Marketing refers to the practice of understanding what the customer needs and trying to address it while advertising is the practice of making customers aware of the product through different means. Marketing and advertising however have evolved drastically in the past decade and are no more the same as before.
The following are 25 courses that will help advertisers, marketers, students, business professionals, and professionals in the creative industries learn the two skills as they are today.
Integrated Marketing Communications: Advertising, Public Relations, Digital Marketing and more
This online course revolves around marketing communications and will help students understand the most important issues related to marketing communication strategies and its implementation. The course is a part of the Marketing Mix Specialization being offered by IE Business School and can be completed in approximately 10 hours. In this course, students will learn about Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) and the planning process and background. Students will learn how to apply theoretical knowledge of advertising management and design to the creative design process and will also learn about the different components of the marketing communications mix.
Google Ads for Beginners
This short course will help students get familiar with the basics of Google Ads Search and will help in creating campaigns to grow your customer base. This course is offered by Coursera Project Network and can be completed in 2 hours. In this course, students will learn how to create an Ad account, create campaigns, set target audiences and ad groups, track conversions, and also how to navigate through the Dashboard. The course follows a step-by-step format and the only prerequisite is to have a google account.
Online Marketing Strategies
This course will help students learn how the internet can be used for marketing purposes. The course is being offered by Curtin University and can be completed in approximately 12 weeks. The course is a part of a MicroMasters Program – Marketing in the Digital World. In this course, students will learn to work with e-marketing tools and use the traditional marketing strategies in the online context, evaluating the communication functions in a company’s internet marketing strategies. Students will study the online consumer exchange process and the outcomes. Students will understand how online marketing differs from traditional marketing and how social media can be one of the options that can be explored for online marketing.
Digital Marketing
This online course is offered in Portuguese with Portuguese subtitles. The course is an offering by the University of Sao Paulo and can be completed in approximately 15 hours. In this course, students will be introduced to digital marketing and learn about some important marketing concepts like SEO, ROI, AB test, SEM, etc. Students will also learn how to use different platforms like Facebook analytics, Google Adwords, and Email-marketing to get the most out of their digital marketing efforts.
Digital Skills: Digital Marketing
This online course will help students learn about the different tools that are available for digital marketers to use for businesses. The course is being offered by Accenture and can be completed in approximately 2 weeks. In this course, students will learn about digital marketing and how to use it to accomplish different business goals. Students will learn about search engine optimization, email marketing, display advertising, and pay-per-click advertising. Students will also learn how to integrate all these techniques to make a cohesive digital marketing plan.
Content, Advertising, and Social IMC
This online course in marketing is a part of the Social Media Specialization being offered by Northwestern University and can be completed in approximately 8 hours. In this course, students will understand why a well-thought-of plan is crucial to have a successful social marketing strategy. Students will learn about the different aspects of a social media marketing plan which includes content strategy, advertising, and integrated media communications (IMC). Towards the end of the course, students will also learn how to set and evaluate the different KPIs for their social media marketing campaigns.
Social Media Advertising
This course in social media marketing is a part of the Digital Advertising Strategy Specialization that is being offered by the University of Colorado Boulder. Over 10 hours, students will cover each of the social media platforms that can be used in a social media marketing plan and include Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Students will learn to determine the different types of social media advertising that bring results, the different types of social media ads, how to match effective social marketing parameters to different target audiences, and also how to execute different social media marketing campaigns.
Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content
This online course will help students learn how to create content that will get popular. The course is being offered by the University of Pennsylvania and can be completed in approximately 4 hours. In this course, students will learn how to create catchy content, how to create influence, how to leverage the power of social media to generate viral content, etc. Students will be able to understand how social influence shapes behavior, the power of word of mouth and social media and creating ‘sticky ideas’.
Marketing Management II
This course is a part of the Value Chain Specialization by the University of Illinois and can be completed in 15 hours. Students will learn how to create value for customers through businesses as well as the marketing mix and its components. On completion of this course, students will be able to list all the elements of the marketing mix and evaluate the role that each element plays, compare different price models, and also evaluate the different marketing channels used by businesses to reach their customers. Students will also be able to create their creative advertising pieces on completion of the course.
Digital Media and Marketing Strategies
This course is a part of the digital marketing specialization at the University of Illinois and is spread over 19 hours. In this course, students will learn how to run digital marketing campaigns and the roles that different marketing channels play in integrated marketing channels. The course will help students develop skills in mobile marketing, social media, digital marketing and planning. Students will learn how to optimize digital assets, online and video marketing, social and email marketing, and integrating all of it into a digital media marketing plan.
Marketing Mix Fundamentals
This course will help students analyze their products or services in relation to the marketing mix. The course is being offered by IE business school and can be completed in approximately 8 hours. In this course, students will evaluate each of the components of the Marketing Mix. Topics that will be covered include product and product policy, price and pricing policy, channel management, retailing, and marketing communications. The course is also a part of the Marketing Strategy Specialization offered by IE Business School.
Storytelling in Advertising
This course will help students understand the importance of storytelling in creative design and advertising to make one’s products stand out in the crowd. The course is being offered by the Global Association for Creative Advertising and Design Awards and can be completed in approximately 4 weeks. In this course, students will learn how to create narratives, communicate a brand through a story, amplifying messages through digital communication and how to engage their audience. This course will be especially useful for students already working in the creative industries.
Fundamentals of Digital Marketing, Social Media and E-commerce
This course will help students get the marketing knowledge that they need to start or develop a career in Marketing. The course is being offered by the Wharton University of Pennsylvania and can be completed in approximately 6 weeks. In this course, students will learn about social media and digital marketing and how to market one’s products and services effectively. Students will look at the real-world application of digital marketing and e-commerce methods while also understanding how to leverage new models in business and e-commerce to increase the profitability of businesses.
Strategic Self Marketing and Personal Branding
This course will help students develop skills that will help them enhance their professional image. The course is a part of the Career Brand Management Specialization being offered by The State University of New York and can be completed in approximately 11 hours. In this course, students will learn about career development and how to apply strategic planning to it. Students will learn how to manage their reputation, create their personal brand, and also how to integrate social networking into one’s career building.
Marketing Analytics
This course will help students understand how introducing analytics to their marketing initiatives can help businesses optimize their effectiveness as well as maximize their return on investment. The course is being offered by Columbia University and can be completed in approximately 12 weeks. In this course, students will learn important topics like market segmentation, demand forecasting, pricing analytics and optimization, advertising and sales promotions. Students will also learn how to calculate the customer’s lifetime value and thereby determine their loyalty towards the brand as well as the revenue that can be generated.
Marketing Design with Easil
This guided project is being offered by Coursera Project Network and is a short 2-hour course. Students will learn how to operate Easil and create designs for ads and other marketing collaterals using this simple platform. Students will learn about the different tools that Easil offers to keep track of customer purchases as well as create appealing social media posts to boost their online presence.
Forecasting Models for Marketing Decisions
This course is a part of the Foundations of Marketing Analytics Specialization being offered by Emory University. Students can complete the course in 13 hours. In this course, students will learn about the basics of forecasting models and customer analytics using which, students will learn how to predict customer behavior. Students will also learn how to manage customer equity, valuation, retention and marketing mix modeling. This course will help students understand how businesses can make well-informed business decisions and also evaluate the effectiveness of marketing decisions.
Social Media Marketing Specialization
The specialization program comprises 5 courses that will help students learn how they can establish their social brand. The specialization is being offered by Northwestern University and can be completed in approximately 7 months. Students can also enroll in each of these courses individually. Right from introduction to social and the importance of listening, students will learn about several social media strategies and techniques, advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications. The program ends with a capstone project where students can apply their learnings and gain practical experience.
Marketing Analytics: Data Tools and Techniques
This course will help students learn how to analyze customer data to make effective marketing decisions for businesses. The course is being offered by the Wharton University of Pennsylvania and can be completed in approximately 6 weeks. In this course, students will learn several concepts like regression analysis, conjoint analysis, and social media analytics. Students will also learn different market research techniques that will help them understand the market they are in and cater to them specifically.
Persuasive Communication: What Makes Messages Persuasive?
In this course, students will learn what comprises persuasive communication and how to craft persuasive messages for their PR, advertising and marketing functions. The course is being offered by Purdue University and can be completed in 3 weeks. Students will learn about strategic communication, persuasive messages and campaigns, tailoring messages to specific audiences and what makes messages more impactful. This course is ideal for anyone pursuing a Masters in communication or even advertising and marketing.
Strategic Brand Management
This online course will help students understand and analyze the factors that contribute to brand equity while also gaining a better subject of the subject itself. The course is being offered by Curtin University and can be completed in approximately 12 weeks. In this course, students will learn how to create brand positioning and values, implementing brand marketing programs and how to evaluate brand equity management systems. Students will also learn how to measure brand resonance, the different brand elements, the brand value chain and how to design as well as implement brand architecture strategies.
Marketing Your Android Apps
This course is designed for those who would like to generate more users for their apps or monetize it by marketing their app. The course is being offered by Galileo University and can be completed in approximately 5 weeks. In this course, students will learn how to place ads within the application, how to display banner and interstitial ads in apps as well as how to publish their applications. Students will also learn how to keep their user base engaged, licensing of their applications and how to improve user experience on the app.
Quantitative Marketing Research
This online course will help students learn how to design quantitative research projects, how to implement specific methods and analyze data to come up with marketing decisions. The course is being offered by the Indian Institute of Management, Bengaluru and can be completed in approximately 5 weeks. In this course, students will learn about different topics like the concept of value and willingness to pay, the marketing design process, segmentation using cluster analysis, etc. Students will also learn about ethical issues in marketing research.
Marketing Mix Implementation Specialization
This course will help students analyze their products in terms of each of the factors of the marketing mix. Students will learn about pricing, communication, product management, marketing, brand architecture, pricing strategies, retail management as well as the supply chain in this specialization. The program is being offered by IE Business School and can be completed in approximately 6 months. Right from brand and project management to pricing strategies and integrated marketing communications, this course will cover all aspects of the marketing mix and its effective implementation.
Digital Advertising Strategy Specialization
This program looks at digital marketing strategies that are applicable and effective for small businesses. The specialization is being offered by the University of Colorado Boulder and can be completed in approximately 5 months. Students can also take up the individual courses that are included in this specialization. In this program, students will learn about the major advertising platforms, ad performance metrics and creating digital campaigns using different platforms. Students will also earn the Google Ad Search Certification and develop skills of native advertising, search advertising, Facebook advertising as well as twitter advertising.
The language of instruction of these courses is English unless mentioned otherwise. Most of these courses can be taken up for free but for a professional certificate, a fee may be applicable. For some courses, financial aid might also be available.