Chief content officer.
Community manager.
eCommerce expert.
AdWords specialist.
You’ve probably seen these marketing job titles and may have wondered what qualifies a marketer to have such a job title.
While these jobs are a subset of digital marketing, the distinction between traditional marketing and digital marketing has blurred in the past decade - making "marketing" a broad department encompassing many roles. As marketing roles move beyond "marketing manager," and head toward specialized niches within the umbrella of "marketing," marketers must adapt and further their education to stay on top of what's relevant, needed, and in demand.
Luckily, most marketers still have time to level up their games, as a huge gap between existing digital marketing best practices and what’s currently found in most organizations persists.
What Makes a Killer Digital Marketer Resume?
If you’re looking for a new job in marketing, and interested in something more specialized (like the above roles), it may be time to give your resume a makeover and learn the latest tools of the trade.
In today's world, simply being a copywriter won't get you far. Companies are looking for well-rounded candidates, like a copywriter who understands SEO and analytics.
If you lack the broader layers of marketing knowledge, never fear. There are hundreds of certification and training opportunities out there to help build a powerful resume.
But where do you start? Which certifications are legit? Which training programs will give the most bang for your buck?
Look no further than our curated list of the best marketing certifications and courses online. Check out one, or all of them, and boost your resume to land your dream marketing role.
Happy learning!
HubSpot Inbound Certification
12 Classes
4.5 Hours
Cost: Free
The HubSpot Inbound Certification is a good starting point if you want a broad overview of what today's inbound marketing methodology encompasses. You’ll learn about blogging, SEO, lead nurturing, and the inbound marketing funnel.
Inbound marketing is proven to work in acquiring high-quality leads for small and large brands alike. Instead of traditional marketing methods, where marketers purchase email leads, TV airtime, and do cold calls, inbound marketing is founded on the idea of creating a value-filled content (blog posts, eBooks, videos etc.) to attract prospects and build relationships with them.
Besides instructional videos, the HubSpot Inbound Certification also includes downloadable checklists and templates that you can use to start your own inbound marketing campaign.
The course ends with a certification exam, and once you've passed, you receive an inbound certification badge to display on your LinkedIn profile or personal website.
With the number of brands adopting inbound, you are more likely to get hired if you’re inbound-certified. Trust us on this one!
Still hungry for more? You can get yourself busy with the rest of HubSpot’s certifications such as email marketing, inbound sales, HubSpot sales and marketing software, and growth-driven design. All of these are free as well, and are valid for a year.
Google AdWords Certification
6 courses
Cost: Free
Like HubSpot’s inbound certification, you can study and take the Google AdWords Certification at your own pace. This certification is a huge boost to your resume if you’re looking into focusing on PPC (pay-per-click) as a digital marketer.
To be AdWords certified, you need to pass two exams: the AdWords Fundamentals exam and one of the following — search advertising, display advertising, video advertising, mobile advertising, and shopping advertising.
Before you go through the certification exam (120 minutes for each test), it pays to go over the study guides and try to implement them in practice. The certification is valid for a year.
Still hankering for something more technical from Google? Their Individual Analytics Certification is worth checking out too.
Digital Marketer Mastery Courses and Certifications
Digital Marketer is a marketing training company made up of real marketers who successfully sell their products and services online using the techniques they teach in their mastery courses.
You have the option to take one or more (if not all!) of the following courses:
What is it: The Content Marketing Mastery class is an advanced, 6 module, 40 lesson online course that aims to help you master the content funnel, content marketing metrics, blog marketing, and content distribution.
To move on to another module, you’ll have to take a short quiz. You also have to sit for the final certification exam after completing the entire course.
Who is it for: This is for anyone who wants to move on from basic to highly specialized knowledge in content marketing — from creating editorial planners to figuring out which channels are a best fit for your content. Downloadable templates and checklists are also included in the course.
Price: $495 for the course and $500 to get certified
What is it: The Search Marketing Mastery class is an advanced, 5 module, 70 lesson online course focusing on experience optimization, earned media, and link building.
To move on to another module, you’ll have to take a short quiz. You also have to sit for the final certification exam after completing the entire course.
Who is it for: This is for anyone who wants to master and develop an organic traffic strategy that really works. If you want to learn how to get your site to rank for keywords using honest, sustainable techniques, the Search Marketing Mastery course is for you.
In addition, you’ll have access to downloadable templates and checklists including the 7-Point Search Health Audit Checklist and 14-Point Web Page Optimization Checklist.
Price: $495 for the course and $500 to get certified
What is it: The Email Marketing Mastery class is an advanced, 5 module, 62 lesson online course with focus on email campaign creation, email copywriting & design, and email deliverability. In this course, you will learn how to measure results as well as the proven ways to optimize clicks and opens.
To move on to another module, you’ll have to take a short quiz. You also have to sit for the final certification exam after completing the entire course.
Who is it for: This course is a good fit for anyone who wants to master and develop an email marketing campaign that’s guaranteed to generate leads and boost engagement. Downloadable templates and checklists are also included in the course.
Price: $495 for the course and $500 to get certified
What is it: The Analytics and Data Mastery class is an advanced, 7 module, 72 lesson online course that aims to help marketers make data-driven decisions instead of hunches. The course includes lessons on data collection strategies, analytics for each section of the content funnel, and the ins and outs of running a data-driven business.
To move on to another module, you’ll have to take a short quiz. You also have to sit for the final certification exam after completing the entire course.
Who is it for: This is for anyone who wants to learn advanced techniques in figuring out the key metrics that really matter and what your brand needs to track on a regular basis. Downloadable templates and checklists are also included in the course.
Price: $495 for the course and $500 to get certified
What is it: The Optimization and Testing class is an advanced, 7 module, 40 lesson online course with focus on identifying and prioritizing tests, element selection, hypothesis construction, and optimization methods.
To move on to another module, you’ll have to take a short quiz. You also have to sit for the final certification exam after completing the entire course.
Who is it for: This is a good fit for you if you want to go beyond the basics of split testing and conversion rate optimization. You’ll learn how to formulate a solid hypothesis, do split testing the right way (hint: most marketers do it wrong), and how to accurately report on your optimization campaigns.
Price: $495 for the course and $500 to get certified
What is it: The Social and Community Mastery class is an advanced, 5 module, 62 lesson online course with focus on the psychology of social listening, influencing, and social selling.
To move on to another module, you’ll have to take a short quiz. You also have to sit for the final certification exam after completing the entire course.
Who is it for: This is for you if you want to do more than just tweet or post Instagram photos regularly. If you want to employ sound social media marketing practices to meet business, this course is for you.
In addition, you’ll have access to downloadable templates and checklists including the Social Media Topic Map handout and 3-Step Social Media Customer Service Plan for upset customers who post on social media.
Price: $495 for the course and $500 to get certified
What is it: The Ecommerce Marketing class is an advanced, 5 module, 40 lesson online course that helps marketers optimize ecommerce websites.
To move on to another module, you’ll have to take a short quiz. You also have to sit for the final certification exam after completing the entire course.
Who is it for: This is for you if you're curious about reducing buyers’ remorse and refund rates, as well as build a shopping cart experience that will minimize cart abandonment. The course also includes handouts and worksheets.
Price: $495 for the course and $500 to get certified
What is it: The Paid Traffic Mastery class is an advanced, 6 module, 35 lesson online course that details the nuts and bolts of choosing the right paid traffic system.
To move on to another module, you’ll have to take a short quiz. You also have to sit for the final certification exam after completing the entire course.
Who is it for: If you’re particularly interested in learning the ins and outs of Google and Facebook’s Ad platform, this course if for you. You’ll also learn retargeting techniques to maximize results and how to get use other traffic channel alternatives.
Price: $495 for the course and $500 to get certified
What is it: The Conversion Funnel Mastery class is an advanced, 6 module, 56 lesson online course that helps marketers build (and optimize) a conversion funnel to acquire more customers while reducing acquisition costs.
To move on to another module, you’ll have to take a short quiz. You also have to sit for the final certification exam after completing the entire course.
Who is it for: This course is ideal for anyone who is wants to attract and retain more customers and clients by rethinking their existing customer acquisition campaigns. The course also includes handouts and worksheets.
Price: $495 for the course and $500 to get certified
Learn more about the pricing bundles for teams offered by Digital Marketer here.
Experience + Certification
Like marketing degrees, a marketing certification is not your instant ticket to employment.
In most cases, experience is desired along with certifications in digital marketing. Certification badges are a great way to initially gain the attention of employers. Business case studies, or your portfolio, heavily affect how you come across when applying for a new position.
Want to learn more about digital marketing for free? Hop on to the Lean Labs resources page!
