Social Media Marketing Courses and Training Marketers Need

In the chronically online world of social media marketing, staying ahead of the latest social media trends, tools and platforms is essential. Whether you're managing multi-channel campaigns or building your brand's community from scratch, continuous learning is vital to succeed in your role. 

Online training courses and certifications offer an accessible way for social media marketers to stay current, expand their knowledge and maintain a competitive edge. Below, we'll explore the importance of ongoing training and share some of the best courses to consider.

Social media marketing is a dynamic field with frequent updates and new algorithms, features and advertising opportunities across various platforms. For marketers, it’s not enough to rely on what worked a year ago — staying ahead of trends and constantly refining skills is critical.

Online training courses provide flexibility, allowing professionals to learn at their own pace. Both free and paid options can help marketers grow in key areas like content creation, strategy development, social media advertising and community engagement. Many courses are updated to reflect current best practices, making them a valuable resource for marketers looking to sharpen their knowledge without committing to a traditional classroom setting or higher education.

With so many resources available, it’s important to develop habits that keep you learning and evolving in your role. Below are some essential tips to make the most of your social media training.

Sign-Up for Industry Newsletters

Industry newsletters deliver the latest trends, updates and news directly to your inbox. They are an excellent way to stay informed about algorithm changes, case studies and new features on social media platforms. Subscribing to newsletters from reputable sources like Social Media Today or our own newsletter ensures you receive the latest industry news and analysis. With platforms like Substack, industry professionals like Matt Navarra, Lia Haberman or Rachel Karten are able to share their expertise regularly.

Attend Webinars and Conferences

Webinars and conferences provide real-time insights from experts and offer networking opportunities with other professionals. Live events often cover emerging trends, platform changes and case studies that give marketers a deep understanding of what's working in the industry. 

Talk to Other Social Marketers

Connecting with other social media managers and marketers can be invaluable for sharing ideas, discussing challenges and learning new approaches. Online communities on Reddit, LinkedIn groups or Discord, allow marketers to engage in discussions, get feedback on strategies and discover different tools or workflows that could enhance their performance.

Several free online courses are available to help social media marketers refine their skills without financial investment. Below, we highlight some top free courses and certifications, including their pros, cons and the type of marketer they’re best suited for.

1. Meta Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate by Coursera

Meta’s Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate course provides an in-depth understanding of social media marketing, focusing on Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram. It covers content creation, strategy development and advertising, making it ideal for beginners and those looking to deepen their Meta-specific knowledge.

Pros:

• In-depth, platform-specific training
• Direct insights from Meta
• Includes the Fundamentals of Social Media Advertising

Cons:

• Focuses heavily on Meta platforms (Facebook and Instagram)

Best for: Beginner to intermediate marketers seeking comprehensive knowledge of Meta platforms.

2. HubSpot Social Media Marketing Certification Course

HubSpot’s free certification course offers a comprehensive look at social media strategies, content curation and reporting across platforms. It's designed for those looking to build a solid foundation in social media marketing principles and tools.

Pros:

• Covers a wide range of social platforms
• Great for inbound marketing integration
• Recognized certification

Cons:

• Limited depth on paid social advertising strategies

Best for: Beginners and inbound marketers looking to build foundational skills.

3. eMarketing Institute Social Media Marketing Certification 

The eMarketing Institute Social Media Marketing Certification course is designed for beginners, offering a broad overview of social media marketing strategies, platforms and best practices. It provides free certification upon completion and focuses on building practical skills applicable across industries.

Pros:

• Free PDF guide and certification
• Covers social media marketing fundamentals

Cons:

• Not updated as frequently as other courses

Best for: Entry-level marketers who need an introduction to social media concepts.

4. How To Create Beautiful Instagram Stories by SkillShare

This SkillShare course teaches creative techniques for designing visually appealing Instagram Stories. It covers tools, design elements and storytelling tactics to help users enhance engagement through dynamic and aesthetically pleasing content.

Pros:

• Focuses on a visually-driven platform
• Practical tips for improving story engagement

Cons:

• Limited to Instagram Stories content only

Best for: Content creators or marketers focused on visual storytelling for Instagram.

5. TikTok Academy

TikTok Academy offers a free resource for marketers to understand how to leverage TikTok’s algorithm, content creation tools and engagement strategies. It’s ideal for those looking to tap into the platform’s unique video trends and audience-building opportunities.

Pros:

• Provides platform-specific guidance for TikTok
• Official insights directly from TikTok

Cons:

• Primarily focused on TikTok's unique features

Best for: Marketers interested in mastering TikTok for business growth.

Investing in a paid course is a smart move for marketers looking for more in-depth, structured learning. These programs often offer advanced strategies, expert feedback and industry-recognized certifications.

1. 3-Week Digital Marketing Course from Columbia Business School 

Columbia’s advanced course is designed for professionals looking to expand their digital marketing expertise. It covers social media strategy, analytics and consumer behavior, blending academic insights with real-world applications to drive business growth.

Pros:

• Prestigious certification
• Covers comprehensive digital marketing strategy

Cons:

• Intensive commitment
• Higher price point

Cost: $1,700

Best for: Advanced marketers or professionals aiming to integrate social media into broader digital strategies.

2. Social Media Marketing at UCLA 

UCLA’s program is a deep dive into social media marketing, covering platform strategies, content creation and audience engagement. It’s a robust course aimed at professionals looking to align overall social media efforts with broader marketing goals.

Pros:

• Taught by industry professionals
• Access to UCLA alumni network and resources

Cons:

• Campus-based, with limited online options

Cost: Starts at $595

Best for: Marketers seeking a blend of theoretical and practical knowledge with a formal credential.

3. LinkedIn’s Social Media Marketing Strategy and Optimization

LinkedIn’s Social Media Marketing Strategy and Optimization focuses on optimizing social media strategies specifically for LinkedIn’s platform. It’s ideal for marketers seeking to enhance B2B engagement and build professional networks through content strategy and LinkedIn tools.

Pros:

• Platform-focused course
• Ideal for LinkedIn marketing strategy

Cons:

• Focuses primarily on LinkedIn

Cost: Starts at $20 per month (LinkedIn Learning subscription)

Best for: Beginner marketers aiming to leverage LinkedIn for B2B or professional marketing strategies.

4. Hootsuite’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion on Social Media Course 

Hootsuite’s DEI Social Media Course offers a unique course centered on incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) into social media strategies. The course is designed to help brands create inclusive content that resonates with diverse audiences and aligns with modern social values.

Pros:

• Focus on DEI and accessibility in social media campaigns
• Industry-leading certification

Cons:

• Niche topic

Cost: $49

Best for: Beginner marketers focused on social responsibility and inclusive messaging.

5. Social Media Marketing Bootcamp on Udemy

Udemy’s Bootcamp offers hands-on, practical training across major social media platforms. It’s an intensive course designed for individuals looking to quickly build skills in content strategy, paid advertising and social media management.

Pros:

• Broad coverage of social media platforms
• Flexible pricing during sales

Cons:

• Lacks platform-specific depth

Cost: $50

Best for: Beginners or intermediate marketers seeking a quick but thorough course on multiple platforms.

Dash Hudson offers social media managers a powerful suite of tools to craft, optimize and track their social media strategies. 

Dash Hudson’s Social Media Analytics and Reporting tools help create custom reports with your team’s most valuable metrics and receive actionable insights you can incorporate immediately. 

Competitive Insights lets you benchmark your performance against your industry and competitors to better hone in on opportunities to improve within your industry and identify areas where you thrive and where your social strategy has the potential to grow.

With its visual content insights, trend analysis and smart scheduling, Dash Hudson simplifies the management of multiple social media accounts. Its real-time reporting features help marketers stay on top of engagement metrics, ensuring that campaigns are effective and agile.