I like that I can be taught any talent, at any time because of the web. As somebody who’s labored in content material for almost a decade, I do know firsthand how vital it’s to remain forward of social media tendencies — platforms evolve, algorithms shift, and what labored final 12 months won’t work in the present day.
That’s why I’m at all times looking out for the perfect social media advertising and marketing programs. Not only for myself, however for anybody seeking to stage up their expertise, land a brand new job, or develop a enterprise on-line. Whether or not you’re simply beginning out or already managing social media for a model, there’s at all times one thing new to be taught.
With so many choices on the market, which social media programs are literally value your time? I’ve accomplished the analysis and rounded up the perfect free and paid social media programs that can assist you sharpen your expertise and grasp your technique.
Desk of Contents
The State of Social Media in 2025
Earlier than I get into among the programs, I need to offer you an outline of the most important tendencies and adjustments occurring within the social media {industry}. One factor is evident: Issues are altering quickly, and it’s worthwhile to keep in your toes to maintain up. (Anybody who’s labored as a social media supervisor is aware of what I imply.)
I dove into HubSpot’s 2025 State of Marketing to share extra about the important thing drivers for social media entrepreneurs (SMMs) and what areas and talent units are going to be most dear.
- The highest precedence for recruiting advertising and marketing roles in 2025 are all in social: Social Media Coordinator, Content material Creator, and Social Media Strategist.
- The period of passive, one-size-fits-all advertising and marketing is over. Profitable manufacturers in 2025 would be the ones that actively hear, adapt, and have interaction with their audiences in actual time.
- For B2B manufacturers, the highest advertising and marketing channels leading to ROI in 2024 have been 1) web site, weblog, and search engine optimization, 2) paid social media content material, and three) social media procuring instruments.
- For B2C manufacturers, the channels with the perfect ROI have been 1) e-mail advertising and marketing, 2) paid social media content material, and three) content material advertising and marketing.
- For each B2B and B2C manufacturers, the highest performing content material format on social in 2024 was short-form video.
So there’s by no means been a greater time to start out — or stage up — your social media profession.
And if you wish to save time and get extra environment friendly relating to your social media technique, strive our suite of social tools. You may publish content material, monitor engagement, and analyze your efficiency multi function place.
Try HubSpot’s social media management software for free.
Social Media Coaching Programs For Novices
I bear in mind the primary time I hit “publish” on a social media publish for a shopper. I used to be a public relations pupil with an internship the place I used to be mainly the one member of the advertising and marketing workforce. Fairly a welcome to the {industry}.
That was ten years in the past, however I nonetheless bear in mind the victorious feeling of pulling off my first social media advertising and marketing campaigns at that internship.
Rather a lot has modified, however I’m nonetheless studying — and all social media professionals are nonetheless on this studying journey with you. That’s why I’m so excited so that you can begin studying in the present day.
Many of those programs are utterly free and provide an industry-recognized certification. Let’s leap into find out how to construct an efficient social media technique with these newbie programs.
1. Social Media Certification by HubSpot
Creator: HubSpot
Platform: HubSpot Academy
Value: Free
Ability Stage: Intermediate
One-Sentence Abstract: Discover ways to create an inbound social media advertising and marketing technique.
HubSpot’s social media certification course is a sturdy program designed that can assist you entice clients and companions, and construct model loyalty. As a result of social media is the important thing to inbound advertising and marketing, this course ties within the two ideas seamlessly.
I like that this course is versatile sufficient so that you could work on it in your time. It covers important subjects comparable to measuring ROI, extending attain, social media content material creation, and social listening.
You may also choose to take particular classes inside the HubSpot Academy course — for example, this one on Social Media Advertising.
HubSpot additionally has an extremely easy-to-use social media management tool that may allow you to set all of those concepts in movement.
You’ll be taught:
- develop a social media advertising and marketing technique to generate model consciousness for your enterprise.
- use social media listening to seek out out what works finest on your followers.
- prolong your attain on social and leverage influencers to draw new audiences.
- get probably the most out of your social media investments.
Advisable for:
As a result of this course instantly jumps into social media technique, I like to recommend it for brand new social media advertising and marketing managers who’ve lately been promoted from a junior-level position. Some prior expertise in social media is beneficial.
2. Social Media Specialization by Northwestern College
Creator: Northwestern College
Platform: Coursera
Value: Free
Ability Stage: Newbie
One-Sentence Abstract: Be taught every thing it’s worthwhile to get began in social media advertising and marketing.
Coursera is a good academic useful resource for rookies and people who are new to the world of social media advertising and marketing.
This course by Northwestern College teaches you the social methods it’s worthwhile to develop your attain and develop your followers. It touches upon social listening and lead nurturing, which most different programs don’t contact upon.
That is vital as a result of lead nurturing is usually related to e-mail advertising and marketing, nevertheless it will also be accomplished (and needs to be accomplished) over social media.
You’ll be taught:
- What social media is.
- Why it’s worthwhile to create a social listening technique.
- implement nurturing methods in your social media advertising and marketing.
Advisable for:
Due to its give attention to lead nurturing and its foundational modules, I like to recommend this course for non-marketing professionals and early-stage founders who’re desirous about beginning a social media technique to develop their buyer base.
3. Social Media Marketing Course by Acadium
Creator: Acadium
Platform: Acadium
Value: Free
Ability Stage: Newbie
One-Sentence Abstract: Get a full understanding of social media advertising and marketing whereas growing real-world expertise in an apprenticeship.
Acadium is an apprenticeship and mentorship program — there are a selection of classes inside the social media advertising and marketing course which you can take earlier than, after, or throughout your apprenticeship.
The programs provided cowl an array of social media advertising and marketing subjects, together with find out how to arrange profiles in your chosen platforms and find out how to save time as you scale your social media efforts.
You’ll be taught:
- get began with the preferred social media platforms, together with Fb, X, and Instagram.
- publish posts.
- stand out out of your rivals.
Advisable for:
I like to recommend this course for true rookies who not solely want a basis of social media advertising and marketing usually, but in addition mentorship from Acadium’s group of mentors. As a result of it presents extremely fundamental data, I don’t advocate it for present entrepreneurs or social media managers.
4. Social Media Marketing Foundations by Brian Honigman
Creator: Brian Honigman
Platform: LinkedIn Studying
Value: Free
Ability Stage: Newbie
One-Sentence Abstract: Be taught the foundations of social media advertising and marketing, with a give attention to viewers focusing on and business-to-customer interplay.
This foundational course by Brian Honigman, a advertising and marketing marketing consultant, presents related content material to the opposite beginner-level programs on this checklist, with a particular give attention to interacting with clients via your enterprise’s most well-liked social networks.
It additionally contains instruction on utilizing social media for gross sales and experimenting together with your methods.
You’ll be taught:
- What social media advertising and marketing is.
- use social media for buyer interactions.
- attribute metrics to enterprise outcomes.
Advisable for:
I like to recommend this course for advertising and marketing professionals, salespeople, and repair professionals who need to take a customer-centric strategy to your organization’s social media technique.
5. Social Media Marketing by The Open College
Creator: The Open College
Platform: The Open College
Value: £200.00 (roughly $250)
Ability Stage: Newbie
One-Sentence Abstract: Be taught to create partaking content material for social media that may assist your model obtain its advertising and marketing objectives.
This can be a paid course that lets you be taught at your personal tempo whereas nonetheless interacting with co-learners.
The primary module covers big-picture subjects like person journey mapping and deceptive information, which is a novel focus for a newbie course.
One of many factors of this on-line course is “What differentiates nice social media?”
The eagerness and experience actually shine via to me on this course.
You’ll be taught:
- map the person journey.
- Drawbacks and dangers to totally different social media platforms.
- What separates nice social media content material from simply good content material.
Advisable for:
Given how a lot materials this course covers, social media managers or new social media workforce members may actually profit from this coaching.
6. Social Media Marketing by Nice Studying
Creator: Nice Studying
Platform: Nice Studying
Value: Free
Ability Stage: Newbie
One-Sentence Abstract: Discover the potential that neighborhood and model advocates have in your social technique.
Beginning with the fundamentals, this course rapidly ramps as much as focus on the extra sophisticated facet of social media, comparable to storytelling, cross-channel campaigns, and leveraging chatbots.
I like that this course additionally touches on neighborhood administration and dealing with model advocates to raise your social media presence.
You may be taught:
- Planning and content material publishing.
- Fundamentals of promoting and marketing campaign monitoring.
- Fundamentals of fostering neighborhood.
Advisable for:
With 1.5 hours of coaching, I believe this can be a nice newbie course for anybody who must dip their ft within the social media world however isn’t instantly growing and executing their very own technique.
7. Social Media Marketing in Practice Specialization by the Digital Advertising and marketing Institute Creator: Digital Advertising and marketing Institute
Creator: Digital Advertising and marketing Institute
Platform: Coursera
Value: Free
Ability Stage: Newbie
One-Sentence Abstract: Perceive what content material stands out on social and find out how to get your viewers to have interaction.
The primary half of this social media coaching focuses on the basics and growing a content material technique. Then, the course dives into particular person platforms. It covers Fb, Instagram, Snapchat, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
With an emphasis on breaking via the noise, storytelling, and constructing relationships with viewers, this course helps viewers craft social media posts that additional their general advertising and marketing plan.
You’ll be taught:
- How person conduct is altering, and the way entrepreneurs can adapt to fulfill customers the place they’re.
- Particular alternatives and challenges of particular person platforms.
- use the client’s journey to create content material that influences viewers.
Advisable for:
Budding digital entrepreneurs who need platform deep-dives earlier than committing to a particular social channel.
Social Media Administration Coaching For Mid-Profession Professionals
I’ve accomplished social media for native authorities workplaces, nation-wide organizations just like the American Pink Cross, and numerous shoppers.
One factor I’m positive of? Platforms won’t ever cease altering, and I’ll by no means be accomplished studying and bettering my expertise. Social media coaching is supposed for professionals in any respect ranges, not simply newbies.
Particularly because the job of a complete social media workforce is usually given to at least one particular person in under-staffed organizations. Digital entrepreneurs must repeatedly upskill simply to maintain up.
With these sources, you are able to do so from residence and infrequently without cost. Let’s dive into these sources.
8. PPC University by WordStream
Creator: WordStream
Platform: WordStream
Value: Free
Ability Stage: Intermediate
One-Sentence Abstract: Study social adverts on the most important platforms together with Instagram, Fb, YouTube, Snapchat, Tik Tok, and LinkedIn.
WordStream presents the required academic sources to develop a robust understanding of social media commercials, together with platforms like Instagram, Fb, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
I like how there’s additionally details about why and find out how to promote on social media, in addition to schooling about finest practices whereas promoting throughout these platforms.
Lastly, you’ll study social media advert metrics and social procuring — this manner, you’ll be able to successfully measure your success in addition to attain your viewers when and the place they’re able to make a purchase order.
You’ll be taught:
- get began with pay-per-click advertising and marketing throughout all kinds of platforms, together with social media.
- create a social advert technique on your most well-liked platform(s).
- Why it is best to spend money on social media adverts.
- measure your success with advert metrics.
Advisable for:
I like to recommend this course for social media advertising and marketing managers who’re desirous about launching a paid adverts technique on social media.
I believe it’s additionally an amazing match for you in the event you choose to be taught at your personal tempo by studying written guides (versus watching movies).
9. Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Professional Certificate by Google
Creator: Google Profession Certificates
Platform: Coursera
Value: Free
Ability Stage: Intermediate
One-Sentence Abstract: Discover ways to go from having no digital advertising and marketing presence to constructing a loyal buyer base on-line.
This course could also be labeled “newbie” on Coursera, however I’ve listed it within the intermediate class because of its depth and breadth.
With greater than 150 hours of coaching supplies, Google’s coaching course of takes college students from zero expertise to producing leads, analyzing information, making gross sales, and fostering buyer loyalty on-line.
For context: When you spend ten hours every week working via this coaching, it should take you greater than six months to finish. Profitable college students will get a complete understanding of growing a profitable social media technique.
You’ll be taught:
- create partaking content material that turns “likes” into leads.
- What social analytics to make use of to construct a loyal buyer base.
- construct long-lasting relationships with viewers.
Advisable for:
This social media coaching goes approach past social media alone. I believe it’s very best for anybody who’s answerable for being a one-person advertising and marketing workforce.
10. Advanced Content and Social Tactics to Optimize SEO by the College of California, Davis
Creator: College of California, Davis
Platform: Coursera
Value: Free
Ability Stage: Intermediate
One-Sentence Abstract: Be taught concerning the extra advanced facet of social media advertising and marketing, like influencer advertising and marketing and superior content material methods.
Influencers stay on social media, however partaking with them isn’t a newbie’s initiative. When you’re able to make the leap, this course teaches you find out how to construct profitable relationships with influencers.
Moreover, it teaches extra superior content material methods that assist additional your search engine optimization efforts and enhance web site site visitors. Together with video coaching, I like that this course additionally comes with dialogue prompts and assignments to assist college students perceive the fabric. For me, I solely totally be taught a brand new idea by doing it, not simply listening to about it.
You’ll be taught:
- What potential social media has for driving web site site visitors.
- How influencers can bolster an organization’s on-line visibility at the side of different social initiatives.
- Perceive your target market on a deeper stage.
Advisable for:
Entrepreneurs who’re able to work with influencers and develop web site site visitors.
11. Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content by the College of Pennsylvania
Creator: College of Pennsylvania
Platform: Coursera
Value: Free
Ability Stage: Intermediate
One-Sentence Abstract: Perceive viral content material and how one can leverage predictable patterns in your personal social technique.
“Why did THAT publish go so viral?!” It’s a thought each digital marketer has had, together with myself. Now we are able to lastly get some solutions on this course by the College of Pennsylvania.
The course description shares that word-of-mouth data is 10x as efficient as typical promoting, and course Module 3 explains how entrepreneurs can achieve affect to enhance model visibility.
You’’ll be taught:
- The psychology behind social networks and the way they unfold on social media.
- What all viral concepts have in frequent.
- The facility of phrase of mouth, and find out how to harness this in your social media technique.
Advisable for:
Manufacturers who’ve their target market, provide, and funnel found out, and are prepared for the (LOTS of) eyeballs.
Social Media Advertising and marketing Coaching For Entrepreneurs
Within the age of personal branding, we’re all entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurs take this on in a proper capability once they’re in control of their very own enterprise technique.
Whether or not you’re focusing on one particular social media platform otherwise you need to mobilize your whole social media accounts to assist unfold your message, these programs will assist.
12. Online Advertising & Social Media by the College of Maryland
Creator: College of Maryland
Platform: edX
Value: Free
Ability Stage: Intermediate
One-Sentence Abstract: Study internet advertising, sentiment evaluation, and social community evaluation.
On edX, you’ll be able to choose courses that fit your pursuits and save courses to consult with later. There are a number of enterprise subjects you’ll be able to take courses on.
This course from the College of Maryland focuses on internet advertising, and particularly on social media promoting. Plus, it contains instruction on information evaluation so that you could make knowledgeable choices when refining your social technique over time.
You’ll be taught:
- Which platforms you’ll be able to promote on.
- measure the success of your campaigns.
- analyze your chosen social media networks.
- delve into Huge Knowledge on your social efforts.
Advisable for:
I like to recommend this course for social media entrepreneurs who’d prefer to launch an promoting technique. As well as, I like to recommend it for brand new social media analysts who want a robust basis in social information evaluation.
13. Fundamentals of Digital Marketing, Social Media, and E-Commerce by The Wharton College
Creator: The Wharton College, College of Pennsylvania
Platform: edX
Value: $585
Ability Stage: Intermediate
One-Sentence Abstract: Advertising and marketing course designed for enterprise professionals.
Wharton’s course is taken into account an intermediate dive into the intersection of digital advertising and marketing, social media advertising and marketing, and ecommerce. It’s a self-paced, six-week class that requires three hours of your time every week.
This course is structured particularly for advertising and marketing professionals, small enterprise homeowners, and customers who need to know social media methods. You’ll learn to produce advertising and marketing campaigns which can be efficient for your enterprise.
Observe: This course is obtainable in stay cohorts. You’ll want to attend for enrollment to open.
You’ll be taught:
- use demographics and behaviors to create a digital technique.
- work together with clients and potential patrons throughout a number of channels.
- leverage instruments and ways to power-up your digital advertising and marketing.
- delve into new media platforms, together with social media.
Advisable for:
Whereas this can be a foundational course, I like to recommend it for skilled enterprise professionals who’d prefer to develop their talent set to incorporate advertising and marketing expertise and ways.
14. The Strategy of Content Marketing by College of California, Davis
Creator: College of California, Davis
Platform: Coursera
Value: Free
Ability Stage: Intermediate
One-Sentence Abstract: Be taught concerning the energy of integrating your content material advertising and marketing and social media advertising and marketing methods.
Social media advertising and marketing is a sort of content material advertising and marketing, and this course can assist you weave each right into a extra complete technique.
On this on-line class provided by the College of California, Davis, you’ll learn to create a content material advertising and marketing technique and develop an understanding of the ecosystem surrounding that technique.
Ample time may even be spent engaged on strategic writing and framing.
You’ll evaluation the various kinds of content material advertising and marketing, together with how they’re integral to social media advertising and marketing. There are 5 weeks value of fabric paired with movies, workouts, readings, and quizzes.
You’ll be taught:
- What the content material advertising and marketing ecosystem is.
- use the “7A Framework” to power-up your content material.
- tailor your content material to every part of the client’s journey.
Advisable for:
I like to recommend this course for social media entrepreneurs who’d prefer to strategy social media advertising and marketing with a content-centric perspective.
15. Social Media Marketing Masterclass by Mark Timberlake and Philomena Timberlake
Creator: Mark Timberlake and Philomena Timberlake
Platform: Udemy
Value: $129.99 one-time charge or $16.58/mo
Ability Stage: Newbie
One-Sentence Abstract: Discover ways to construct a social media advertising and marketing technique and schedule on your distinctive enterprise.
Slightly than an entire stage one course in social media, I like that this providing is a masterclass on the topic, uniquely centered round moral digital advertising and marketing methods.
You’ll learn to arrange a strong advertising and marketing technique and a schedule that aligns with carrying out enterprise objectives.
You’ll additionally dive into how social media advertising and marketing integrates with your enterprise, e-mail advertising and marketing, and constructing an internet neighborhood. This course might be accomplished in 20 hours, and offers you a certificates of completion at its finish.
You’ll be taught:
- create actionable content material in your web site and social media.
- leverage social media communities to extend model consciousness.
- Which social media platforms you should utilize to market your enterprise.
- use your cellphone for social media images.
Advisable for:
This masterclass doesn’t cowl simply social media advertising and marketing, however search engine optimization and running a blog. For that purpose, I like to recommend it for brand new entrepreneurs who’d prefer to develop their talent set as they dive into their new position.
16. Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate by Meta
Creator: Meta (Fb)
Platform: Coursera
Value: Free
Ability Stage: Newbie
One-Sentence Abstract: Study social media advertising and marketing and promoting methods from Meta.
Meta’s social media advertising and marketing certificates contains the necessities it’s worthwhile to jumpstart your social media advertising and marketing data, with added coursework on promoting.
It additionally presents a Meta-centric strategy, so if you recognize you’d prefer to promote on Fb and Instagram, that is the precise course for you.
You’ll be taught:
- create a social media administration technique.
- start social media promoting on Meta’s platforms.
- measure the outcomes out of your efforts.
Advisable for:
I like to recommend this course for professionals who need to get foundational data in social media advertising and marketing and who know they’ll be investing into Meta’s social media platforms.
Discover Your Ultimate Social Media Advertising and marketing Course
Which social media coaching course appeals to you probably the most? It’s superb to me what number of free programs are at our fingertips (with no graded assignments or concern of not understanding the reply).
The largest factor I’ve discovered in my profession is that investing in my schooling and studying new expertise will at all times at all times repay. So in the event you’re eager to be taught extra about up-to-date methods that allow you to stand out from different social media entrepreneurs and allow you to propel your profession, I like to recommend doing the identical.
Editor’s word: This publish was initially revealed in November 2019 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.
