What’s the difference between CPM and oCPM in Facebook Advertising?
What are the newest strategies to optimize organic reach on Facebook?
How do you track Twitter ROI? LinkedIn ROI?
When it comes to social media marketing, there’s a lot to learn.
In an industry that changes by the minute it can be difficult to nail down the exact training one needs to become a fully fledged social media marketer. If you’ve sat down to research what is involved you’ll already know. All social media marketing training is spread across a thousand different courses, articles, webinars and podcasts.
Luckily, we’ve been there too. As a organization within the marketing industry we’ve had to get several marketers up to speed on what’s current in social media marketing. We’ve done the heavy lifting and sorted through the good and bad courses.
Here are our favourite 28 social media marketing training courses for marketers of any skill level. Each of these courses are more than comprehensive enough to get anyone started in social media marketing. I’ve made sure to list the price (some are FREE!), details of the course and how long each should take. Let’s get learning!
Related reading: Social Media Marketing Plan: An 11-Step Template
1. Hootsuite Academy Social Media Marketing Training
Price:
FREE
Time:
0.5 hrs
Details:
- 8 Videos
- 3 Quizzes
- 4 Texts
- 1 Download
2. SocialCreators Social Media Marketing Training
Price:
$35/month (Cancel anytime) with a 7-day Free Trial
Details:
6 courses, covering…
- Personal Brand Blueprint
- Define Your Brand Tribe
- DIY Visual Identity Kit
- Brand Storytelling Framework
- Instagram Storytellers
- Facebook Storytellers
Testimonial:
“I used Social Creators with my students and they immediately connected with the Hero’s Journey. They felt empowered to share their own heroic narrative. I’ve also used it to connect with my own online story as an writer and teacher. Kyle lays out the fundamentals of sharing your story in a creative, accessible way that I can put to work immediately.”
##3. [Social Media Marketing University](https://socialmediamarketinguniversity.com/all-access-pass)
***
**Price:**
* Monthly: $297
* Annual (With a 7-Day Free Trial): $1,497
Details:
- 13 Certificates
- Live Chat Every Weekday
- World-Class Instructors
- Award-Winning Training
- Longest-Running Social Certification
- Regular Course Updates
Testimonial:
“I found the Q&A session to be most informative as it tied what we learned with the session to practical experience. All of the session leaders were extremely enthusiastic and knowledgeable in their area of expertise! Thank you!”
##5. [SplashMedia Social Media Certification](https://www.splashmediau.com/)
***
**Price:**
Contact for Pricing
Details:
- 3-5 minute video lessons
- Courses offered: Foundations, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter, Blogging, Strategy, Instagram, Pinterest & Yelp!
- Accredited by SACS-CAS
- Taught by social media marketing professionals, not professors
##6. [Hubspot Inbound Certification](https://certification.hubspot.com/inbound-certification)
***
**Price:**
FREE
**Time:**
5 Hours
Details:
- 12 Classes
- 60 Questions
- 1 Exam
##7. [Social Media Training](https://socialmediatraining.com/social-media-training/)
***
**Price:**
FREE
**Time:**
41 – 111 minutes
Details:
- Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Twitter Training
- Industry-based Training (Financial, Health Care)
- Ethics, Compliance and Disclosure Training
##8. [Diploma in Social Media Marketing from Shaw Academy](https://www.shawacademy.com/social-media/course-details.html)
***
**Price:**
$100/month
**Time:**
8 Hours (Monday and Wednesdays from 11-Noon PST)
Details:
- Live lessons from professional social media practitioners
- Learn practical methods to drive business and engagement across various platforms
- Fully interactive bonus Q&A sessions
- Course suitable for all levels: beginners, intermediate and advanced
- Learn at your own pace with access to recordings of live classes – available 24/7
- Full support provided throughout and upon completion of the course
- Fully accredited course with Diploma available upon completion
Testimonial:
“I would highly recommend the Diploma in Social Media Marketing and Online Reputation Management for anyone who is looking to get both a great overview on how important this area is for all businesses, and also delve into some of the nitty gritty of the various platforms.”
##9. [Online Digital Marketing Training from Target Internet](https://www.targetinternet.com/online-digital-marketing-training-modules/)
***
**Price:**
A subscription to Target Internet includes unlimited access to all courses…
* $31/month if month-to-month
* $28/month if commit to 6 months (billed once)
* $25/month if commit to 12 months (billed once)
**Time:**
Contact for Details
Details:
26 courses offered including…
- Social Media Employee Policy
- Periscope
- Social Media Fundamentals
- Google+ in Perspective
- Facebook Marketing
- Twitter in Perspective
- Instagram for Business
- Ethical Social Media
Testimonial:
“Target Internet’s digital elearning course is an excellent way to enhance your digital capability, with the subject chunked up into easy to understand topics that can be tailored to your skill level.”
##10. [GCF Learn Free Social Media Marketing Training](https://www.gcflearnfree.org/topics/socialmedia/)
***
**Price:**
FREE
Details:
In this course we cover…
- Blogging basics, Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Pintersest, Skype, Snapchat, Twitter, Vine, WhatsApp, YouTube and WordPress
##11. [Instagram Marketing & Sales from Wishpond](https://learn.wishpond.com/courses/instagram-marketing-sales-course)
***
**Price:**
FREE
**Time:**
60 minutes
Details:
In this course we cover…
- The fundamentals of Instagram
- How to increase followers
- How to use Instagram to make sales for your business
##12. [How to Get Thousands of Clients Using Social Media Sweepstakes & Contests from Wishpond](https://learn.wishpond.com/courses/how-to-get-thousands-of-clients-using-sweepstakes-contests)
***
**Price:**
FREE
**Time:**
40 minutes
Details:
In this course we cover…
- 4 of our top contests to run for your business
- Our top tip to nurture leads into sales
- Plus a bonus chapter on how to promote your campaign
##13. [How to Create & Manage Facebook Ads from Wishpond](https://learn.wishpond.com/courses/how-to-create-manage-facebook-ads)
***
**Price:**
FREE
**Time:**
50 minutes
Details:
- In this course you will learn the basics to Facebook Ad creation and managing. If you are a beginner to Facebook Ads, this is a great quick crash course on everything you need to know. Facebook ads are really great for targeting your exact demographic and their interests related to your business. Use them to drive traffic to your website, landing page, or Facebook landing page to make sales, increase leads, get likes, get app downloads and more!
##14. [Social Media Marketing for Startups from Udemy](https://www.udemy.com/social-marketing/?dtcode=KGuuHcI1jNGD)
***
**Price:**
$30 (but Udemy runs a lot of sales)
**Time:**
Length 9.5 hours
Details:
- 6 Lectures
Testimonial:
“Good introductory material to Social Media Marketing. Be aware that the material is 5+ years old now but with a bit of research the topics discussed can be validated for what is happening today. Learned a lot.”
##15. [Social Media Marketing 2016 from Udemy](https://www.udemy.com/learn-social-media-marketing-course/)
***
**Price:**
$100 (but Udemy runs a lot of sales)
**Time:**
4 Hours
Details:
- 73 Lectures
- 7 Case Studies
Testimonial:
“The course so far has been thorough, siting a variety of examples. The videos are creative and interesting and the resources are useful! Thank you!”
##16. [Facebook Ads & Facebook Marketing Mastery Guide 2016 from Udemy](https://www.udemy.com/facebook-ads-facebook-marketing-mastery-guide/)
***
**Price:**
$200 (but Udemy runs a lot of sales)
**Time:**
10 Hours
Details:
- 73 Lectures
- Covers Facebook Ads
Testimonial:
“I’m only halfway through, but there’s great content here. Already the course has justified its price. I’m definitely going to check if there’s anything else from this creator.”
##17. [Facebook Marketing: A Step-by-Step to Your First 1000 Fans! from Udemy](https://www.udemy.com/facebook-pages/)
***
**Price:**
$250 (but Udemy runs a lot of sales)
**Time:**
10 Hours
Details:
- 49 Lectures
- Covers Facebook Ads
Testimonial:
“Awesome class. Definitely one I would recommend to anyone looking to figure out the complex world of facebook marketing.”
##18. [Social Media Marketing for Small Business on Lynda.com](https://www.lynda.com/Facebook-tutorials/Social-Media-Marketing-Small-Business/471976-2.html)
***
**Price:**
A subscription to Lynda.com includes unlimited access to all courses…
* $19.99 monthly for basic
* $29.99 monthly for premium – access to quizzes and offline
**Time:**
59 minutes
Details:
- Using social media to listen to customers
- Setting goals
- Crafting a social media policy and a plan
- Creating shareable content
- Measuring your social media success
##19. [Facebook for Business on Lynda.com](https://www.lynda.com/Facebook-tutorials/Facebook-Business-2016/490656-2.html)
***
**Price:**
A subscription to Lynda.com includes unlimited access to all courses…
* $19.99 monthly for basic
* $29.99 monthly for premium – access to quizzes and offline
**Time:**
2 hours and 16 minutes
Details:
- Why your business should be on Facebook
- Creating a Facebook page
- Adding a call to action
- Inviting friends and email contacts to like your page
- Paying to promote your page
- Creating engaging Facebook posts
- Creating events
- Adding ratings and reviews
- Moderating Facebook comments
- Creating a boosted post
- Creating advertisements
- Using Insights to track likes, page views, and more
##20. [Social Media Marketing with Facebook and Twitter on Lynda.com](https://www.lynda.com/Facebook-tutorials/Social-Media-Marketing-Facebook-Twitter/490093-2.html)
***
**Price:**
A subscription to Lynda.com includes unlimited access to all courses…
* $19.99 monthly for basic
* $29.99 monthly for premium – access to quizzes and offline
**Time:**
1 hour and 38 minutes
Details:
- What is social media marketing?
- Comparing Facebook and Twitter
- Creating a brand presence
- Defining your objective
- Writing tweets and using retweets
- Adding media and hashtags
- Attracting followers on different platforms
- Writing engaging Facebook posts
- Reviewing Facebook and Twitter analytics
##21. [How to Serve Customers Using Social Media on Lynda.com](https://www.lynda.com/Business-Skills-tutorials/How-Serve-Customers-Using-Social-Media/456349-2.html)
***
**Price:**
A subscription to Lynda.com includes unlimited access to all courses…
* $19.99 monthly for basic
* $29.99 monthly for premium – access to quizzes and offline
**Time:**
43 minutes
Details:
- Identifying key social media platforms
- Communicating with customers in your brand’s voice
- Listening and responding to customers on social media
- Listening to customer feedback on review sites
- Making self-service easy for customers
##22. [Fundamentals of Facebook Marketing from Online Marketing Institute](https://www.onlinemarketinginstitute.org/classes/new-releases/fundamentals-of-facebook-marketing/)
***
**Price:**
A subscription to Online Marketing Institute includes unlimited access to all courses…
* Basic: $27/month
* Pro: $47/month – includes 25% off certifications and early access
* Team: $97/month – 5 Pro Plan Subscriptions
**Time:**
27 minutes
Details:
- Facebook marketing planning fundamentals
- How to become a social business and identify influencers
- How to optimize your Facebook profile and overall brand presentation
- How to implement goals and understand your KPI’s
- How to master Facebook giveaways
##23. [Fundamentals of Social Media for SEO from Online Marketing Institute](https://www.onlinemarketinginstitute.org/classes/btob-digital/fundamentals-of-social-media-for-seo/)
***
**Price:**
A subscription to Online Marketing Institute includes unlimited access to all courses…
* Basic: $27/month
* Pro: $47/month – includes 25% off certifications and early access
Team: $97/month – 5 Pro Plan Subscriptions
**Time:**
46 minutes
Details:
- The basics of search engine optimization, plus tips for keyword research
- How your social network profiles can benefit from search optimization
- How to optimize Facebook, Twitter and more for search visibility
##24. [What Is Social Media and Why It Matters from Online Marketing Institute](https://www.onlinemarketinginstitute.org/classes/social-media-marketing-classes/introduction-what-is-social-media-and-why-it-matters/)
***
**Price:**
A subscription to Online Marketing Institute includes unlimited access to all courses…
* Basic: $27/month
* Pro: $47/month – includes 25% off certifications and early access
* Team: $97/month – 5 Pro Plan Subscriptions
**Time:**
29 minutes
Details:
- How to understand the 5 most common pitfalls of social media
- 4 unique reasons social media is better for B2B brands than for B2C brands
- Why social media matters for influencing target audiences in B2B industries
##25. [Content Marketing Strategy for Social Media from Online Marketing Institute](https://www.onlinemarketinginstitute.org/classes/content-marketing/content-marketing-strategy-for-social-media/)
***
**Price:**
A subscription to Online Marketing Institute includes unlimited access to all courses…
* Basic: $27/month
* Pro: $47/month – includes 25% off certifications and early access
* Team: $97/month – 5 Pro Plan Subscriptions
**Time:**
29 minutes
Details:
- How to make your client and prospect the center of your content
- Ways to focus on a niche with your content
- How to use stories to make your content come alive
- Three deadly content mistakes
- How to use social media to amplify your content.
##26. [Diploma in Social Media Marketing from Alison Training](https://alison.com/courses/Diploma-in-Internet-Marketing)
***
**Price:**
FREE
**Time:**
15-20 Hours
Details:
- 11 Modules
- Assessments
- 1 Final
Testimonial:
“An interesting course, some of the content is a little outdated and it could be a third of the length if the tutor did not talk so much about things unrelated to the course. But I enjoyed it and did learn some new things.”
##27. [Using Twitter from Alison Training](https://alison.com/courses/Twitter-Social-Networking)
***
**Price:**
FREE
**Time:**
1-2 Hours
Details:
- 1 Lecture
- 1 Final
Testimonial:
“Clear and concise course that will now encourage me to create a Twitter account. Would highly recommend to all non-twitter users.”
##28. [Social Networking and Viral Marketing Using Facebook from Alison Training](https://alison.com/courses/Facebook-Understanding-Social-Networking/content)
***
**Price:**
FREE
**Time:**
6-10 Hours
Details:
- 1 Lecture
- 1 Final
Testimonial:
“Great course for someone who is new to Facebook. I did pull a few new tips from the course. Overall, I give this course a 5/5! Would recommend the course but seems it is a little outdated.”
Wrapping it Up
Hopefully you’ll find that one (or a few) of these 28 social media marketing training courses can teach you need to know to succeed with social media.
If you want specific guides, check out…
Related Reading:
- The Top 30 Social Media Marketing Articles You Need to Read
- Wishpond’s State of Social Media Industry Report
- Social Media Marketing Plan
- Instagram Tools for Business
- Instagram Algorithm (7 Strategies to Employ Right Now)
- Instagram Contest Rules (Everything You Need to Know Before You Launch)
- Instagram Contest (Examples and a Complete Guide)
- 10 Examples of Social Media Marketing Done Right
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