edX Online

Learn social media management and marketing online

Marketing professionals harness the power of social media to share branded messages, influence consumer purchases, promote grassroots efforts, and more. Take an edX course to learn more about social media marketing.

What is social media marketing?

Social media marketing is a broad term that refers to online marketing campaigns and efforts implemented through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

This marketing discipline often combines social media management with social media advertising to promote products, services, or ideas. Social media marketers actively engage their brand's followers and attract new audiences to their social channels.

Digital campaigns can be highly effective with a talented social media strategist at the helm. Many aspiring marketers will pursue some kind of social media training to learn the ins and outs of social media optimization or to build a career in social media services.

Browse online Social Media Marketing Certificates

Find new interests and advance your career opportunities

Stand out in your field

Use the knowledge and skills you have gained to drive impact at work and grow your career.

Learn at your own pace

On your computer, tablet or phone, online courses make learning flexible to fit your busy life.

Earn a valuable credential

Showcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.

Certificates

Related Topics

Social media marketing course curriculum

Social media marketing programs equip learners with the practical skills and strategies necessary to plan, execute, and optimize impactful campaigns. Students learn how to:

  • Develop a social media management strategy.
  • Create a budget.
  • Schedule content.
  • Drive engagement across platforms.
  • Measure the results of a social media campaign.

Some courses are tailored to learners looking to pursue careers in areas such as e-commerce, product management, marketing analytics, public relations, or content marketing.

Regardless of niche, social media courses are designed to reflect the evolving nature of digital marketing, equipping learners for the real world.

Skills needed for success in social media management

Social media managers typically have a unique combination of skills, often transferable and relevant to fields such as business, data analytics, or advertising. They tend to be strong communicators and can write clearly and succinctly.

Strong marketing skills and the ability to quickly master social media marketing tools allow professionals to stay ahead of emerging industry trends. Finally, successful social media managers possess analytical skills and a knack for interpreting data and synthesizing reports.

Prepare for careers in social media marketing

Social media marketing can be a fulfilling and flexible industry for creative souls, salespeople, or those interested in community management. Most companies have a presence on social media, creating demand for in-house social media managers across sectors.

Depending on the role, a professional may be tasked with creating content or crafting brand personas. Gaining knowledge through an online social media marketing course can help you decide which role to pursue within the field.

With a foundation in social media marketing, you can explore many different roles. Learn more about a few of these jobs, below, with salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Marketing manager

As strategic leaders, marketing managers develop and implement campaigns that promote products and services. Their responsibilities often include leveraging social media to engage and retain customers, coordinating initiatives to build brand awareness, and adapting strategies to meet the demands of an evolving digital landscape.

  • Required education: Bachelor's degree
  • Median annual salary (2024): $159,660

Public relations specialist

Public relations specialists build and protect clients' public image by crafting messages, analyzing perception, and managing media and social outreach. They often use social media to monitor sentiment, influence audiences, and share strategic information.

  • Required education: Bachelor's degree
  • Median annual salary (2024): $69,780

Market research analysts

Market research analysts study consumer data to help businesses understand their audience and competitors. This often involves analyzing social media campaign performance to interpret trends, prepare reports, and understand consumer behavior.

  • Required education: Bachelor's degree
  • Median annual salary (2024): $76,950

Enroll in an online social media marketing course

Learn social media marketing best practices and strategies with edX. Register for free today and learn from top universities and industry leaders, on your schedule.

More opportunities for you to learn

We've added 500+ learning opportunities to create one of the world's most comprehensive free-to-degree online learning platforms.