10 Best SMMA Courses (Free + Paid)

If you're looking to start your own social media marketing agency (SMMA), you should probably start by educating yourself on the subject.

To drive meaningful results for their clients, marketers must have a thorough understanding of the requirements of social media platforms, craft effective strategies, create compelling content, and analyze data.

To achieve this, we've compiled a list of the best SMMA courses available today, both free and paid.

Best SMMA Courses (Free + Paid)


Explore our selection of the best SMMA courses, highlighting key features that set them apart from the competition: 

1. ‘Introduction to Social Media Marketing’ - Meta on Coursera 

2. ‘Digital Marketing Specialization’ - Coursera

3. ‘Social Media Marketing Certification’ - Hootsuite Academy

4. ‘Facebook Ads & Facebook Marketing Mastery’ - Udemy

5. ‘Social Media Marketing Specialization’ - Northwestern University on Coursera

6. ‘Social Media Marketing MASTERY’ - Udemy

7. ‘The Complete Digital Marketing Course’ - Udemy

8. ‘Social Media Management Certification’ - Buffer

9. ‘Social Media Marketing Nanodegree’ - Udacity

10. ‘Advanced Social Media Marketing for Picking Up Clients’ - Udemy

1.  Introduction to Social Media Marketing by Meta

Introduction to Social Media Marketing by Meta

This is a free course that provides the ultimate foundation for social media marketing.

You’ll learn how to select a suitable marketing channel for your business, set your goals, identify your key metrics, and identify your target audience.

By the end of the course, you will:

  • Understand social media marketing vs. traditional marketing 

  • Learn how to become certified as a Digital Marketing Associate 

  • Familiarize yourself with the major social media platforms and their functions 

  • Create SMART goals and KPIs

  • Know your target audience and customer journey 

This course provides a strong foundation for beginners just starting out on their social media marketing journey.

You do not need any prior experience in marketing to complete this course.

You will need a Facebook account, as it’s mandatory for you to take the course. 

Check out the course here

2.  Digital Marketing Specialization by Coursera

Digital Marketing Specialization by Coursera

This specialization offered by Coursera covers a wide range of digital marketing topics, including social media marketing. 

The course provides a solid foundation in the following areas: 

  • Digital marketing strategies

  • Analytics

  • Campaign optimization 

It offers a well-rounded approach to social media marketing within the broader context of digital marketing.

Check out the course here

3. Social Media Marketing Certification by Hootsuite Academy

Social Media Marketing Certification by Hootsuite Academy

Hootsuite Academy offers a certification program focused specifically on social media marketing. 

The course covers:

  • Social media strategy

  • Content marketing

  • Community management

  • Social advertising

It provides hands-on training and practical skills using the Hootsuite platform, which is widely used in the industry for social media management.

Check out the course here

4. Facebook Ads & Facebook Marketing Mastery by Udemy

Facebook Ads & Facebook Marketing Mastery by Udemy

This Udemy course is dedicated to mastering Facebook advertising and marketing

It covers topics, including:

  • Creating effective ad campaigns

  • Targeting specific audiences

  • Optimizing Facebook ads for maximum ROI 

The course provides insights into Facebook's advertising platform and strategies for driving engagement and conversions on the platform.

Check out the course here

5. Social Media Marketing Specialization by Northwestern University on Coursera

Social Media Marketing Specialization by Northwestern University on Coursera

Northwestern University offers this specialization on Coursera, providing a comprehensive understanding of social media marketing. 

The course covers the following topics: 

  • Content strategy

  • Influencer marketing

  • Social media analytics

  • Crisis management

It offers a deep dive into social media marketing strategies and execution.

Check out the course here

6. Social Media Marketing MASTERY by Udemy

Social Media Marketing MASTERY by Udemy

This Udemy course focuses on mastering social media marketing across various platforms. 

You can learn about:

  • Audience targeting

  • Content creation

  • Engagement strategies

  • Social media advertising 

The course provides practical insights and techniques to effectively navigate the social media landscape for business growth.

Check out the course here

7. The Complete Digital Marketing Course - 12 Courses in 1 by Udemy

The Complete Digital Marketing Course - 12 Courses in 1 by Udemy

This Udemy course offers a comprehensive overview of digital marketing, including social media marketing. 

Understand the following topics: 

  • SEO

  • Content marketing

  • Email marketing

  • Social media advertising

The course provides a holistic understanding of digital marketing strategies and their application to different platforms.

Check out the course here.

8. Social Media Management Certification by Buffer

Social Media Management Certification by Buffer

Buffer offers a certification program specifically focused on social media management. 

You can expect to learn: 

  • Social media strategy

  • Content planning

  • Scheduling

  • Analytics 

It provides practical insights and techniques to effectively manage social media accounts and drive engagement.

Check out the course here.

9. Social Media Marketing Nanodegree by Udacity

Social Media Marketing Nanodegree by Udacity

Udacity's nanodegree program in social media marketing offers comprehensive training in various aspects of social media marketing. 

The course covers a comprehensive list of topics, including: 

  • Social media strategy

  • Content creation

  • Community management

  • Social advertising

  • Analytics

It provides hands-on projects and real-world scenarios to apply the learned skills.

Check out the course here.

10. Advanced Social Media Marketing for Picking Up Clients by Udemy

Advanced Social Media Marketing for Picking Up Clients by Udemy

This Udemy course focuses on leveraging social media marketing to attract and acquire clients for your business or agency. 

It covers strategies for: 

  • Lead generation

  • Client acquisition

  • Effective communication

The course provides insights into using social media platforms as powerful tools for client acquisition and business growth.

Check out the course here.

 

Struggling to turn your knowledge into an online course? Our FREE checklist will help you!

 

How to Find the Right SMMA Course For You


When looking for the best SMMA course, several key factors that contribute to its effectiveness and value must be considered.

1. In-depth Platform Knowledge

A SMMA course should provide comprehensive training on various social media platforms.

Whether it's Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, or YouTube, a deep understanding of each platform's unique features, algorithms, and best practices is essential.

For instance, Facebook alone has over 2.8 billion monthly active users, making it a powerhouse for businesses to tap into their potential customers.

Meta Business Suite

A top-notch SMMA course should equip aspiring marketers with the skills to effectively leverage each platform's capabilities to maximize reach and engagement.

2. Comprehensive Strategy Development

The best SMMA courses guide students toward developing a solid foundation for crafting effective social media strategies.

This includes identifying target audiences, conducting competitor analysis, setting clear objectives, and formulating data-driven tactics for campaign implementation.

Meta Audience Insights tool

By emphasizing strategy development, a high-quality SMMA course empowers marketers to deliver tangible results for their clients.

3. Analytics and Performance Tracking

Data-driven decision-making lies at the heart of proficient social media marketing.

The best SMMA courses delve into the importance of analytics and performance tracking tools.

Google analytics

Participants should learn how to interpret key metrics such as reach, engagement, conversions, and return on investment (ROI).

By effectively analyzing these data points, marketers can make informed decisions to optimize campaigns and achieve desired outcomes.

4. Effective Content Creation and Engagement Strategies

A SMMA course should provide participants with the skills to create captivating content that resonates with their target audience.

This includes understanding the importance of visual elements, crafting persuasive copywriting, and leveraging storytelling techniques.

Canva graphic design templates

Moreover, participants should learn effective engagement strategies such as community management, responding to comments and messages, and fostering meaningful interactions with followers.

5. Client Management and Communication

Effective client management and communication are crucial for building strong and lasting relationships.

A top-quality SMMA course should equip participants with the necessary client management strategies, including setting expectations, regular reporting, and effective communication channels.

Slack B2B communication tool

Participants should learn how to effectively communicate campaign progress, address client concerns, and provide insightful recommendations for continuous improvement.

 

We help people make money from their skills by teaching them how to create online courses and offer consulting services - Sam Weil Co-Founder @Aquarius

 

Finding the Ultimate SMMA Course for Mastering Social Media Marketing


Social media marketing involves platform knowledge, planning, data analysis, content creation, and client management.

These are taught in the best SMMA courses:

1. ‘Introduction to Social Media Marketing’ - Meta on Coursera 

2. ‘Digital Marketing Specialization’ - Coursera

3. ‘Social Media Marketing Certification’ - Hootsuite Academy

4. ‘Facebook Ads & Facebook Marketing Mastery’ - Udemy

5. ‘Social Media Marketing Specialization’ - Northwestern University on Coursera

6. ‘Social Media Marketing MASTERY’ - Udemy

7. ‘The Complete Digital Marketing Course’ - Udemy

8. ‘Social Media Management Certification’ - Buffer

9. ‘Social Media Marketing Nanodegree’ - Udacity

10. ‘Advanced Social Media Marketing for Picking Up Clients’ - Udemy

Selecting the right SMMA course tailored to your needs empowers you to acquire essential skills, enabling you to establish your agency and lay a solid foundation for success.

BACK TO SMMA OVERVIEW

 
 
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