Best Ways to Learn Digital Marketing

by Michael Sahno

Of all the job sectors that have exploded in the digital age, none has proved more dynamic than digital marketing. From Google Analytics to search engine optimization (SEO), businesses require effective digital marketing tools and strategies to survive in an increasingly complex online landscape.

Sales and marketing positions used to be straightforward roles, but today’s companies may need different types of digital professionals. A thorough understanding of tools and strategies can lead to positions like the following:

Digital Marketing Explained

The digital marketing field encompasses more than social media, search engines, or email campaigns. Today’s digital marketing pros may work as a small company’s entire marketing department, or specialize in areas like SEO or social media. Unlike old-school sales and marketing efforts, digital marketing can include paid advertising like Google Ads, free engagement in the form of “likes” and shares, and measuring tools like Google Analytics.

Another important aspect of digital marketing is the customer relationship management (CRM) process. It’s become an established practice for a business to use a CRM tool like HubSpot, Salesforce, or Zoho to track engagement, improve customers’ online experience, and build and maintain relationships.

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Here are some facts about digital marketing that can help you decide which direction to go.

  1. Digital marketing pros can make a great living. Marketing Specialists and Market Research Analysts earn a median annual salary around $64,000, and Web Optimization Specialists make an average base salary about $69,000 per year.
  2. Digital continues to explode. The rise of the metaverse and continued growth of platforms like LinkedIn have made digital marketing more important than ever.
  3. While SEO matters, more and more marketing professionals are focusing on positive user experiences. Trends come and go, but excellence in customer care never goes out of style.

Starting a Marketing Career

With so many complex aspects to digital marketing, it’s important to have an idea of where you want to apply digital tools and strategies as you learn about it. Consider the following options for your education.

Free Online Resources

You most likely already have an account with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok. What you might not do yet is advertise through them. Your familiarity and comfort level with social media can be beneficial, especially if you want to be a Social Media Strategist. 

You may also be familiar with digital messaging tools like Slack, free image sites like Canva, and email marketing platforms like Mailchimp and Constant Contact. Much of your previous digital experience can be helpful; however, if you want to work in the digital marketing field, you can only learn so much from free platforms.

Individual Classes

Many course providers offer online or in-person training alternatives, including classes you can take in a day or two. For example, Noble Desktop, which hosts this search tool, offers a 12-hour Digital Marketing Strategies Bootcamp. A class like this provides training in digital strategies, and can even help you to develop and execute a successful marketing campaign.

College or University

Marketing degrees have been around forever, but digital marketing is a much newer arena. Some schools offer a Marketing B.S. degree with a digital concentration, whereas others offer hybrid programs like Design & Digital Marketing. Although these types of degrees may be appropriate for some students, the length and expense put them out of reach for others.

Bootcamps and Certificate Programs

Immersive live bootcamps and certificate programs are the ideal answer for many students and busy professionals. These courses offer in-depth training in both marketing fundamentals and practical tools and strategies.

Noble Desktop’s Digital Marketing Certificate is one such solution. A 78-hour program, it comprises bootcamps in SEO, Google Ads and Analytics, and Social Media Marketing Strategies.

Students who want to specialize in social media marketing should consider Noble’s Social Media Marketing Certificate program. Topics include marketing with popular platforms like:

  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • X (formerly known as Twitter)

Some digital marketing students take both certificates to get a comprehensive overview of both social media and other marketing tools. Each program helps reinforce the knowledge and experience gained from the other.

Students can save by taking bootcamps as part of a certificate program. For those who prefer to begin with separate digital marketing classes or bootcamps, these include the following:

Top Tools for Digital Marketers

Whether you’re a digital marketing newbie or already working in the field, free and paid tools can both help you in numerous ways. Messaging apps, stock image resources, and SEO tools are a few of the most popular among digital marketers and their colleagues. You can start using many of these before you study a single marketing topic.

  1. Canva—A resource for Designers and Digital Marketers alike, Canva is a platform that allows you to create ads with graphics, videos, and even animation. You can use their media, upload your own, or combine the two. You can get additional features with a paid plan, but the basic Canva membership is free.
  2. Yoast—The perfect plug-in for WordPress websites, Yoast helps you rate your content for both SEO and readability, giving the user a rating of Good, OK, or Needs Improvement. Like Canva, there’s a free version and a paid professional version.
  3. HubSpot—HubSpot is a popular CRM, and also offers a free version as well as a paid version, which allows for unlimited users.
  4. Slack—Originally known primarily as a messaging platform for group chat, Slack was purchased by another popular CRM, Salesforce. While not necessarily designed to replace email, Slack messaging has become a de facto “text for business” app.
  5. Pixabay—If you’re searching for stock photos or images, check out Pixabay. Comparable sites include Stocksnap, Unsplash, or Burst.
  6. Sharethrough—A self-described “omnichannel supply side platform, ” Sharethrough provides numerous tools for advertisers and publishers. Want to check a headline for engagement? Run it through the free Sharethrough Headline Analyzer. A favorite among content creators of all kinds.
  7. Google Analytics—The granddaddy of analytics services, Google Analytics comes free with your Google account. Their main page gives website owners a host of information, from figures on web traffic to user location, most visited pages, and conversion rates, among others.

Digital Marketing Certifications

Professional development opportunities for digital marketing and social media marketing pros include certifications, CEUs, and other coursework. If you’re looking for some of the most popular certificates, consider these:

  • Google Analytics IQ Certification
  • Google AdWords Certification
  • American Marketing Association (AMA) Digital Marketing Certification
  • HubSpot Email Marketing Certification
  • Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification

With so many choices, and multiple sub-categories within them, it can be challenging to know which area of digital marketing you would most like to learn. Whether you decide to be a Digital Strategist or a Paid Search Manager, consider building your knowledge base through a targeted digital marketing bootcamp or certificate.