Go back to school: free and affordable trainings to elevate your marketing skills

Trends
Aug 3
/
9 min read
Whether you're a seasoned marketing professional or just dipping your toes into the marketing world, there's always room to expand your skills. And with the plethora of free and affordable resources at your disposal, elevating your marketing game has never been easier or more cost-effective.
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We’re here to share our treasure trove of resources, and while we're at it, let's give special attention to some email marketing gems too.

Back to Marketing Basics

A strong understanding of the marketing basics provides the foundation to build and hone your skills. Here, at the intersection of education and application, one starts to unravel the secrets of successful marketing. Let's explore some free resources where you can begin your journey or revisit these fundamentals.

Content Marketing Institute’s Blog and Resource Library

The Content Marketing Institute (CMI) is a valuable free resource for marketers looking to excel in content marketing. CMI offers a wealth of educational material, including articles, guides, webinars, and e-books. Marketers can learn about content strategy, creation, distribution, and measurement from industry experts. CMI's blog and resource library are excellent starting points for marketers seeking to enhance their content marketing skills.

Neil Patel YouTube Channel

Next up, make sure to check out Neil Patel's YouTube channel. Patel is a marketing guru who is globally recognized for his expertise in digital marketing. His channel provides easy-to-digest videos on various topics, from SEO fundamentals to intricate conversion optimization strategies.

Patel's conversational and engaging delivery makes even complex concepts accessible and understandable. The beauty of learning from Patel is that you get the theoretical aspect of marketing and insights from his wealth of experience. His actionable tips and real-world examples bring the marketing world alive, offering a blend of education and inspiration.

So, whether you're starting from scratch or seeking to deepen your understanding, these resources provide a solid and accessible grounding in marketing basics.

Remember, all experts were once beginners. Revisiting the basics can often yield fresh insights, even for seasoned marketers!

HubSpot’s Marketing Blog

An excellent place to start is HubSpot's marketing blog. HubSpot is a leading authority in the marketing world, and its blog is filled with knowledge.

HubSpot offers a wide range of free online marketing courses that cover crucial topics like inbound marketing, content creation, and social media strategy. What sets these courses apart is the way they blend theory with practical application, allowing you to put your new-found knowledge to use immediately. 

The courses cater to a broad audience - from newbies stepping into the marketing world to experienced marketers looking for a quick refresher or exploring a new area. Each course concludes with a certification you can display on your LinkedIn profile. This is an excellent way to showcase your dedication to expanding your marketing expertise.

HubSpot also has a really useful blog post on 40+ Best Free Online Marketing Classes to Take in 2023 including courses from other companies and educators.

Google Digital Garage 

Google Digital Garage is an online training platform that offers free courses on various digital marketing topics. From SEO to paid advertising and analytics, these courses provide valuable insights into Google's marketing tools and strategies. 

Upon completion, participants receive a certification from Google, which can add credibility to their marketing credentials.

MOZ Academy 

For marketers focusing on SEO and inbound marketing, MOZ Academy is a valuable resource. MOZ offers a comprehensive selection of free courses that cover SEO fundamentals, link building, keyword research, and more. The academy provides actionable insights and best practices to help marketers improve their website's visibility and organic traffic.

Affordable Training Options

In the ever-evolving marketing world, continual learning isn’t just an advantage. It’s a necessity. Investing in your knowledge improves your skill set and boosts your professional credibility. And luckily, enhancing your marketing prowess doesn't need to come with a hefty price tag.

Let's discuss two platforms, Udemy and Coursera, known for their high-quality, affordable training. 

Udemy

Udemy is a marketplace for learning and instruction. With over 130,000 courses offered in various languages, the platform is a trove of information for marketers eager to expand their skill sets. The courses here range from broad overviews of marketing principles to deep dives into specific strategies like SEO, social media management, content marketing, and more. 

The beauty of Udemy lies in its approach to learning. You can learn at your own pace, with lifetime access to the courses you've purchased. This flexibility allows you to revisit the material whenever you want—a luxury rarely found in traditional educational settings. 

Also, many courses include interactive elements like quizzes, exercises, and projects that enable you to apply the theories you’ve learned.

Coursera

On the other hand, Coursera collaborates with leading universities and companies to offer a broad spectrum of courses, specializations, and degrees. Their marketing offerings range from beginner-level courses to advanced specializations, providing a comprehensive learning pathway. If you’re considering a more structured approach to learning, Coursera's multi-part programs might be the perfect fit. 

Importantly, Coursera’s model promotes deep engagement with the material, incorporating graded assignments, discussion forums, and peer reviews. This facilitates better comprehension and application of the material and fosters a sense of community among learners.

Affordable training from platforms like Udemy and Coursera can provide a wealth of benefits for aspiring and seasoned marketers. Regardless of where you are in your marketing journey, these platforms offer a broad, flexible, and interactive learning experience without breaking the bank.

LinkedIn Learning 

Staying ahead of the curve in the ever-changing digital landscape means constant upskilling. For marketers, this could mean mastering the latest SEO strategies, understanding advanced analytics, or perfecting email marketing campaigns.

That's where LinkedIn Learning comes in, offering diverse courses to meet every marketer's needs. LinkedIn Learning is an online educational platform that provides video courses taught by industry experts in software, creative, and business skills.

LinkedIn Learning’s standout feature is the personalized course recommendations driven by LinkedIn's rich professional data. This means the platform serves up courses that align with your current skills and interests and those that could elevate your career to the next level.

For marketing professionals, LinkedIn Learning hosts an expansive library of courses covering the entire marketing spectrum. These courses range from mastering the basics of digital marketing to specialized topics such as email design, content creation, and SEO. 

But the true power of LinkedIn Learning lies in its focus on results. Each course includes quizzes and practical projects designed to reinforce learning and implement your new skills. Plus, every course you complete comes with a LinkedIn certificate that can be added to your profile, boosting your professional credibility.

Plus, LinkedIn Learning offers a one-month free trial, allowing you to explore the platform and its offerings. So whether you're a marketing novice seeking to establish a strong foundation or a seasoned professional aiming to stay current, LinkedIn Learning is a comprehensive, results-driven resource to augment your marketing expertise. It's more than just learning—it's about applying, achieving, and advancing in your marketing career.

Embracing the Power of Email Marketing

Despite the growing popularity of social media platforms and other digital marketing channels, email marketing is one of the most effective ways to reach and engage your audience.

The keys to unlocking the potential of email marketing lie in mastering three main areas: compelling content, impactful design, and optimal deliverability. 

Let's delve into how our team at Cakemail can help you finesse these aspects. To begin, there's no substitute for immersive learning. And what better way than by attending live events and webinars? 

Enter our Cakemail Events and Webinars page - a dedicated hub that provides a range of webinars, workshops, and events, all designed to boost your email marketing knowledge. Each event is structured to target specific areas of email marketing, whether it be creating engaging content, crafting eye-catching designs, or improving deliverability. 

Our experts at Cakemail guide you step-by-step, from understanding the basics to implementing advanced strategies, helping marketers of all levels. 

But what if you can't attend these events live? No problem! Cakemail's YouTube channel is home to a collection of helpful marketing videos. You can delve into a specific topic at your own pace and revisit the content later for a refresher. 

Indeed, email marketing is a multi-layered discipline. Mastering content creation and design are crucial, but ensuring deliverability is equally essential. By leveraging our resources, you're equipping yourself with the tools and knowledge to harness the full power of email marketing. So, get ready to embark on this exciting journey and make your emails shine brighter than ever!

Stay Informed

In the dynamic world of marketing, change is the only constant. Trends shift, technologies advance, and strategies evolve at breakneck speed. As such, staying informed and up-to-date with the latest developments isn't merely an advantage—it's a necessity. 

Newsletters are curated nuggets of information tailored to provide valuable insights to your inbox. In the context of email marketing, Cakemail's Interactions newsletter stands out as a rich and relevant source of information. 

The Interactions newsletter is a monthly digest that packs a punch. It’s meticulously curated to deliver a mix of the latest email marketing trends, strategies, tips, and resources. Every issue provides a fresh perspective on email marketing, whether you're looking to optimize your existing campaigns, explore new tactics, or keep up with industry news. 

Each newsletter offers more than just articles—it brings a learning experience. And the best part? This wealth of information comes to you. No need to scour the internet for reliable sources or wonder if you're missing out on vital information. 

A Learning Journey Tailored to Your Pace

The beauty of learning in the digital age lies in its flexibility and adaptability. Whether you're an early bird who's most productive in the serene quiet of dawn, a night owl who finds inspiration under the moonlight, or someone who squeezes in learning during lunch breaks, today's online learning resources allow you to set your own pace. 

This customizability enables you to fit learning into your schedule rather than shaping your plan around learning. Regarding marketing, mainly email marketing, there's no one-size-fits-all approach.

Some may prefer structured learning pathways, while others opt for one-off courses on specific topics. Platforms like Udemy and Coursera provide this flexibility, offering a collection of courses you can choose from, depending on your preferences and goals.

For instance, you could choose to deep-dive into a comprehensive email marketing course on Coursera or pick specific modules focusing on email design or content creation on Udemy. The power to decide what, when, and how to learn is at your fingertips. 

In addition, the on-demand videos and resources from Cakemail's webinars and their YouTube channel allow for self-paced learning. This means you can pause, rewind, and revisit any part of a webinar or tutorial as many times as you need to truly grasp the material. This opportunity for repetition and reinforcement is crucial for mastering new concepts and skills. 

Moreover, our Interactions newsletter brings the latest insights and trends to your inbox monthly. This allows you to stay updated and learn steadily without feeling overwhelmed. Discover more of our learning resources on our website here.

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