A 2021 survey by LinkedIn showed that digital marketing skills and roles are high in demand. There are more than 381,000 marketing vacancies offered on the job posting site–a steep 63.7% year-on-year increase. Key drivers to this trend include the recent pandemic and travel restrictions that have pushed more people to spend time online. Additionally, the pandemic also changed brands’ strategies as they started to prioritize delivering a digital-first marketing strategy.
However, given the fact that technology’s nature is rapidly changing, digital marketing skills are not static. Digital marketers must constantly keep up with the latest developments and refresh their skills to ensure their strategies remain relevant. There is no shortage of top-notch courses and certifications, but some of them may require paying a fee. But, if you are looking for some free-of-charge avenues to upgrade your digital marketing skills, you’re in the right place. Our digital marketers here in Kaliber Asia have shortlisted a few learning platforms where you can upskill your digital marketing skills without having to spend a single dollar.
#1 Facebook Blueprint
https://www.facebook.com/business/learn
The social media giant is well-known for its Facebook Blueprint program, which offers more than 90 self-paced eLearning courses. The courses cover the necessary digital marketing skills in various difficulty levels such as lead generation, drive consideration, audience targeting, and many more. If you advertise in Facebook-owned (or now rebranded as Meta) platforms like Instagram or WhatsApp, their wide range of courses will be highly relevant. However, while everyone can access the online lessons for free, selected certification tests may cost up to USD 150. Since its inception in 2015, the Facebook Blueprint program has trained more than 160,000 professionals and is expected to grow even more in terms of courses offered and the number of participants trained.
#2 Google Skillshop
https://skillshop.withgoogle.com/
Available in all countries that Google serves, Google Skillshop provides free online training to develop Google workplace tools. These tools include Google Ads and Ads Manager, Marketing Platform, Google Analytics, My Business, and many other tools within the Google network. With a presence in more than two million websites, videos, and apps, or approximately 90% of the internet, Google Ad network is the world’s largest digital advertising network. It goes without saying that using Google Ads will be one of the essential skills for digital marketers. The certifications are free, and lessons are tailored to allow flexibility in learning at your own pace. Getting certified may also contribute to your company’s Google Partner Badge. One of the many requirements to attain the Google Premier partner certification is having 50% of account strategists employed to be certified through the Google Skillshop.
#3 Google Digital Garage
https://learndigital.withgoogle.com/digitalgarage
Google Digital Garage offers more than 150 courses and certifications related to digital skills that are in demand today. However, it is only available in selected countries. The program covers Data & Tech, General Career Development, and Digital Marketing. Whether you are looking to excel in your digital marketing skills or simply looking for courses that will help your professional track record, Google Digital Garage is worth the try.
#4 Think with Google
https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/
Your digital marketing skill is not the only factor that you need to succeed. The other factor that helps you become a great digital marketer is your understanding of the constantly evolving trends in how your audience consumes and interacts with digital advertising efforts. One of the most reliable sources to learn all these trends is Think With Google. With Google’s reach, you can imagine the number of insights that pass through their platforms daily. All those insights are translated into remarkable findings and trends that Google regularly shares on Think With Google.
#5 Hubspot Academy
The worldwide leader in free online training for inbound marketing, sales, and customer service professionals offers a range of free courses and certifications that help digital marketing professionals grow and flourish in their careers. The courses translate complex marketing concepts (especially for new-joiners in the digital marketing field) into bite-sized lessons that accommodate various learning styles. At the end of the course, you may also opt for certification tests free of charge. If the brands you are working for use Hubspot as a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform, the certifications provided by the Hubspot Academy will be even more relevant for you.
#6 LinkedIn Marketing Lab
https://training.marketing.linkedin.com/
The world’s largest professional networking site has more than 800 million members and a presence in more than 200 countries & territories. This makes it one of the most extensive in the world. It is also one of the most preferred channels for digital B2B marketers, making knowledge in LinkedIn Ads a critical skill. LinkedIn’s Marketing Lab provides several lessons related to the basics of LinkedIn ads and marketing strategies related to the platform. There is also a certification exam for you to showcase the proof of your LinkedIn Ads expertise and newfound knowledge.
#7 TikTok Ads Academy
https://www.tiktokadsacademy-sea.com/
TikTok may be a new-joiner in the social media scene, but the video-sharing app has managed to reach more than 1 billion people around the world. Additionally, 15% of video marketers stated that TikTok is already part of or will be part of their digital marketing strategy. This is a feat rarely achieved by a social media platform that has only been around since 2017. With more brands joining the Tiktok advertising bandwagon, visiting the free virtual and live classes available at the TikTok Ads academy is worth the shot. Getting certified at the TikTok ads academy test centre will definitely help unlock another in-demand skill set into your digital marketing career.
#8 Blog.Kaliber.Asia
If you are looking for digital marketing content written based on the perspectives and experiences of digital marketing professionals from a performance marketing agency, you’re in the right place. Apart from consulting for clients across the Asia Pacific & EU region, our team members regularly share some digital marketing fundamentals, tips, tricks, and the latest trends we have gathered through our combined $500M ad experience. All this content is available in the form of articles in the Kaliber Asia blog.
