The marketing world has undergone a significant change over the past decade or so and digital marketing courses provide the ideal way to get into this growing sector. Whereas previously reliant on conventional outlets such as print media and TV, it has since extended its reach thanks to the internet revolution and the low cost but high visibility communication offered by digital media such as social networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc), mobile devices (smartphones, iPhones, tablets, etc. ) and e-marketing campaigns (newsletters, emails). Digital marketing courses teach all you need to know about this developing area.
Digital marketing differs from traditional marketing in several respects: it allows businesses to develop brand awareness incrementally through smaller campaigns rather than the big splash and big budget operations favoured by traditional marketing strategies. It also allows for greater interactivity between businesses and customers, thus affording digital marketers the chance to respond and adapt to customer and client feedback on a continuous basis.
What do digital marketing courses involve
Digital marketing courses teach students from early on that digital marketing campaigns offer customers a far more engaging form of communication than standard marketing. Nor do they lean too heavily on any one particular method, but instead comprise a complex network of interwoven strands.
As a result digital marketing is highly adaptable and dynamic by its very nature, which makes high-quality training all the more important. Those new to the area can learn how to integrate digital marketing into existing marketing strategies by enrolling on a short-term digital marketing programme. These are generally aimed at small-businesses owners who are looking to increase their customer base and profits by adopting the low-cost marketing solutions. Students will learn how to increase the visibility of their business by using social media sites, emarketing campaigns and search engine strategies.
Many digital marketing courses will use case studies to illustrate the ways in which digital marketing techniques can be used, and may also bring in industry experts as guest speakers. There are also plenty of options for learners interested in obtaining digital marketing qualifications at certificate-, diploma- or postgraduate-diploma levels. Participants on a part-time Certificate in Online Marketing Strategy will learn how to devise and implement an effective internet marketing plan for a particular product or service. As part of learning to create a plan, they will learn how to understand their potential market and how to develop different types of campaign.
By the end of the course students will be well versed in using a variety of marketing tools such as Google Analytics, Webmaster and Google Adwords. A part-time Diploma in Online Marketing and Digital Strategy will cover similar ground, but more extensively. Students will look at the proliferation of online tools, channels and platforms on all of which users now expect businesses to have a presence. As well as looking at key ways of driving traffic, creating awareness and generating and managing leads online for businesses and services though the use of content marketing programmes and pay-per-click advertising, participants will also learn to align their overall business objectives and goals with digital strategies; analyse and research digital preferences and the locations of target audiences; and how to optimise their website design.
Because of the demand for skilled professionals in the area, a part-time Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Marketing (either online or classroom-based) represents another viable alternative for learners. Along with covering the aforementioned areas of digital study, a postgraduate course will also allow students to stay in touch with classmates and lecturers long after completing their studies through an industry-focussed class network.
Why enrol in digital marketing courses
Having a solid digital marketing strategy in place is hugely important business success at any level in today s climate something reflected in the increasing amounts of company expenditure in the digital arena. This is because digital allows companies the chance to contact their customers directly and continuously, at less expense. The use of digital marketing allows businesses to measure quantitative results, providing them with information about exactly what customers were exposed to their messages, when they were exposed to them, and what actions the viewer performed as a result.
What comes next
Doing a part-time course in digital marketing will prove hugely beneficial to sales professionals, entrepreneurs, marketers, students and owners of small- to medium-sized businesses. More extensive training will also allow help graduates to become highly effective communication specialists, webmasters and IT managers.
At a glance
Short-term programmes in digital marketing last for 10 to 12 weeks, while a part-time certificate course will run for around 6 weeks. Diploma-level digital marketing courses generally tend to be of around 12 weeks duration. Postgraduate programmes generally last for one year.
