Best Social Media Marketing Classes: Online & In-Person

If you need to promote a product, service, or brand, you need to learn social media marketing. You can engage an audience, grow that following, and turn followers into customers mostly by using free social media platforms.

Maybe your goal is to become a Social Media Manager and represent a company or brand on social media. The first step is to learn about social media marketing and the best way to do that is to sign up for a class. There are three ways to study social media marketing: self-paced, in-person, and live online. Self-paced involves watching recorded videos, while in-person and live online classes have an instructor. Read on to find out about some programs available to get you started on your social media marketing journey! 

1. Noble Desktop—Social Media Marketing Certificate (In-Person and Live Online)
2. BrainStation—Social Media Marketing Course Online (In-Person and Live Online)
3. NYIM Training—Social Media Marketing Certificate (In-Person and Live Online)
4. Certstaffix Training—Social Media Combo (Live Online)
5. Simplilearn—Social Media Certification Training (In-Person and Live Online)
6. headTrix—Social Media Marketing (Live Online)
7. Digital Workshop Center-–Social Media Marketing (Live Online)
8. Media Training—Social Media Marketing Intro (Live Online)
9. City Lit—Social Media Content Strategy (Live Online)
10. Bootcamp Digital–Social Media Marketing Master Certification (Live Online)

#1: Noble Desktop—Social Media Marketing Certificate (In-Person and Live Online)

Noble Desktop’s Social Media Marketing Certificate provides all of the training necessary to launch a social media marketing campaign or to start a new career. With 72 hours of instruction on the basics of social media platforms, foundational marketing principles, and portfolio preparation, his course will help you set marketing goals, choose the most appropriate social media platform to meet those goals, and attract and grow a following. You will also learn about content management and data analytics. The course covers the major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, X (formerly known as Twitter), and blogging. Course assignments are real-world projects that can be used to create a digital portfolio for job-seeking activities.

Key Information

Noble’s Social Media Marketing Certificate course costs $2,495. Installment payments are available with ten percent down. The course can be completed in four weeks, but you can choose between a full-time, part-time, or weekend schedule. There are no prerequisites for this beginner’s course beyond basic computing skills.

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When students finish the course, they receive a verified digital certificate of completion approved by the New York State Department of Education. Classes are kept small to encourage interaction with the instructor. Students may retake the class for free within the following year. Sessions are recorded and made available to students within 24 hours after the end of class.

Students appreciate the thoroughness of Noble’s Social Media Marketing Certificate and credit the instructors with making sure everyone understands the topic before moving on. Reviews also noted that the material was up-to-date and the instructors gave useful feedback.

#2: BrainStation—Social Media Marketing Course Online (In-Person and Live Online)

BrainStation introduces beginners to social media platforms and how to use them to market products through a Social Media Marketing Course Online. The three-section course covers strategy, audience building, planning a campaign, and managing content. The second section addresses the different social media platforms and their similarities and differences and how to use paid advertising on social media. The third section is about engaging and growing an audience on social media, as well as influencer marketing, managing a community, and customer service.

Key Information

This is a part-time course with 7,3-hour sessions. The course costs $2,450, which can be paid up front, or through monthly payments of $224 a month for a year. Scholarships are also available. There are no prerequisites for the course, which is intended for people who want a better understanding of social media and how it can be used for marketing.

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More than 100,000 students have enrolled in BrainStation courses since 2012. Students appreciate the confidence they get from the course and felt it helped them get ahead in their careers.

#3: NYIM Training—Social Media Marketing Certificate (In-Person and Live Online)

NYIM has a Social Media Marketing Certificate that trains students to use various social media platforms to market products and services on the internet. The course has eight sections, which can be taken alone or as part of the certificate course. Classes include Instagram Marketing Bootcamp, Facebook Marketing Bootcamp, Social Media Content Marketing: Blogs & X, TikTok Marketing, YouTube Marketing, Streaming for Social Media, Social Media Industry & Portfolio, and LinkedIn Marketing Bootcamp. The course also covers building a following and using analytics to assess campaigns.

Key Information

Tuition for the course is $2,495 and can be paid in full or in monthly installments. Students can take the course full-time, part-time, or on the weekends. There are no prerequisites for this course that is designed to teach students the skills they need to start a new career in social media marketing.

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At the completion of the course, students receive a verified digital certificate of completion that can be attached to a LinkedIn profile or digital resume. Students appreciate the small class sizes and experienced instructors.

#4: Certstaffix Training—Social Media Combo (In-Person and Live Online)

The Social Media Combo from Certstaffix Training is made up of six classes covering basic marketing and focusing on the most popular social media platforms. The course is made up of the following classes: Social Media for Business, Facebook Advertising, Instagram for Business, LinkedIn for Business, X for Business, and YouTube for Business. 

The course teaches students to define a target audience, use social media tools, tune in to online conversations, create content, and measure its effectiveness with data analytics. Classes can be taken individually or in a series. Certstaffix teaches in-person, live online, and on-demand classes. Certstaffix also offers in-person corporate group classes.

Key Information

Individual classes cost $450 and the full six-class Social Media Combo course costs $2,400. The on-demand course costs $300 for all six classes for six months. The one-day classes meet between 10 a.m. And 5 p.m. Eastern Time. There are no formal prerequisites for this beginner’s course that can help beginners start a career in social media marketing. Full payment is due at the time of registration. There are no installment plans but discounts are available. 

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The classes are designed to prepare students to take the certification exams from companies like Google. Students receive a certificate of completion at the completion of the course. Students report that instructors are professional and knowledgeable. They set very clear goals and adapt lessons to individual industries.

#5: Simplilearn—Social Media Certification Training (In-Person and Live Online)

Simplilearn’s in-person Social Media Certification Training in New York City and live online covers skills crucial for people who want to switch to a new career as a Social Media Marketer. Skills included are social media strategy, online reputation management, influencer marketing, content marketing, and web analytics. The course also presents the different social media platforms and how to decide which is right for a particular campaign. This class is geared toward Digital Marketers, Salespeople, Content Creators, and entrepreneurs.

Key Information

The course costs $1,499, and students can make payments. The class includes seven one-hour sessions and three months of access to self-paced video resources. There are no prerequisites for the course.

More Details

At the conclusion of the course, students take a certification exam. A score of 75 percent or more is required to earn a certificate. Students like the class format and consider the material to be relevant and presented in a professional manner.

#6: HeadTrix—Social Media Marketing (Live Online)

Social Media Marketing Level 1 from headTrix covers basic skills like how social media networks function, how to create a web presence, start a blog, and use platforms like Facebook, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Social Media Marketing Level 2 looks at other platforms like Pinterest, Tumbler, and Instagram, and includes instruction on analytics, content strategy, newsletters, and automation. headTrix offers live online and in-person social media training for business owners and people who want to work as Social Media Marketers.

Key Information

The cost for each 2-day class is $695. Classes are held from 9:30 a.m. To 4:30 p.m. There are no prerequisites for Level 1, but you need to take Level 1 before Level 2. 

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Students may repeat the social media marketing classes for free within six months of completing the course. Students have found the class helpful, fun, and informative. 

#7: Digital Workshop Center–Social Media Marketing (Live Online)

The Digital Workshop Center’s Social Media Marketing is a class for anyone unfamiliar with using social media for business. The course shows business owners how to use social media platforms to increase business, recognize the best social media platform for their business, how to engage an audience, grow an online community, and drive traffic to a company website. During class assignments, students learn to create campaigns, connect with customers, and increase brand loyalty. 

Key Information

The Digital Workshop Center is located in Fort Collins, Colorado and class meets in the Mountain Time Zone. There are two 90-minute sessions. The cost for the course is $159 but a monthly payment plan and several scholarships are available. They also accept some funding for dislocated workers, people with disabilities, and veterans. The course has no prerequisites.

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Part of the program is 1-on-1 career counseling and mentoring. Course assignments are designed around real-world skills. Students have found the classes useful and convenient. 

#8: Media Training—Social Media Marketing Intro (Live Online)

London-based Media Training has social media courses available in-person and live online, including Social Media Marketing Intro. This is an introductory class to teach students to understand the main platforms, create content strategies, plus copywriting for social media. Students will learn how to write for a particular audience, what makes a successful post, and how to create a content calendar. The course also covers using the right hashtags and useful tools for social media marketing. Media Training offers other social media marketing classes like Social Media Marketing Advertising, Creating Social Media Graphics, and Copywriting.

Key Information

The course costs $288.70 USD plus tax, and Media Training accepts major credit cards. Courses are scheduled Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. To 4:30 p.m. London time. There are no prerequisites for this beginner’s course.

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Students find the classes informative and useful with experienced instructors. Classes moved quickly and were very interesting.

#9: City Lit—Social Media Content Strategy (Live Online)

City Lit is a London-based adult education company offering more than 5,000 courses including social media classes aimed at businesses. Social Media Content Strategy looks at ways to use content to grow a business. Students learn how to create a social media strategy, write effective posts, and grow an audience through good content and the right hashtags. During class, students will use their own businesses and social media accounts to complete assignments. 

Key Information

The cost for this on-day course is $61.79 USD. Participants over 65 are eligible for a small discount and payment plans are available. There are no prerequisites for the class, but previous experience on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram will be helpful.

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Students should already have accounts on social media and be able to log in to those accounts before class begins. Students give City Lit top reviews with 70% of students giving City Lit 4 or 5 stars.

#10: Boot Camp Digital—Social Media Marketing Master Certification (Live Online)

Social Media Marketing Master Certification is a live online class from Boot Camp Digital. This course is designed to give students the tools they need to promote a business on social media.

This intensive bootcamp provides a deep dive into the continually evolving world of social media marketing. The course covers strategy to create a successful social media marketing campaign that gets results, high-quality content to engage an audience, and achievable goals to help track progress. The course is taught by industry professionals who share best practices and methods to determine which social media platform is the best for the business’s goals. Key Information

The class costs $2,497 and lasts eight hours for four days. This is a course for beginners and there are no prerequisites.

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After completing the four-day bootcamp, students get a 90-day All-Access Pass to Digital Bootcamp’s online learning library. Boot Camp Digital has a 4.7 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot and students comment that the class was valuable and always evolving.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Choose a Social Media Marketing Class?

The live online social media marketing classes meet at a set time with a live instructor. Students log in through Zoom and can ask questions or talk with other students during regular breaks. Some programs make recordings and slides available after the course is over or allow free retakes. Self-paced classes are video lectures you can watch on your own schedule. You can stop and rewatch as much as you like while you are subscribed, and some have free trial periods. These on-demand classes are a good choice for people with unusual schedules. Take a look at the websites and see how the classes compare.

Is It Better to Attend a Social Media Marketing Class In-person or Online?

Everyone has a preferred learning style and environment. If you enjoy face-to-face interaction and have the flexibility to attend an in-person class, that is a good choice for you. If you prefer the convenience of a live online session, you can have the same amount of interaction with the convenience of logging on to class from your preferred location.

What Will I Need for a Social Media Marketing Class?

If you’re taking the class online, you will need a computer with an internet connection. If you’re attending in-person, the school may provide computer workstations, but you will likely need a home computer to practice outside of class.

Can I Learn Social Media Marketing Online for Free?

There are many free social media marketing tutorials on YouTube. These can give you an idea of the basic concepts and what it is like to work as a Social Media Manager. If you really want to learn social media marketing in the most thorough and efficient way, taking a class is your best bet. Instructors are experienced industry professionals who know the best practices and keep current in the field.

Is It Better to Learn Social Media Marketing in a Live or Self-paced Class?

Live classes have more of a traditional classroom vibe with an instructor who can answer your questions and classmates who can interact with you, but you have to be able to fit the class into your schedule. Self-paced classes lack the interaction but are more flexible as far as time.