Making the right choice in 2024: Free Vs. Paid Digital Marketing Courses
Updated: Jan 2
Photo: Free vs Paid Digital Marketing Course, 2024 Treadon Media
Digital Marketing has become a fascinating venture, and many have paved their path in this field. As we near the end of 2023, it is clear that digital marketing has significantly impacted the marketing techniques businesses use.
Previously, the focus was primarily on physical marketing methods such as flyers, banners, and newspaper or magazine ads. However, nowadays, the entire concept has changed, and businesses are now focusing on social media marketing, showcasing their products or services on their websites, and advertising in e-magazines or newspapers.
In today's digital age, social media has become integral to our daily lives. However, it is hard to overlook that ads are always present on these platforms. The moment we show interest in any product, we are overwhelmed with ads for those products, whether browsing through Facebook, Instagram or Google. These ads are so targeted that they follow us around the web, urging us to purchase the items we had previously considered.
This results from programmatic advertising, which employs algorithms and online behaviour. Based on the user behaviour and interests, display the relevant ads.
Digital marketing has recently brought a substantial change in how businesses are promoting their products and services. The conventional approach of relying solely on physical ads has been replaced by innovative digital campaigns that have proven to be much more effective.
Nowadays, people are more inclined towards spending time on their mobile devices, and therefore, businesses must make themselves visible in the digital world to succeed. By embracing digital marketing, businesses can create more personalised campaigns that are more likely to attract potential customers and generate leads.
Photo: Decision either to take a free or paid digital marketing course
The Dilemma: Free or Paid Course?
Let's list down some free courses first:
LinkedIn Learning: Discover a wealth of valuable insights directly from seasoned industry professionals. These invaluable knowledge nuggets have been expertly distilled into practical and actionable advice, perfect for anyone looking to gain real-world experience and advance their career.
Google's Digital Garage: The dynamic world of online marketing is complex and overwhelming, making it difficult for beginners to know where to start. That's where this comprehensive guide comes in - it offers a step-by-step journey through the ABCs of digital marketing, gradually building up to more advanced concepts. Whether you're looking to promote your business online or simply want to learn more about this exciting field, this guide is the go-to resource for anyone looking to delve into digital marketing.
My Great Learning (Hindi): This platform is a game-changer in the world of digital marketing education. Recognising the language barrier as a significant hindrance for many, the platform has decided to offer courses in Hindi - one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. By doing so, the platform has opened up a whole new world of learning opportunities for individuals who could not access digital marketing courses due to language limitations.
Udemy (Hindi): Udemy is a well-recognised e-learning platform that offers credible courses in various fields, including digital marketing. To cater to the diverse demands or needs of Indian users, Udemy provides courses in Hindi, which provides a flexible and convenient learning experience.
Here is the list of paid courses:
Udemy (English): A platform offering a myriad of courses. Ideal for those seeking specialised knowledge tailored to specific industries. You can learn quickly and achieve your professional goals with a user-friendly interface and expert-led courses.
Coursera: Coursera is a popular platform that offers structured courses with certifications, which can be a valuable asset for those advancing in their career. Completing a digital marketing course on Coursera can earn you a certification to add to your CV, making your resume more credible.
Springboard: At Springboard, you can expect to receive an immersive and structured learning experience with the help of a supportive community. Our program is designed to provide you with personalised mentorship and guidance every step of the way, ensuring that you have all the resources you need to succeed.
Simplilearn: Simplilearn being an online learning platform offers a unique blend of self-paced learning and instructor-led sessions which cater for the diverse needs of individuals who are seeking a great learning experience.
The platform provides a flexible learning experience, enabling learners to choose the pace of their learning and the learning style that suits them the most.
Photo: Choosing the right digital marketing course
Choosing the Right Course: Considerations for 2024
While considering the right course, I first realised how important it is to connect with the trainer to understand the concept better. I have taken a LinkedIn learning course for content writing, and I learned a lot more from the free courses than from the Henry Harvey paid course, which was also good, but I could not connect with it and understand the concepts easily.
So, if you think the free courses are not better than paid courses, you might be wrong.
Let's dive into what can be considered while choosing the right digital marketing course:
Duration: Tailor your choice to your schedule, whether you prefer a quick dive or a more extended exploration. Taking notice of the course's duration is essential because you don't want to lose motivation in the middle of the course. So, if you plan to go through the course fast, then it is better to take the course of less duration, and if you want to go in depth of the topic, like content marketing and social media management, etc., then you should select the course with more duration.
Free vs. Paid: Dip your toes into free courses if you're testing the waters. Commit to paid courses for a more profound, committed learning experience.
What You Get: Assess if the course helps you build a digital marketing portfolio or provides a relevant certificate in the job market.
Quality of Content: Ensure the course is updated and the providers are credible. The digital realm evolves swiftly; your learning materials should keep pace.
Photo: Digital marketing, social media marketing, content marketing, SEO optimization
As you navigate the countless options available, it is important to remember that the final decision lies solely with you, and it shouldn't be influenced by YouTube influencers. Instead, use the vast resources on YouTube to broaden your understanding and stay up-to-date with the ever-evolving digital world. These steps will help you select the course that best aligns with your aspirations and objectives.
Here's to a year of growth, learning, and staying ahead in the world of online marketing and advertising.
Are you pursuing any digital marketing courses? Or are you considering taking up a digital marketing course? If yes, we would appreciate your sharing your thoughts and insights on this topic. Your valuable input would help us understand the importance and benefits of taking up a digital marketing course in today's world.
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