The 15 Best Social Media Marketing Courses to Take Your Skills to the Next Level in 2023
Social media marketing has become an indispensable part of any business‘s success in today‘s digital landscape. With over 4.65 billion social media users worldwide, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn present unparalleled opportunities to reach and engage with your target audiences.
However, merely having a social media presence is not enough. To truly harness its potential, you need to have a sound social media marketing strategy in place. This is where enrolling in specialized social media marketing courses can make all the difference.
The right training program can help you master the nuances of social media marketing and stay updated on the latest trends and best practices. Whether you‘re looking to launch a social media career, enhance your small business‘s online presence, or take your brand‘s digital marketing efforts up a notch, the courses below offer immense value.
We‘ve compiled this list of the 15 best social media marketing courses based on aspects like instructor expertise, course comprehensiveness, real-world applicability, positive reviews, and university associations.
1. Social Media Marketing Specialization by Northwestern University on Coursera
Northwestern University‘s Social Media Marketing specialization on Coursera provides a comprehensive blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application. The hands-on curriculum covers everything from social media strategy development to creating engaging content and optimizing paid campaigns.
Key Highlights
- Five courses in the specialization, including a capstone project
- Issued by an accredited university (Northwestern University)
- Hands-on pedagogy focusing on practical application
- Covers latest SM marketing best practices
- 94,000+ enrollments
This specialization is suited for both beginners looking to transition into marketing roles and professionals aiming to augment their digital marketing skills. The segmented courses allow you to progressively build expertise as well.
2. Social Media Marketing Certification by HubSpot Academy
HubSpot Academy has cemented its position as one of the most reputable names in inbound marketing and sales training. Its self-paced Social Media Marketing Certification course gives a comprehensive overview of social media strategy development and management practices.
Key Highlights
- Free access to the certification course
- Covers objectives, audience targeting, content creation etc.
- Certification from a leading industry player
- Updated regularly with latest best practices
- 1 million+ course enrollments
Offering the course free of cost makes this a great launching pad for anyone looking to dip their toes into social media marketing. The certification also adds valuable credibility to your professional profile.
3. Social Selling Specialist Course by Hootsuite Academy
An offspring of the social media management juggernaut Hootsuite, Hootsuite Academy offers a wide gamut of social marketing courses for every skill level. The self-paced Social Selling Specialist course focuses specifically on leveraging social networks for higher conversion rates.
Key Highlights
- Specifically focused on social selling
- Covers networks like LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
- Content updated regularly
- Issued by an authority in social media tools
- Free access
This is an ideal course for sales professionals aiming to tap into the power of social media for generating higher quality leads. The actionable framework can help increase qualified traffic and drive better conversion rates.
4. Social Media Marketing by eCornell
For those looking for an Ivy League level credential in social media marketing, eCornell’s self-paced certificate course offers an unparalleled edge. Curated by experts from Cornell University, the curriculum delves into actionable strategies for increasing brand visibility using social networks.
Key Highlights
- Ivy League level course
- Covers objectives, audience building, content strategy etc.
- Special module on thought leadership
- Certificate issued by Cornell University
- High engagement teaching methodology
The thought leadership module helps brands position themselves as industry experts using content. Enrollees also get a certificate issued by an Ivy League university upon completion – an impressive credential to boost their social media marketing proficiency.
5. Social Media Marketing Course by IDEO U
For brands and businesses that aim to drive real impact while increasing visibility on social networks, IDEO U’s self-paced Social Impact Online specialization offers great value. While focused on ethical social media practices, enrollees also learn result-oriented organic marketing.
Key Highlights
- Focus on responsible social media marketing
- Certificate issued by acclaimed design firm IDEO
- Covers organic marketing strategy, thought leadership, audience building etc.
- Comprehensive curriculum structured into 3 courses
- Highly engaging teaching methodology
The course curriculum brings a refreshingly responsible approach to leveraging social media, making it impactful for mission-driven organizations. Participants also gain insights into building meaningful communities online.
6. Social Media Marketing Nanodegree Program by Udacity
Udacity’s Social Media Marketing Nanodegree program allows enrollees to learn by doing, through a hands-on project-based curriculum. Offering actionable insights into optimizing social promotion channels, the course is structured for maximum information retention.
Key Highlights
- Project-focused pedagogy
- Covers organic & paid promotion strategies
- Google Analytics integration covered
- Mentor support & code reviews
- Flexible access for 3 months
The meticulously devised course structure keeps repetition to a minimum and maximizes information gain through focused projects. This makes it one of the most comprehensive Udacity programs for hands-on social media marketers.
7. Social Media Marketing Training Course by Moz
Moz needs no introduction when it comes to digital marketing training. Its self-paced Social Media Marketing Course offers expert-led training through high-impact video lectures and premium downloadable resources.
Key Highlights
- Led by renowned industry experts
- Premium downloadable resources
- Secret tactics for expert-level organic reach
- High-engagement video lecture format
- $20/month subscription model
The invaluable tricks and tactics revealed by instructors like Joel Klettke make this course a powerful tool for intermediate to advanced digital marketers aiming for superior organic growth on social media. Subscriptions allow unlimited course access too.
8. Social Media Marketing Course by University of California, Davis
For those looking for formal university credentials in social media marketing, the University of California, Davis offers an in-depth Professional Certificate program. Offering research-backed best practices and trend analysis, it helps seasoned professionals gain an edge.
Key Highlights
- Certificate issued by UC Davis
- Includes extensive trend analysis
- Covers quantitative measurement frameworks
- Content regularly updated
- $49/month subscription model
Issued by a globally top-ranked university, this Professional Certificate course elevates your social media marketing skills to greater heights through meticulous trend analysis and measurement frameworks. The subscription payment model also makes it affordable.
9. Facebook Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate by Meta
Who better to learn the nuances of social media marketing than from Meta (previously Facebook) themselves? Offered through Coursera, this beginner-friendly Professional Certificate course covers the best practices for Facebook and Instagram.
Key Highlights
- Beginner-friendly curriculum
- Covers Facebook & Instagram marketing
- Includes 2 hands-on projects
- Issued by Facebook / Meta themselves
- 7-day free trial
The projects make for an engaging hands-on learning experience. Enrollees can implement learnings in real-time during the course. The credential issued directly by Facebook lends this program unmatched authority as well.
10. Social Media Marketing Course by Google Digital Garage
Google Digital Garage’s Fundamentals of Digital Marketing course offers an exclusive module covering Social Media Marketing fundamentals. Offering insights into engagement strategies, content formats, and more, it makes for solid beginner-level training.
Key Highlights
- Self-paced e-learning course
- Led by Google trainers
- Special module on social media marketing
- Also covers other digital marketing channels
- Completely free access
The course is designed as a beginner’s primer on digital marketing, with social media being one key aspect. Offered free of charge with a Google credential, it’s a great foundational course.
11. Social Media Marketing Specialist Nanodegree by Udacity
Udacity offers an exclusive Social Media Marketing Specialist Nanodegree program for experienced professionals looking to specialize further. With an emphasis on skill-building through projects, enrollees gain hands-on expertise.
Key Highlights
- Advanced social media specialization
- Comprehensive curriculum
- 1-on-1 mentor reviews
- Career-focused specialist program
- Flexible access for up to 6 months
The comprehensive course structure takes you through beginner to specialized application levels in social media marketing. This makes it ideal for intermediate learners aiming to become career-ready experts.
12. Social Media Marketing Course by the Digital Marketing Institute
Recognized for its intensive bootcamp-style training programs, Digital Marketing Institute’s self-paced Social Selling Associate Course helps enrollees gain expertise to monetize social media channels efficiently.
Key Highlights
- Advanced social selling focus
- Covers platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook
- Includes how-to guides, templates, live events etc.
- Globally recognized certification
- $348 for lifetime access
With an intense focus on leveraging social platforms for revenue, this course drastically improves your social selling and conversion optimization abilities. It prepares intermediates to hit the ground running as social media marketing pros.
13. Social Media Marketing Course by EdX IBM
For an industry-recognized credential in social media marketing, EdX’s course in partnership with IBM offers a comprehensive curriculum covering all fundamentals. Blending theory with practical application, course projects cement learnings.
Key Highlights
- Certificate by industry leader IBM
- Covers objectives, persona building etc.
- Practical projects for application
- Self-paced format
- Free audit option
The IBM Business Associate Certificate offered upon completing this course is an authoritative industry credential for any resume. Enrollees can also opt for an audit to get free access before subscribing formally.
14. Social Media Marketing Course by Alison
Alison’s beginner-oriented social media marketing course is perfect for small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to improve their branding and visibility on social media networks organically.
Key Highlights
- Beginner-level course
- Covers Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram
- Explains analytics setup
- Get recognized certificate free
- Self-paced access
The course structure and delivery make it an easy yet comprehensive introductory program in social media marketing – especially suitable for solopreneurs and small businesses lacking extensive marketing resources.
15. Kellogg Social Media Marketing Specialization
Northwestern University‘s prestigious Kellogg School of Management offers an immersive 4-course Specialization exploring social media marketing core concepts as well as real-time application.
Key Highlights
- Issued by a top-ranked B-school
- 4-module comprehensive specialization
- Learn through interactive case studies
- Up-to-date content
- 7-day free trial
Led by renowned Kellogg faculty, this Specialization brings an MBA classroom-like case study approach to social media marketing – making the skills you gain instantly applicable.
Beyond just creating profiles and posting updates, mastering the dynamic world of social media marketing requires dedicated expertise. The ever-evolving algorithms, new technologies, shifting consumer behavior – all contribute to the need for continual learning.
That‘s where advanced social media marketing courses help. Curated by industry experts and top universities, structured programs offer:
1. Comprehensive understanding: From strategy development to crisis management, specialized courses explore all critical facets of social marketing.
2. Actionable best practices: The most effective social media tactics and trends applicable across key platforms.
3. Continuous education: Regular content upgrades ensure you stay continually updated.
4. Networking and sharing: Connect with a community to share insights and experiences.
5. Credible certification: Adding valued credentials that resonate with employers.
For long-term success and goal achievement, structured learning is invaluable in social media marketing.
When choosing a course, go for ones that fit your current proficiency levels and skills gaps. Whether you‘re just starting out, looking to specialize, or preparing for a career switch, there are stellar courses out there with flexible access options.
Evaluate all parameters and recognize how potential course credentials can boost your professional worth in the digital marketing sphere. Upskilling yourself is the first step to excelling in social media marketing!
