Marketing has become a highly sought-after expertise with its blend of creative problem-solving and strategic thinking. It’s also growing: The digital marketing job market’s value is projected to surpass 24 billion dollars by 2028.
To keep up with rapidly changing technologies and customer needs, one avenue to consider is enrolling in an online marketing certificate program. Beyond advancing your career, it can be a flexible, convenient way to develop your skills and build your network.
If you’re wondering whether an online marketing course is worth it, here are four benefits you could experience by enrolling in one and how to find the right fit for you.
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DOWNLOAD NOW4 Benefits of Enrolling in an Online Marketing Course
1. Stay Up to Date on Market Trends
Marketers have always strived to entice customers to purchase goods and services, but how to reach those customers has drastically evolved.
“Technology completely changed the way consumers connect with brands, how they search for information, and how they buy products,” says Harvard Business School Professor Sunil Gupta, who teaches the online course Digital Marketing Strategy.
Recent marketing trends include:
- Marketing automation
- Influencer marketing
- Marketing analytics
By taking an online course, you can explore these topics and how they impact your industry. For example, Digital Marketing Strategy, like all HBS Online courses, enables you to apply course concepts to real-world scenarios using the case method—in which you assume the perspectives of business experts and reflect on how you’d solve the specific challenges they face.
2. Flexibility
Another benefit of online marketing courses is that they provide the flexibility to fulfill personal and professional commitments. Many allow you to schedule your education around your career through asynchronous learning models—so you can access course materials, lectures, and assignments anytime from anywhere.
That flexibility is crucial to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. According to Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce, 25 percent of all working learners are simultaneously employed and enrolled in school full time. In addition, 76 percent of graduate students work at least 30 hours a week.
Related: 5 Time Management Tips for Online Learners
3. Cost Effective
Online courses are often more affordable than in-person ones. They enable you to avoid transportation and lodging costs but also offer the aforementioned flexibility so you can still work full-time to offset the expense.
Despite their lower price tags, they can be just as rigorous as on-campus, full-time degree programs. In addition to offering challenging assignments and group projects, they require managing your time effectively to meet strict course deadlines.
Related: Should You Take an Online Class? 9 Things to Consider
4. Digital Skills Development
Online marketing courses are also an effective way to upskill and hone digital marketing skills such as:
- Search engine optimization
- Email marketing
- Social media
- Data analysis
While you can improve such skills on the job, some may require a more in-depth approach. If the latter resonates with you, an online course could be a worthwhile way to become a more strategic thinker and discover how to use the latest digital platforms and tools to advance your career.
How to Select the Right Online Marketing Course for You
While many online marketing courses offer these benefits, you need to find the right one for you. Here are a few steps to help.
Choose a Specialization
Before choosing an online marketing course, consider your interests.
Marketing specializations you can study include:
- Digital marketing
- Content marketing
- Social media marketing
- Video marketing
By identifying your area of interest, you can choose a course that aligns with your professional development goals. Specializing also allows you to develop niche expertise, making you a more attractive candidate for a promotion or new role.
Evaluate the Curriculum
Curriculum quality is paramount because it influences how well your education prepares you for today’s business challenges.
For example, Digital Marketing Strategy includes components that make learning from HBS Online unique, such as:
- Interactive learning exercises
- Real-world business cases
- Access to a global network of like-minded business professionals
Your course’s curriculum can also affect your career outcomes.
In a 2022 survey by City Square Associates, 36 percent of HBS Online learners said they changed careers after taking a course. In another survey, 85 percent said taking a course bolstered their resume, and 42 percent attracted more attention from recruiters.
Research the Faculty
Faculty form the backbone of many online courses. At HBS Online, you can learn from industry leaders that include:
- C-suite executives
- Entrepreneurs
- Early- and mid-career professionals
- HBS faculty
Digital Marketing Strategy includes real-world cases featuring OOFOS’ Head of E-Commerce Kate Laliberte, Adobe’s Chief Marketing Officer Ann Lewnes, and e.l.f. Beauty’s Chief Digital Officer Ekta Chopra.
Review Learner Testimonials
Education can be a huge time and money investment. As such, it’s critical to explore former learners' stories to ensure your course generates a positive return.
Testimonials can provide insight into a course’s:
- Learning experience
- Real-world application
- Skills development
- Career outcomes
For example, Sichao Ni, a commercial attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, enrolled in an HBS Online course to pursue his passion for learning.
"HBS Online doesn't teach you knowledge or prescribe any cookie-cutter solutions to problems,” Ni says. “Rather, it teaches you how to think about business problems and arrive at a solution yourself."
Take Your Marketing Career to the Next Level
Among a myriad of professional development opportunities, enrolling in an online marketing course is a flexible, affordable option for advancing your skills and career.
Digital Marketing Strategy, for instance, is designed to help you use the latest marketing tactics, tools, and trends to reach and retain customers in a digital world. Through real-world cases and an interactive, online learning experience, you can learn how to develop data-driven strategies that position your organization to succeed.
Do you want to advance your marketing career? Explore Digital Marketing Strategy to discover how. If you’re interested in exploring online education but aren’t sure where to start, download our free guide to online learning success.
