I really like that I can study any ability, at any time because of the web. As somebody who’s labored in content material for practically a decade, I do know firsthand how necessary it’s to remain forward of social media tendencies — platforms evolve, algorithms shift, and what labored final 12 months may not work immediately.
That’s why I’m at all times looking out for one of the best social media advertising and marketing programs. Not only for myself, however for anybody seeking to stage up their expertise, land a brand new job, or develop a enterprise on-line. Whether or not you’re simply beginning out or already managing social media for a model, there’s at all times one thing new to study.
With so many choices on the market, which social media programs are literally price your time? I’ve achieved the analysis and rounded up one of the best free and paid social media programs that will help you sharpen your expertise and grasp your technique.
Desk of Contents
The State of Social Media in 2025
Earlier than I get into a few of the programs, I need to provide you with an summary of the key tendencies and adjustments taking place within the social media {industry}. One factor is obvious: Issues are altering quickly, and you might want to keep in your toes to maintain up. (Anybody who’s labored as a social media supervisor is aware of what I imply.)
I dove into HubSpot’s 2025 State of Advertising to share extra about the important thing drivers for social media entrepreneurs (SMMs) and what areas and ability units are going to be most useful.
The highest precedence for recruiting advertising and marketing roles in 2025 are all in social: Social Media Coordinator, Content material Creator, and Social Media Strategist.
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The period of passive, one-size-fits-all advertising and marketing is over. Profitable manufacturers in 2025 would be the ones that actively pay attention, adapt, and have interaction with their audiences in actual time.
For B2B manufacturers, the highest advertising and marketing channels leading to ROI in 2024 had been 1) web site, weblog, and search engine optimisation, 2) paid social media content material, and three) social media buying instruments.
For B2C manufacturers, the channels with one of the best ROI had been 1) e mail advertising and marketing, 2) paid social media content material, and three) content material advertising and marketing.
For each B2B and B2C manufacturers, the highest performing content material format on social in 2024 was short-form video.
So there’s by no means been a greater time to start out — or stage up — your social media profession.
And if you wish to save time and get extra environment friendly in the case of your social media technique, attempt our suite of social instruments. You possibly can publish content material, monitor engagement, and analyze your efficiency multi function place.
Attempt HubSpot’s social media administration software program free of charge.
Social Media Coaching Programs For Freshmen
I bear in mind the primary time I hit “publish” on a social media publish for a consumer. I used to be a public relations scholar with an internship the place I used to be principally the one member of the advertising and marketing group. Fairly a welcome to the {industry}.
That was ten years in the past, however I nonetheless bear in mind the victorious feeling of pulling off my first social media advertising and marketing campaigns at that internship.
Lots has modified, however I’m nonetheless studying — and all social media professionals are nonetheless on this studying journey with you. That’s why I’m so excited so that you can begin studying immediately.
Many of those programs are fully free and supply an industry-recognized certification. Let’s bounce into tips on how to construct an efficient social media technique with these newbie programs.
1. Social Media Certification by HubSpot
Creator: HubSpot
Platform: HubSpot Academy
Worth: Free
Talent Degree: Intermediate
One-Sentence Abstract: Learn to create an inbound social media advertising and marketing technique.
HubSpot’s social media certification course is a strong program designed that will help you appeal to clients and companions, and construct model loyalty. As a result of social media is the important thing to inbound advertising and marketing, this course ties within the two ideas seamlessly.
I really like that this course is versatile sufficient so to work on it in your time. It covers important subjects comparable to measuring ROI, extending attain, social media content material creation, and social listening.
You may additionally choose to take particular classes inside the HubSpot Academy course — as an example, this one on Social Media Promoting.
HubSpot additionally has an extremely easy-to-use social media administration device that can enable you set all of those concepts in movement.
You’ll study:
The right way to develop a social media advertising and marketing technique to generate model consciousness for what you are promoting.
The right way to use social media listening to search out out what works finest on your followers.
The right way to lengthen your attain on social and leverage influencers to draw new audiences.
The right way to get essentially the most out of your social media investments.
Advisable for:
As a result of this course instantly jumps into social media technique, I like to recommend it for brand spanking new social media advertising and marketing managers who’ve lately been promoted from a junior-level function. Some prior expertise in social media is really helpful.
2. Social Media Specialization by Northwestern College
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Creator: Northwestern College
Platform: Coursera
Worth: Free
Talent Degree: Newbie
One-Sentence Abstract: Be taught the whole lot you might want to get began in social media advertising and marketing.
Coursera is a good instructional useful resource for learners and those that are new to the world of social media advertising and marketing.
This course by Northwestern College teaches you the social methods you might want to develop your attain and develop your followers. It touches upon social listening and lead nurturing, which most different programs don’t contact upon.
That is necessary as a result of lead nurturing is usually related to e mail advertising and marketing, nevertheless it will also be achieved (and must be achieved) over social media.
You’ll study:
What social media is.
Why you might want to create a social listening technique.
The right way to implement nurturing methods in your social media advertising and marketing.
Advisable for:
Due to its give attention to lead nurturing and its foundational modules, I like to recommend this course for non-marketing professionals and early-stage founders who’re taken with beginning a social media technique to develop their buyer base.
3. Social Media Advertising Course by Acadium
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Creator: Acadium
Platform: Acadium
Worth: Free
Talent Degree: Newbie
One-Sentence Abstract: Get a full understanding of social media advertising and marketing whereas growing real-world expertise in an apprenticeship.
Acadium is an apprenticeship and mentorship program — there are a selection of classes inside the social media advertising and marketing course you can take earlier than, after, or throughout your apprenticeship.
The programs provided cowl an array of social media advertising and marketing subjects, together with tips on how to arrange profiles in your chosen platforms and tips on how to save time as you scale your social media efforts.
You’ll study:
The right way to get began with the preferred social media platforms, together with Fb, X, and Instagram.
The right way to publish posts.
The right way to stand out out of your opponents.
Advisable for:
I like to recommend this course for true learners who not solely want a basis of social media advertising and marketing basically, but additionally mentorship from Acadium’s group of mentors. As a result of it provides extremely fundamental information, I don’t suggest it for present entrepreneurs or social media managers.
4. Social Media Advertising Foundations by Brian Honigman
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Creator: Brian Honigman
Platform: LinkedIn Studying
Worth: Free
Talent Degree: Newbie
One-Sentence Abstract: Be taught the foundations of social media advertising and marketing, with a give attention to viewers focusing on and business-to-customer interplay.
This foundational course by Brian Honigman, a advertising and marketing marketing consultant, provides comparable content material to the opposite beginner-level programs on this listing, with a particular give attention to interacting with clients by means of what you are promoting’s most popular social networks.
It additionally consists of instruction on utilizing social media for gross sales and experimenting together with your strategies.
You’ll study:
What social media advertising and marketing is.
The right way to use social media for buyer interactions.
The right way to attribute metrics to enterprise outcomes.
Advisable for:
I like to recommend this course for advertising and marketing professionals, salespeople, and repair professionals who need to take a customer-centric strategy to your organization’s social media technique.
5. Social Media Advertising by The Open College
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Creator: The Open College
Platform: The Open College
Worth: £200.00 (roughly $250)
Talent Degree: Newbie
One-Sentence Abstract: Be taught to create participating content material for social media that can assist your model obtain its advertising and marketing objectives.
This can be a paid course that means that you can study at your personal tempo whereas nonetheless interacting with co-learners.
The primary module covers big-picture subjects like person journey mapping and deceptive information, which is a singular focus for a newbie course.
One of many factors of this on-line course is “What differentiates nice social media?”
The fervour and experience actually shine by means of to me on this course.
You’ll study:
The right way to map the person journey.
Drawbacks and dangers to completely different social media platforms.
What separates nice social media content material from simply good content material.
Advisable for:
Given how a lot materials this course covers, social media managers or new social media group members may actually profit from this coaching.
6. Social Media Advertising by Nice Studying
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Creator: Nice Studying
Platform: Nice Studying
Worth: Free
Talent Degree: Newbie
One-Sentence Abstract: Discover the potential that neighborhood and model advocates have in your social technique.
Beginning with the fundamentals, this course shortly ramps as much as talk about the extra sophisticated aspect of social media, comparable to storytelling, cross-channel campaigns, and leveraging chatbots.
I really like that this course additionally touches on neighborhood administration and dealing with model advocates to raise your social media presence.
You may study:
Planning and content material publishing.
Fundamentals of promoting and marketing campaign monitoring.
Fundamentals of fostering neighborhood.
Advisable for:
With 1.5 hours of coaching, I feel this can be a nice newbie course for anybody who must dip their toes within the social media world however isn’t instantly growing and executing their very own technique.
7. Social Media Advertising in Follow Specialization by the Digital Advertising Institute Creator: Digital Advertising Institute
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Creator: Digital Advertising Institute
Platform: Coursera
Worth: Free
Talent Degree: Newbie
One-Sentence Abstract: Perceive what content material stands out on social and tips on how to get your viewers to have interaction.
The primary half of this social media coaching focuses on the basics and growing a content material technique. Then, the course dives into particular person platforms. It covers Fb, Instagram, Snapchat, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
With an emphasis on breaking by means of the noise, storytelling, and constructing relationships with viewers, this course helps viewers craft social media posts that additional their general advertising and marketing plan.
You’ll study:
How person conduct is altering, and the way entrepreneurs can adapt to fulfill customers the place they’re.
Particular alternatives and challenges of particular person platforms.
The right way to use the client’s journey to create content material that influences viewers.
Advisable for:
Budding digital entrepreneurs who need platform deep-dives earlier than committing to a selected social channel.
Social Media Administration Coaching For Mid-Profession Professionals
I’ve achieved social media for native authorities workplaces, nation-wide organizations just like the American Pink Cross, and numerous shoppers.
One factor I’m certain of? Platforms won’t ever cease altering, and I’ll by no means be achieved studying and enhancing my expertise. Social media coaching is supposed for professionals in any respect ranges, not simply newbies.
Particularly because the job of a complete social media group is usually given to 1 individual in under-staffed organizations. Digital entrepreneurs have to often upskill simply to maintain up.
With these assets, you are able to do so from dwelling and sometimes free of charge. Let’s dive into these assets.
8. PPC College by WordStream
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Creator: WordStream
Platform: WordStream
Worth: Free
Talent Degree: Intermediate
One-Sentence Abstract: Find out about social adverts on the key platforms together with Instagram, Fb, YouTube, Snapchat, Tik Tok, and LinkedIn.
WordStream provides the required instructional assets to develop a robust understanding of social media ads, together with platforms like Instagram, Fb, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
I like how there’s additionally details about why and tips on how to promote on social media, in addition to schooling about finest practices whereas promoting throughout these platforms.
Lastly, you’ll find out about social media advert metrics and social buying — this fashion, you’ll be able to successfully measure your success in addition to attain your viewers when and the place they’re able to make a purchase order.
You’ll study:
The right way to get began with pay-per-click advertising and marketing throughout all kinds of platforms, together with social media.
The right way to create a social advert technique on your most popular platform(s).
Why you must spend money on social media adverts.
The right way to measure your success with advert metrics.
Advisable for:
I like to recommend this course for social media advertising and marketing managers who’re taken with launching a paid adverts technique on social media.
I feel it’s additionally an important match for you when you want to study at your personal tempo by studying written guides (versus watching movies).
9. Google Digital Advertising & E-commerce Skilled Certificates by Google
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Creator: Google Profession Certificates
Platform: Coursera
Worth: Free
Talent Degree: Intermediate
One-Sentence Abstract: Learn to go from having no digital advertising and marketing presence to constructing a loyal buyer base on-line.
This course could also be labeled “newbie” on Coursera, however I’ve listed it within the intermediate class because of its depth and breadth.
With greater than 150 hours of coaching supplies, Google’s coaching course of takes college students from zero expertise to producing leads, analyzing information, making gross sales, and fostering buyer loyalty on-line.
For context: In case you spend ten hours every week working by means of this coaching, it’s going to take you greater than six months to finish. Profitable college students will get a complete understanding of growing a profitable social media technique.
You’ll study:
The right way to create participating content material that turns “likes” into leads.
What social analytics to make use of to construct a loyal buyer base.
The right way to construct long-lasting relationships with viewers.
Advisable for:
This social media coaching goes manner past social media alone. I feel it’s splendid for anybody who’s answerable for being a one-person advertising and marketing group.
10. Superior Content material and Social Techniques to Optimize search engine optimisation by the College of California, Davis
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Creator: College of California, Davis
Platform: Coursera
Worth: Free
Talent Degree: Intermediate
One-Sentence Abstract: Be taught in regards to the extra complicated aspect of social media advertising and marketing, like influencer advertising and marketing and superior content material methods.
Influencers stay on social media, however participating with them isn’t a newbie’s initiative. In case you’re able to make the leap, this course teaches you tips on how to construct profitable relationships with influencers.
Moreover, it teaches extra superior content material methods that assist additional your search engine optimisation efforts and enhance web site site visitors. Together with video coaching, I like that this course additionally comes with dialogue prompts and assignments to assist college students perceive the fabric. For me, I solely absolutely study a brand new idea by doing it, not simply listening to about it.
You’ll study:
What potential social media has for driving web site site visitors.
How influencers can bolster an organization’s on-line visibility at the side of different social initiatives.
Perceive your target market on a deeper stage.
Advisable for:
Entrepreneurs who’re able to work with influencers and develop web site site visitors.
11. Viral Advertising and The right way to Craft Contagious Content material by the College of Pennsylvania
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Creator: College of Pennsylvania
Platform: Coursera
Worth: Free
Talent Degree: Intermediate
One-Sentence Abstract: Perceive viral content material and how one can leverage predictable patterns in your personal social technique.
“Why did THAT publish go so viral?!” It’s a thought each digital marketer has had, together with myself. Now we are able to lastly get some solutions on this course by the College of Pennsylvania.
The course description shares that word-of-mouth data is 10x as efficient as typical promoting, and course Module 3 explains how entrepreneurs can achieve affect to enhance model visibility.
You’’ll study:
The psychology behind social networks and the way they unfold on social media.
What all viral concepts have in frequent.
The ability of phrase of mouth, and tips on how to harness this in your social media technique.
Advisable for:
Manufacturers who’ve their target market, supply, and funnel discovered, and are prepared for the (LOTS of) eyeballs.
Social Media Advertising Coaching For Entrepreneurs
Within the age of non-public branding, we’re all entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurs take this on in a proper capability after they’re answerable for their very own enterprise technique.
Whether or not you’re focusing on one particular social media platform otherwise you need to mobilize your whole social media accounts to assist unfold your message, these programs will assist.
12. On-line Promoting & Social Media by the College of Maryland
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Creator: College of Maryland
Platform: edX
Worth: Free
Talent Degree: Intermediate
One-Sentence Abstract: Find out about internet marketing, sentiment evaluation, and social community evaluation.
On edX, you’ll be able to decide courses that fit your pursuits and save courses to discuss with later. There are a selection of enterprise subjects you’ll be able to take courses on.
This course from the College of Maryland focuses on internet marketing, and particularly on social media promoting. Plus, it consists of instruction on information evaluation so to make knowledgeable choices when refining your social technique over time.
You’ll study:
Which platforms you’ll be able to promote on.
The right way to measure the success of your campaigns.
The right way to analyze your chosen social media networks.
The right way to delve into Huge Knowledge on your social efforts.
Advisable for:
I like to recommend this course for social media entrepreneurs who’d wish to launch an promoting technique. As well as, I like to recommend it for brand spanking new social media analysts who want a robust basis in social information evaluation.
13. Fundamentals of Digital Advertising, Social Media, and E-Commerce by The Wharton Faculty
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Creator: The Wharton Faculty, College of Pennsylvania
Platform: edX
Worth: $585
Talent Degree: Intermediate
One-Sentence Abstract: Advertising course designed for enterprise professionals.
Wharton’s course is taken into account an intermediate dive into the intersection of digital advertising and marketing, social media advertising and marketing, and ecommerce. It’s a self-paced, six-week class that requires three hours of your time every week.
This course is structured particularly for advertising and marketing professionals, small enterprise homeowners, and customers who need to know social media strategies. You’ll discover ways to produce advertising and marketing campaigns which can be efficient for what you are promoting.
Notice: This course is obtainable in stay cohorts. You’ll want to attend for enrollment to open.
You’ll study:
The right way to use demographics and behaviors to create a digital technique.
The right way to work together with clients and potential patrons throughout a number of channels.
The right way to leverage instruments and techniques to power-up your digital advertising and marketing.
The right way to delve into new media platforms, together with social media.
Advisable for:
Whereas this can be a foundational course, I like to recommend it for knowledgeable enterprise professionals who’d wish to develop their ability set to incorporate advertising and marketing expertise and techniques.
14. The Technique of Content material Advertising by College of California, Davis
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Creator: College of California, Davis
Platform: Coursera
Worth: Free
Talent Degree: Intermediate
One-Sentence Abstract: Be taught in regards to the energy of integrating your content material advertising and marketing and social media advertising and marketing methods.
Social media advertising and marketing is a kind of content material advertising and marketing, and this course can assist you weave each right into a extra complete technique.
On this on-line class provided by the College of California, Davis, you’ll discover ways to create a content material advertising and marketing technique and develop an understanding of the ecosystem surrounding that technique.
Ample time will even be spent engaged on strategic writing and framing.
You’ll overview the several types of content material advertising and marketing, together with how they’re integral to social media advertising and marketing. There are 5 weeks price of fabric paired with movies, workout routines, readings, and quizzes.
You’ll study:
What the content material advertising and marketing ecosystem is.
The right way to use the “7A Framework” to power-up your content material.
The right way to tailor your content material to every section of the client’s journey.
Advisable for:
I like to recommend this course for social media entrepreneurs who’d wish to strategy social media advertising and marketing with a content-centric perspective.
15. Social Media Advertising Masterclass by Mark Timberlake and Philomena Timberlake
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Creator: Mark Timberlake and Philomena Timberlake
Platform: Udemy
Worth: $129.99 one-time price or $16.58/mo
Talent Degree: Newbie
One-Sentence Abstract: Learn to construct a social media advertising and marketing technique and schedule on your distinctive enterprise.
Slightly than a whole stage one course in social media, I really like that this providing is a masterclass on the topic, uniquely centered round moral digital advertising and marketing strategies.
You’ll discover ways to arrange a strong advertising and marketing technique and a schedule that aligns with conducting enterprise objectives.
You’ll additionally dive into how social media advertising and marketing integrates with what you are promoting, e mail advertising and marketing, and constructing an internet neighborhood. This course may be accomplished in 20 hours, and offers you a certificates of completion at its finish.
You’ll study:
The right way to create actionable content material in your web site and social media.
The right way to leverage social media communities to extend model consciousness.
Which social media platforms you should utilize to market what you are promoting.
The right way to use your telephone for social media pictures.
Advisable for:
This masterclass doesn’t cowl simply social media advertising and marketing, however search engine optimisation and running a blog. For that purpose, I like to recommend it for brand spanking new entrepreneurs who’d wish to develop their ability set as they dive into their new function.
16. Social Media Advertising Skilled Certificates by Meta
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Creator: Meta (Fb)
Platform: Coursera
Worth: Free
Talent Degree: Newbie
One-Sentence Abstract: Find out about social media advertising and marketing and promoting strategies from Meta.
Meta’s social media advertising and marketing certificates consists of the necessities you might want to jumpstart your social media advertising and marketing information, with added coursework on promoting.
It additionally provides a Meta-centric strategy, so if you’d wish to promote on Fb and Instagram, that is the precise course for you.
You’ll study:
The right way to create a social media administration technique.
The right way to start social media promoting on Meta’s platforms.
The right way to measure the outcomes out of your efforts.
Advisable for:
I like to recommend this course for professionals who need to get foundational information in social media advertising and marketing and who know they’ll be investing into Meta’s social media platforms.
Discover Your Preferrred Social Media Advertising Course
Which social media coaching course appeals to you essentially the most? It’s wonderful to me what number of free programs are at our fingertips (with no graded assignments or worry of not figuring out the reply).
The largest factor I’ve discovered in my profession is that investing in my schooling and studying new expertise will at all times at all times repay. So when you’re eager to study extra about up-to-date methods that enable you stand out from different social media entrepreneurs and enable you propel your profession, I like to recommend doing the identical.
Editor’s observe: This publish was initially printed in November 2019 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.