How to Learn Social Media Marketing

Explore different learning methods for mastering social media marketing, from in-person classes to online tutorials. Each method has its own benefits and potential drawbacks, allowing you to select the one that best fits your schedule, budget and learning style.

Key Insights

In-person social media marketing classes offer a traditional classroom environment, providing structure and encouraging real-time discussions. However, they may not be available in all locations and require a fixed schedule.
Live online classes are a good alternative for those who cannot attend in-person training, allowing real-time interaction with instructors while eliminating commuting time. Students are responsible for sourcing any needed supplies.
On-demand online classes provide the most flexibility, as they can be attended at any time from anywhere. But they require a high level of personal accountability, as there are no set deadlines or schedules.
Free online tutorials, such as those on YouTube, offer an entry point to learn about social media marketing without spending money, but they may not provide the depth of knowledge provided by more structured courses.
Social media marketing certification programs offer a comprehensive education with an industry-recognized certificate. They require a bigger time commitment but can help set you apart in the job market.
The best method for learning social media marketing depends on individual factors, such as budget, availability, learning preferences, and location.

With so many ways to learn social media marketing, it may be difficult to choose.

Your ideal learning method will depend on several factors like your budget, how much time you can commit, your work schedule, and where you live. Read below to learn more about the top five learning methods and choose which one is right for you.

In-person social media marketing classes will offer a traditional classroom environment with a highly-trained instructor and other passionate students. Often considered the fastest way to learn, in-person classes provide structure and accountability and encourage real-time discussions and a collaborative educational environment. If you prefer a collaborative learning environment and excel with hands-on experiences, then an in-person class may be best for you.

There are common concerns worth considering with an in-person class. Firstly, do you live in an area that has in-person offerings? While these classes are easy to find in larger cities, they may be less common if you live in a small town or mid-sized city. Are you concerned about sitting in traffic, arranging for a sitter, or stressed about making it from work to your class on time? While an in-person class offers the most structure, this also means they provide the least flexibility.

Live online social media marketing classes are ideal for anyone who can’t attend in-person training but still prefers a more traditional learning environment. You’ll still work with a talented instructor, allowing you to ask questions and have them answered immediately. Online classes also help you avoid sitting in traffic and dealing with parking so that you can focus solely on the course materials.

It’s important to note that for most online classes, you are responsible for sourcing any needed supplies, tools, or materials. Luckily, social media marketing courses require very few supplies, outside of your own computer, phone, and internet access.

If you’re looking for the most flexibility possible, then on-demand online social media marketing classes are for you. You can attend from wherever you choose at whatever time you choose, as well. On-demand classes create learning opportunities for anyone who works odd hours or requires more time to master skills. You can stop and start an on-demand class whenever you want, allowing you to take however much time you need to fully comprehend each lesson.

As with live online classes, you are responsible for purchasing any needed supplies, tools, or materials for on-demand classes. Additionally, classes without firm deadlines or scheduled times to meet require a lot of personal accountability. You’ll be responsible for scheduling your time appropriately, creating an environment suitable for studying and completing your program in whatever time frame you choose.

There are certainly free training resources available online. Video tutorials, like those found on YouTube, can be a great place to explore social media marketing before committing to an online or in-person course. Ultimately, attending a course with a knowledgeable instructor and structured curriculum is the most efficient way to learn as much as possible about social media marketing.

Social media marketing certification programs are a great option for those seeking a thorough education with an industry-recognized name. These programs are often a much larger commitment of your time, typically taking anywhere from a few weeks to several months, and typically end with a final exam that, once passed, provides you with an accredited certificate like OMCA™ and OMCP®. These certificates can be added to your resume or LinkedIn profile and can help set you apart from the competition.

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