This guide provides a list of the best online resources for learning digital marketing in 2023, both free and paid, to help individuals develop the necessary skills to become a modern digital marketing professional in a convenient and cost-effective manner.
Digital marketing: what is it?
Digital marketing involves promoting and selling products or services online through search engines, social media, and PPC advertising. It helps identify and engage with interested audiences, nurturing them into customers through interaction and nurturing.
Digital marketing includes SEO, content marketing, PPC advertising, social media marketing, affiliate marketing, video marketing, website marketing, and email marketing.
How to Receive Free Digital Marketing Training
A person must gain the abilities to deal with all online marketing technologies and the expertise to mix them for the best outcomes in order to become a successful digital marketing consultant. This hard work requires patience and perseverance, but it doesn’t require attending college or a classroom course, making it an accessible and rewarding career.
A list of the top learning resources, almost all free, has been created to help you build your skills from the comfort of your home. To learn digital marketing, you need to become an expert in the following areas:.
1. Search engine marketing
Search engine marketing (SEM) is a crucial aspect of digital marketing, involving the use of search engine optimization (SEO) or paid search advertising (Google Ads or Bing Ads). SEO is a process that helps websites rank higher in search engine organic results, driving targeted traffic. Although slower than paid ads, SEO can yield better results in the long term. SEO is constantly evolving, with Google making over 255 changes to its ranking algorithm annually. It is not difficult to learn but requires a structured approach. The SEO process is divided into three main areas: technical SEO, on-page SEO, and off-page SEO. Beginners can learn from guides to succeed in this field.
2. Content marketing
Content marketing involves identifying, creating, and promoting the right content to the right audience. To become a successful content marketer, one needs excellent writing, SEO copywriting, and analytical skills. User personas, target audiences, content types, keywords, searcher intent, people-first content, content audits, competitor analysis, content promotion, and campaign performance are key skills. Learning content marketing is an ongoing process that requires practice and trial and error. Building skills gradually is essential, with resources like this being a great starting point.
3. Inbound Marketing
Inbound marketing is a crucial aspect of digital marketing, coordinating the activities of other campaigns to provide a user experience. It involves four steps: attract, convert, engage, and delight. Successful companies can grow their customer base faster than those running isolated campaigns. A digital marketing manager’s job is to ensure all campaigns share the same goals and work towards the same targets, resulting in a more successful and efficient digital marketing strategy.
4. Social media marketing
Social media marketing is a new form of digital marketing that focuses on connecting with potential customers through various social networks, with Facebook being the most widely used. Learning about Facebook ads, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Twitter marketing is essential for aspiring marketers. Other skills include creating engaging content, setting goals, conducting market research, reporting results, using social media listening and management tools, and working with influencers.
5. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a popular online method where you earn a commission by selling other companies’ products. It can be done through promoting products on your website and social channels or setting up your own affiliate program. To learn affiliate marketing, follow steps such as understanding affiliate networks, finding products, promoting content, writing product reviews, and understanding Google affiliate links. Success depends on other marketing channels, like SEO and social media marketing.
6. Video marketing
Video marketing is a digital marketing process that uses video content to engage with online users, particularly on popular platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. It involves using various tools, running paid ads, determining audience preferences, and using YouTube SEO for organic exposure. Mastering YouTube marketing skills can be applied to other platforms.