Digital Marketing Certificate Program
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
All students who finish this program will receive a signed certificate of completion verifying their participation in the program.
In this certificate program you will learn about the massive changes in online digital marketing, including mobile device outreach, search engine optimization, how to thrive in the engagement economy and a variety of insider social media marketing techniques. You will gain the skills necessary to increase site traffic, improve site conversion and build bigger online audiences.
Program Description
During the certificate program, you'll learn proven strategies for growing your online audience with qualified traffic from a marketing and tech industry veteran who has been involved with the development of the modern Internet since the 1980's. You'll learn fundamental entrepreneurial business principles and insider tips for building your brand identity and marketing strategy, maximizing your search engine results, effective social media marketing and much more. This certificate program will help give you the knowledge and skills necessary to provide these immensely valuable and in-demand services to organizations that need to grow their online audiences.
Equipment
During the class it is vital that you have quick and easy access to your social media and web hosting accounts.
Computer Requirement
This is a hands-on class where you'll "learn by doing". Therefore you'll need a computer. If you need any particular software installed, that will be detailed below. Not all programs require special software so if there isn't any detailed listed below you will only need a computer with a up-to-date web browser. We always recommend that if you have one, that you bring your own computer if at all possible. However, if you need one, we have several Apple iMac workstations with all the necessary software that are available by reservation for only $20 per day. You can reserve a computer rental using this form but you must complete your registration first. In most cases, the class will be taught with the Macintosh version of the software but generally the only difference between the Mac and Windows version is the keyboard shortcuts, using the Command key on Mac and the Control key on Windows.
For this class, all you need is a good, modern web browser such as Google Chrome, access to your website and access to any social media accounts that you have.
After You Register
BDA is committed to making learning process as enjoyable as possible and making sure that you can focus on your learning. After you register you will be contacted by our staff who answer questions you might have and assist you with any logistical and travel concerns.
Schedule
Day 1
Creating Your Business Strategy
The first step in building your web traffic is making sure you have a clearly defined brand and business identity. Do you really know what makes your business different? Do your customers?
In this first section, we will identify what makes your business or endeavor unique and sets it apart from competitors. We'll examine the visuals and language that make up your brand, and evaluate whether your online presence Web site, Facebook pages, Twitter account, etc communicates it accurately.
Through in-class exercises, you'll select key words to use, identify target audiences to attract, and set goals for the remainder of the course.
Your Web Site
Whether you have a small business, a freelance enterprise, a non-profit, or a blog, this course assumes that you want to increase your web traffic, attracting new visitors and retaining existing ones.
All your marketing efforts will ultimately direct people to your website and prompt them to take an action, so we'll examine your site and make sure it provides visitors with a clear path to your product sales, sign up for your newsletter, leave a comment on your blog, etc.
Web Marketing
We'll continue improving your website by discussing effective copywriting - both for humans and search engines. Writing on the web is different than writing for print, and writing Google-friendly pages, menus, and headlines is an art unto itself. The instructor will teach you proven, ethical strategies for search engine optimization and go over why adding a blog is one of the most effective things you can do.
We'll discuss building community around your site and moving beyond your own site to write articles and guest posts for other blogs, raising your own site's profile in the process. The day finishes with a homework assignment: be ready to work on your business strategies and come with them for the second day!
Video Content
With the rise and rise of YouTube and other online video media, no company can ignore this critical communications channel. We'll explore what's needed to create effective online videos, develop shooting scripts and produce our own videos ready to post online and share with classmates and, hopefully, the online community.
Web Marketing Continued
We'll continue by diving deeper into the world of search engine optimization and search engine marketing, and bring more advanced SEO and SEM strategies into play. This afternoon will include individual site SEO audits and time to analyze what you can improve on your own Web pages to increase ranking and traffic. You'll also learn how to use online PR sites like PRWeb for your press releases and practice writing a release.
Day 2
Mobile Marketing
We'll explore the brave new world of mobile device marketing, including iPhone, Android, and iPad app building options and the critical importance of creating a mobile-friendly version of your website.
Using Social Media
The afternoon focuses on Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Plus and Pinterest. We'll start by exploring smart ways to work with the LinkedIn community to build your business, then explore Twitter, including the use of hashtags, identifying and taking advantage of trending topics, and committing to regular updates and interacting with your followers.
Facebook Marketing
We'll dive headfirst into Facebook and explore different strategies for using Facebook pages, events and advertising for your business. We'll cover how to foster a positive community on Facebook while managing trolls and negative feedback, empowering your team to represent your company, and cross-linking between Facebook and your website content.
Facebook Advertising and More
The afternoon will feature a deep dive into Facebook advertising, including how to boost posts - - "and whether it's worth the money - - " along with how to set up and run Facebook ad campaigns and what kind of results to expect.
We'll also talk about ways to maintain a balance between your personal life on Facebook and your professional identity, so that you can use social media without sharing your private life with the world! Homework assignments will include Tweeting and creating content on Facebook.
Lab and Open Review Time
We'll take a look at how the world has responded to your marketing efforts so far, review your social media efforts, review any material that people still have questions about and work on a plan for you to take with you beyond this course.
Instructor
Dave Taylor has been involved with the Internet since 1980 and is widely recognized as an expert on both technical and business issues. He has been published over a thousand times, launched four Internet-related startup companies, has written twenty business and technical books and holds both an MBA and MS Ed. Dave maintains four weblogs: The Business Blog at Intuitive.com, Ask Dave Taylor, Dave On Film, and Attachment Parenting Blog. Dave is an award-winning speaker, sought after conference and workshop participant and frequent guest on radio and pod programs.
Location
This certificate program will be held in the Boulder Digital Arts Boulder location classroom.
BDA Members
Non-Members
Registration:
BDA Members: $449.00
Non-Members: $479.00
Available Dates
Customer Comments
I feel confident to use social media now. Dave's laid back, gives great examples and ideas, and pays attention to people's goals and situations.CindyRead All Comments
