participate in discussions, and receive immediate feedback. In-person training often incorporates hands-on activities, group projects, and simulations, allowing you to apply the social media marketing concepts you learn in a practical setting. This can be particularly beneficial for developing practical skills. In-person training may not be the best fit for those who can’t be physically present at a specific location and time, which can be inconvenient for busy schedules or those who live far away.

Online social media marketing training offers unmatched flexibility. With an internet connection, you can learn at your own pace, anytime and anywhere. This is ideal for busy learners or those with irregular schedules. Online platforms also offer a vast library of courses on various social media marketing topics, providing a wider range of options compared to what might be available in your area for in-person training. One of the drawbacks of online training is the need for live interaction with instructors and classmates. This can make asking questions, getting clarifications, or participating in discussions difficult. The flexibility of online training can also be a double-edged sword. Staying motivated and completing the course requires strong self-discipline and time management skills.

Learn Social Media Marketing with Noble Desktop

Once you’ve decided to learn social media marketing, it’s time to select a training option. Noble Desktop has several available classes that provide instruction at all levels. You can select from in-person and live online social media marketing courses for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. All Noble classes, bootcamps, and certificates provide learners with hands-on training in the small class environment and come with the option of a free course retake for up to a year.

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. 

Learners looking to develop a paid and organic marketing strategy for Instagram can take the Instagram Marketing Bootcamp. The one-day workshop includes creating engaging content, mastering Stories, leveraging hashtags, capturing content, developing a community, creating a post cadence, and collaborating. Students will also discover how to create a business page, use paid advertising, and integrate Shopify with Instagram. The session looks at platform functioning and advertising in addition to the content. Students create a marketing plan that works for them after learning about the latest social media marketing trends.