Gone are the days of specializing in one facet of marketing is enough. The demand for marketers continues to grow while the demand for great marketers is increasingly becoming smaller. Advancements are made every week. New programs, tactics, and trends constantly and we need to be on top of them all while managing our client’s needs. One of the easiest ways to vet a good marketer is by a wide list of marketing certifications that test all-around knowledge.
Finden Marketing is expanding what it means to be a great company. We follow in the footsteps of some of the best in Minnesota including Aimclear, Carmichael Lynch, and Fast Horse to name a few. These inspirations combined with our fuel to tell client stories through out-of-the-box solutions have paved the way for us to become the best full-stack marketing agency in Duluth Minnesota and hopefully all of Minnesota someday.
Although we are the new kids on the “metaphorical” block, we know a thing or two about great marketing. Great marketing comes from a mixture of creativity, knowledge, and passion. One of the best ways to showcase all three of these is through marketing certifications. Below is our list of the five most important marketing certifications that our team looks for when we hire new team members.
Google Analytics
Analytics are the backbone of the marketing world. Almost every decision we make is decided by data. Google Analytics just happens to be incredibly powerful for consuming large amounts of data while providing an easily digestible visual.
Your first job will likely include this program intensely but the best thing is that even CMO’s will use this tool for direction. 10/10 recommend this versatile program.
Price: Free
Microsot Excel or Google Sheets Certifications
Once you learn how to view your data, you will likely need to export said data into a spreadsheet, CSV, etc. If Google Analytics is the backbone of the marketing world, Excel is the vital organ. Learn this program and make it your best friend. Whether it is Microsoft or Google Sheets, learning to input, format, and visualize data will be an essential skill for many years to come.
We chose a Udemy course because we like the brand but feel free to choose any class that suits your needs.
Price: Varies
Harmon Brother’s University
Don’t let the price tag fool you. Harmon Brothers are the best in the business and it packs an absolute haymaker. With a price tag similar to a college course, you will be put back through marketing bootcamp. They go through the best frameworks for converting ads through video content. Learning the psychology behind their methodology in and of itself is worth the price.
But WAIT, there’s more. HBU goes into great detail on scripts, plenty of FAQs, and more.
Price: ~$2,000
Adelphic Programmatic University
Programmatic advertising is not for the faint of heart. This is some intense sh*t. With user privacy becoming more and more of a reality, cookieless advertising is going to become prominent. Programmatic is similar to many other ad platforms but on cocaine. It is an insanely powerful tool that is becoming more popular and could become the future.
We chose Adelphic because of its UI. It is clean and easy to understand while being extremely integrated with all of your marketing efforts.
Price: Free
Google Search
Speaking of powerful ad platforms, Google is the biggest and has been around far longer than most others. It bullies other platforms for many industries and can be a cost-effective way for businesses to gain traction in the paid search space. Google is a great platform to learn because of how much market space they consume.
Google ads aren’t for everyone, but if you are going into the media space, it is crucial to understand the platform.
Price: Free
Bonus – Facebook Blueprint
Facebook is our favorite platform, but it isn’t necessary for every marketer. Although it is very beneficial for paid social media buyers/planners, this may be one of the most difficult exams out there. It also really doesn’t provide real-world solutions. Facebook wants you to think like their AI without taking into other possible solutions.
This certification is certainly not needed, but if you are a paid media professional, your employer may require you to receive the lofty badges.
Price: $150
At the end of the day, having these will not make a great marketer, but it will give you an understanding of how to utilize these platforms. Take Google certifications for instance: there are a lot of overlapping concepts, terms, and systems on Facebook and Snapchat etc. They will only benefit you in the long run as you advance in your career.
Want to learn more about what marketing certifications Finden looks for? Finden Marketing is Duluth, Minnesota’s leading Gen Z & Millennial marketing agency. We offer a wide range of services, including PR, Branding, Content Creation, Paid Media, Graphic Design, and Web Development. With over 30 projects in the bag, Finden Marketing is becoming a staple marketing agency in Duluth, Minnesota. To learn more about Finden Marketing, check us out here, or visit us at our office in Duluth.
