How to Learn Digital Marketing: 5 Effective Learning Methods You Need to Know

Discover how to make your mark in the fast-growing field of digital marketing. Learn how to use popular digital marketing software and tools, understand digital marketing principles, and explore career opportunities in this rewarding industry.

Key Insights

With the growth of internet usage, digital marketing has become crucial for businesses, making it a trending career path. Companies are increasingly seeking digital marketing professionals to help them expand their online presence.
To start a career in digital marketing, it's essential to understand basic principles and have technical skills. Several available learning methods can aid in acquiring this knowledge.
Taking in-person digital marketing classes can be an effective way to learn, providing opportunities for networking and direct interactions with industry experts. However, these classes require physical attendance and may be more expensive compared to other methods.
Live online digital marketing classes offer a similar experience to in-person classes, but with more flexibility. These classes may be more affordable as they do not require a physical venue. However, technical difficulties can sometimes disrupt learning progress.
On-demand online digital marketing classes offer the most flexibility, allowing learners to progress at their own pace. However, learners may lack real-time instructor support and may need to procure necessary learning materials on their own.
Free digital marketing tutorials are available online, especially on platforms like YouTube. However, these may not provide in-depth knowledge for more complex digital marketing concepts and strategies.
Digital marketing certificates and certifications can be earned upon completion of specific programs or passing certain exams. These credentials can enhance career prospects in digital marketing.

Digital marketing is a type of marketing where the internet and digital communications are used to engage with and promote to consumers. Traditional marketing, also known as offline marketing, is still a popular method, but digital marketing has seen massive growth in the last two decades.

This is because technological advancements have made the public more reliant on the internet for purchasing products and services. Companies realized that if consumers are going to use the internet to make their shopping decisions, then they would need to begin marketing to them online.

Digital marketing is also used to measure the effectiveness of advertisements and digital content. Companies can use web analytics services to determine who is viewing their ads and content the most. They can also figure out if their website is receiving enough web traffic and strategize how to improve it if it isn’t. Digital marketing has provided new ways for companies to target consumers they otherwise would not have been able.

Digital marketing is a trending career path. Google Trends found that the skill set expected of Digital Marketers ranks among the top trending job skills. Marketing is essential to growing a business and increasing sales and digital marketing is helping companies do so by targeting online consumers. As such, it’s expected that the industry will only continue to grow. Companies that need to expand and maintain their digital presence are often looking to fill digital marketing positions.

To start a career in digital marketing, you’ll need to have an understanding of its basic principles. Knowing how to use popular digital marketing software and tools is also necessary for working in a specialized role. Technical skills are valued in digital marketing. If you don’t yet have any of this knowledge, there are several ways that you can learn digital marketing. Below are five effective learning methods that you need to know to get started in the industry.

Enroll in In-Person Digital Marketing Classes

One of the most effective ways to learn digital marketing is to take an in-person class. Classes are led by industry experts who are dedicated to providing you with the tools you need to begin or advance your career. In this traditional classroom setting, you’ll be able to ask your instructor questions and receive feedback. In-person classes also give you the opportunity to meet and network with others in or entering the industry.

You can go online to find in-person digital marketing classes in your area. If you know of any training centers or schools around you, you can also check their website or call them to see if they have any upcoming classes. Some schools offer classes regularly or on a rolling basis.

When you enroll in an in-person digital marketing class, you may be required to pay for it upfront. Most enrollment pages will tell you the total amount due before you commit to enrolling. They will also tell you about any additional fees that are required, like a registration fee or a materials fee. Some schools may offer scholarships, discounts (especially for groups), and/or flexible payment options. If you cannot find this information before enrolling, reach out to the school or training center for more information.

There are pros and cons to taking an in-person digital marketing class. If you learn best when you are being taught by others, then an in-person class will probably be right for you. You will have access to an instructor when taking an in-person class. The instructor can provide you with answers to your questions, 1-on-1 feedback, and in-depth demonstrations.

In-person classes may also provide you with some of the necessary materials needed to take the class as well. If an in-person class requires you to install paid software, you will likely be responsible for paying that additional cost. However, some instructors will help you access free trials of software.

In-person digital marketing classes are the least flexible learning option. If you want to take an in-person class, you’ll have to find one that fits your schedule. You will also need to commute to the location, so travel time needs to be taken into consideration when checking if a class time works for you.

In-person classes are often more expensive than their live online and on-demand counterparts. This is because in-person classes require an instructor to teach and a physical location to host the classes. These are expenses for the school or training center holding the classes.

You should thoroughly consider the pros and cons of taking an in-person digital marketing class before you enroll in one. You need to consider your learning style first and foremost. If you know that you prefer to work by yourself and decide on the pace, then an in-person class might not be right for you. However, if you enjoy instructor-led courses with hands-on learning then you should consider an in-person class. You will also need to consider the cost of enrolling as well as if any classes are offered in your area that fit your schedule.

For anyone in the New York City area, there are several in-person digital marketing classes that you can sign up for today on CourseHorse. Noble Desktop offers several in-person digital marketing classes at their NYC location. Many of these classes are centered around learning how to utilize social media platforms to engage with consumers, create content, and promote products and services. You can take their classes, TikTok Marketing and YouTube Marketing to learn to do just that. They also offer several boot camps where you can learn things from social media marketing to search engine optimization (SEO) to Google Ads.

Check online frequently to see if in-person digital marketing classes are being taught in your area. Populous cities and locations with universities frequently offer classes at training centers and schools. However, if there are not any offered near you or if you have decided that in-person classes aren’t right for you, there are several other learning methods.

Attend Live Online Digital Marketing Classes

Live online digital marketing classes maintain the general feeling of a traditional classroom while giving you more flexibility in how you learn. These classes are instructor-led and take place in real time. However, they’re taught over an online video conferencing platform like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Unless you are attending a private 1-on-1 class, you will be virtually surrounded by peers in a live online digital marketing class.

You can find live online digital marketing classes online and on CourseHorse. Some schools and training centers that have physical locations hold live online classes in addition to in-person classes. Consider looking up any schools or training centers you know of in your area to see if they offer live online delivery of their digital marketing classes.

You can register online to take a live online digital marketing class. Payment is typically due upfront for live classes. However, if the class is part of a series, a boot camp, or a program then you might be offered flexible payment options. If you are planning to take a live online class, you should be prepared to incur a materials expense. Live online classes may not provide you with all the necessary materials; in that case, you are responsible for procuring materials, including software, yourself.

There are pros and cons to taking a live online digital marketing class. Live online classes are more flexible than in-person classes. You can attend them from any interruption-free environment as long as you have a stable internet connection. This includes from the comfort of your home or office. There’s also no need to commute to take a live online class, which saves you time and keeps you out of traffic.

Live online classes may be slightly less expensive than their in-person counterparts because no physical building is required to host the class. However, the cost of materials that you need to purchase should also be taken into consideration when looking at the cost of a live online class versus an in-person class.

Live online classes are more flexible than in-person classes, but if you take one you are still beholden to a schedule. Live online classes, like in-person classes, may be offered at any time of day on any day of the week. There is always a chance that a live online class you are interested in is not offered during the time that you are available.

Live online classes are taught by expert instructors using a platform like Zoom. Although this is similar to a traditional classroom, the online delivery of a course may make it difficult to interact with your instructor and/or peers. You can still ask your instructor questions, but this may be more difficult over an online platform. These classes are also subject to potential technical difficulties on your end or the instructor’s end.

When considering whether to take a live online digital marketing class, you need to consider your learning style, the cost of the class, the class schedule, and your schedule. The more flexible nature of a live online class may catch your interest. If you can find a class that is scheduled when you’re available, don’t worry; there are other flexible learning methods available to you.

There are live online digital marketing classes advertised online and on CourseHorse that you can sign up for today. El Camino College offers a live online Digital Marketing program to learners of all skill levels. In this program, you will learn how to use Facebook, Google, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter) as part of a digital marketing campaign. The instructor will also teach you the basics of SEO, market research, and other digital marketing principles and strategies. The program costs $3,745 and takes place over 16-19 sessions depending on the start date you choose.

Digital Workshop Center (DWC) offers a beginner-level class, Digital Marketing Strategy. This four-session class costs $895 and includes 14 hours of classroom training, professional textbooks and materials, downloadable materials with practice data files, one month of technical support, a one-year free retake policy, and a certificate of completion. In this class, students learn the fundamental concepts and strategies of marketing and gain data-driven digital marketing skills that can help them start or advance their careers.

On-demand digital marketing classes are more flexible than in-person and live online classes. On-demand classes consist of content like recorded lectures, files, and presentations that you can access and work through at your own pace. On-demand classes may have an instructor who you can contact to ask questions or an instructor who has recorded lectures, but ultimately, they’re self-paced classes that you can work through when it’s convenient for you.

There are quite a few on-demand digital marketing classes. You can find them online or posted directly to the websites of schools and training centers. Some on-demand classes have live online counterparts, but many schools and training centers specialize solely in on-demand classes. If you’ve taken a live online class before and are interested in switching to on-demand course delivery, see if the school or training center you enrolled with previously offers on-demand classes.

On-demand classes tend to cost considerably less than in-person and live online classes. This is because all content is uploaded, and the class doesn’t require a live instructor or a physical building to host the class. Some on-demand digital marketing classes can also be bundled together when registering for even more savings. Payment for on-demand classes may be needed upfront or you may be offered a flexible payment plan depending on the cost of the class or program you’re signing up for.

The self-paced nature of on-demand classes makes them the most flexible learning method. You can choose when to work your way through a course. This makes them preferred by students and working professionals who have busy schedules.

It’s important to note that most on-demand classes have a time limit to how long you can access the course. Once your subscription is up, you’ll no longer be able to access class material. However, some classes and programs may provide you with lifetime access so that you can refer to past material whenever you would like.

When taking an on-demand class, you won’t have access to an instructor who can answer your questions and provide you with feedback in real-time. This can make it difficult to continue a class if you’re stuck on a concept or problem. You have the option of turning to the internet with your questions or seeing if the class provides you with someone to contact when questions arise, like an instructor, advisor, or mentor.

On-demand classes are more likely to require you to procure all necessary materials than in-person classes. If software subscriptions are required to take a class, you will likely need to purchase that on your own. Be sure to check for free trials when researching the costs of digital marketing software.

On-demand classes are a great learning method for people who learn best on their own and who have busy schedules. On-demand classes vary greatly in duration, so you can look for ones that are easy to finish after work, or long programs that will keep you busy in your spare time. Before committing to an on-demand class, make sure that you can keep yourself on track and learn completely new material on your own.

If you’re interested in bundling on-demand digital marketing courses, Cerstaffix offers a paid search marketing e-learning bundle for $350. This bundle consists of three on-demand digital marketing classes. The classes focus on digital marketing fundamentals and paid search or pay-per-click marketing. This marketing strategy is a cost-effective and efficient way to drive traffic to websites, making it a common strategy used by businesses.

You can register for General Assembly’s on-demand Digital Marketing program for $950. This program includes 53 unique lessons, downloadable lesson guides, quizzes, and other content. You’ll have access to the platform for 12 months, giving you plenty of time to learn the foundations of digital marketing and principles that you can apply to your career in the field.

Watch Free Digital Marketing Tutorials

You can learn basic digital marketing skills by watching tutorials on YouTube. If you are good at learning on your own and pick up new material easily, it is possible you can learn the principles of digital marketing online for free. However, certain digital marketing strategies and tools are difficult to learn this way.

Tutorials can provide you with the theory behind certain digital marketing concepts, but other more difficult concepts will be easier to pick up if you take a class. Things like SEO, analytics, and content marketing are best learned through a class where you will receive not only detailed instruction but also practical experience. Free online tutorials also typically do not provide anyone to ask questions when you are stuck on a concept.

Explore Digital Marketing Certificates & Certification

Some digital marketing classes offer certificates of completion once the class has ended, and you have successfully worked your way through the material. Some training programs will provide you with digital certificates that you can attach to your resume or post to your LinkedIn profile.

If you’re interested in earning a digital marketing certificate, there are plenty of programs that offer them upon completion. LinkedIn Learning’s Google Universal Analytics Essential Training includes a certificate of completion, as does Meta’s Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate program available on Coursera. The latter program advertises the certificate as employer-recognized. This program may also be accepted for credit at your college or university as it is certified by the American Council on Education.

Other digital marketing classes and programs offer certification to students who have taken an exam and passed with a minimum score. Certifications show employers that you are trained in a program or software. Because you must pass an exam to receive certification, employers know that you possess an understanding of the program or software that is expected of users.

Certification courses will require students to take several classes over time. These classes will teach students new skills that can help them enter or advance within the industry. Certification programs are typically centered around a specific digital marketing program or software, although some may prepare you to take certification exams for several different programs or software.

The University of North Florida (UNF) has partnered with Greenfig to offer an on-demand Digital Marketing Certificate program. This is a 10-week program that provides you with a university-issues certificate of completion and the following certifications:

Google Ads Search Certification
Google Analytics Certification
HubSpot Email Marketing Certification

Meta’s Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate program provides students with not only a certificate of completion but also the chance to take the Meta-certified Digital Marketing Associate Certification Exam. The exam is free of charge the first time you take it and if you require a retake. If you need to take it an additional time, you will be charged a fee of $50 per retake. Students will take six social media-focused classes that will help them prepare for this exam.

Certstaffix’s live online Google Ads Course takes place over three days. At the end of the course, you’ll be prepared to take the following exams:

Google Ads Search Certification
Google Ads Display Certification
Google Ads Video Certification
Google Ads Measurement Certification

These exams are administered by a third-party testing company that will charge you an exam fee.

When deciding what type of digital marketing program to enroll in, first check if any certificates or certifications are offered. If they are, consider their relevancy and how they might help you advance your career. The cost of taking a certification exam may also impact what type of program you enroll in. Some programs will pay for your exam fees or include them in the price of tuition while others will require you to schedule an exam with a third-party testing company that will determine the exam fee themselves.

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