Content strategy courses prepare students for a fast-paced and exciting career in the world of digital marketing.
As companies continue to turn to content marketing as a way of reaching and engaging their audience, the role of content strategist has become more important than ever.
With a high-quality content strategy training program, students can learn how to polish and prepare content, develop compelling campaigns, and drive sales for clients.
We’ve reviewed several free and paid content marketing strategy courses and certifications to find the top programs in the market.
10 Top Content Strategy Training Courses & Certifications
- Content Strategy for Professionals Specialization
- Reliablesoft Digital Marketing Program
- The Strategy of Content Marketing
- Content Strategy: Build Your Brand from Scratch
- Content Marketing Masterclass
- Meta Certified Creative Strategy Professional
- Promote a Business With Content
- Content Strategy Course: Learn How to Create a Successful Content Strategy
- Meta Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate
- Content Marketing 2023. Content that Sells!
1. Content Strategy for Professionals' Specialization
Developed by Northwestern University, the Content Strategy for Professionals specialization is a 5-course series intended for content marketing beginners.
The program promises insights into in-demand skills taught by university and industry experts.
Successful graduates receive a shareable certificate they can showcase on their LinkedIn profile, as well as various useful downloadable frameworks and resources.
What you’ll learn
Throughout this specialization, students will learn best practices on how to create and implement engaging content strategies across various media platforms.
You’ll discover how to manage content and tell a “content story” for every client.
Plus, there’s a Capstone project included in the course, where you’ll use your skills to create a strategy you can highlight in your portfolio.
The course breaks down into 5 sections, starting with an introduction to the value of engaging audiences.
As you move through each segment, you’ll discover how to manage content once created, use human-centered design tactics, and expand content reach through social networks and emerging tools.
There’s also a section covering the value of using visual content to make a lasting impact on customers.
Cost and Duration
A subscription to Coursera will cost around $49 per month after a 7-day free trial. This course will take approximately 4 months to complete at a pace of 2 hours of study per week.
2. Reliablesoft Digital Marketing Program
One of the most comprehensive content strategy training options on the market today, the Reliablesoft Digital Marketing program covers more than just content strategy.
This comprehensive toolkit includes all the insights digital marketers need to thrive.
Alongside insights into SEO, you’ll also learn about content marketing, social media, keyword research, and more.
Successful graduates receive 2 industry-recognized certifications they can show on their LinkedIn profile or resume.
What you’ll learn
The Reliablesoft Digital Marketing Program includes behind-the-scenes insights into all of the skills content strategists needs, as well as bonus training. There are 13 courses included in the package, with 92 lessons covering 280 topics.
Students will learn how to develop a digital marketing strategy from scratch, optimize their campaigns for search engines, and leverage tools like social media and Facebook Ads.
There are also courses covering content marketing, eCommerce SEO, Google Ads, keyword research, email marketing, and Google Analytics.
Students can even learn how to expand their reach with retargeting, affiliate marketing, and YouTube marketing.
Every course can be taken on your own schedule and is taught by successful digital marketers with extensive industry expertise.
Cost and Duration
The full course bundle from Reliablesoft is now available for $149 and includes a 60-day money-back guarantee.
On average, it takes students two weeks to finish the courses and get certified, but the exact length of the course will depend on the time you commit to study.
3. The Strategy of Content Marketing
Created through a partnership between the UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education group and Copyblogger, the Strategy of Content Marketing teaches students all of the core tactics content marketers use today.
Intended for intermediate-level students with some prior knowledge of content marketing, this fast-paced course includes access to an electronic certificate.
What you’ll learn
This Coursera course is split into 5 sections, covering all of the key skills marketers need to organize and implement a content marketing strategy, assess campaigns, and write compelling copy. You’ll start with an introduction to the content marketing ecosystem.
The initial course covers the importance of content marketing strategies and how to embed branding into content-focused campaigns.
Next, you’ll learn about the Strategic Context 7A framework, which you can apply to your own content strategy.
The third course covers the key steps in mapping a content marketing strategy based on customer journeys, while the fourth course looks at the various types of strategic content you can use in your campaigns.
Finally, students learn how to manage, review, and analyze content to improve future results.
Cost and Duration
This course takes approximately 20 hours to complete, or 5 weeks at 4 hours of study per week.
After an initial 7-day trial on Coursera, a subscription will cost $49 per month. The course can also be audited for free without a certification.
4. Content Strategy: Build Your Brand from Scratch
Taught by brand strategist Laura Busche, this Content strategy training course teaches beginners how to develop a powerful content strategy from scratch.
You’ll discover how to build a content playbook that outlines the pillars and personality of your brand.
Plus, members gain a custom certificate signed by their teacher for every course, which can be shared on social media or portfolio sites.
What you’ll learn
This beginner-friendly training program is split into 5 core sections. Initially, you’ll receive an introduction to the course and your tutor.
Next, you’ll dive into the pillars of content marketing, creating brand storyboards, defining audience personas, and developing brand manifesto and positioning documents.
In the third section of the course, you’ll learn how to define your brand’s personality and experiment with voice.
Next, students discover how to build their own content playbook and leverage editorial calendars to keep their campaigns on track.
Finally, you’ll complete the course by building your own content strategy from scratch, using all of the processes and methodologies you’ve learned.
Cost and Duration
This course costs around $60 to purchase, or users can sign up for a monthly “Domestika Plus” subscription for $9.90 per month.
There are around 2 and a half hours of content to consume, as well as various downloadable resources.
5. Content Marketing Masterclass
The Content Marketing Masterclass from Udemy provides students with the tools and strategies they need to develop high-performing content.
The best-selling course, created by Brand Merill, covers everything from SEO to copywriting and email marketing.
Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate of completion, as well as various downloadable research they can use in future campaigns.
What you’ll learn
This Udemy masterclass is designed to show students how to increase sales, traffic, and brand recognition with content, tuned to the buyer journey.
You’ll learn how to develop new content ideas and use different kinds of content in your campaigns.
Plus, you’ll access insight into how you can collect and analyze data from every content marketing campaign to strengthen your chances of long-term success.
The course is split into 14 sections, covering topics like classic marketing and content marketing fundamentals, web design, and tips for generating ideas.
Students will also learn how to repurpose old content into different formats and enhance their search ranking presence with SEO.
Plus, there’s a robust guide on using different promotional techniques to expand content marketing reach.
Cost and Duration
This course comprises around 3 hours and 46 minutes of video content, with numerous additional articles to read. Users can gain full lifetime access to the course for $64.99.
6. Meta Certified Creative Strategy Professional
Produced by the experts at Meta, the Certified Creative Strategy Professional course is a fast-paced training program for budding content experts.
You’ll receive a study guide, as well as practice tests to prepare you for a final exam.
The program includes various beginner and intermediate-level modules and provides successful students with a Meta-accredited certification upon completion.
What you’ll learn
Intended for students with some prior experience using creative advertising strategies on Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram, this course covers many of the fundamentals of content marketing and planning.
Students will learn how to advertise effectively on mobile platforms to reach wider audiences in the digital world.
As you progress through the lessons and videos, you’ll discover how to use brand voice to communicate with customers and define your audience with robust targeting parameters.
The program also includes insights into tips for Instagram marketing and how to create briefs for other members of a marketing team.
Plus, students will discover how to leverage ad policies effectively and use analytics to examine their marketing results.
Cost and Duration
The course content and certification from Meta are available to access for free. The exam itself takes around 90 minutes to complete. The lessons include a little less than 3 hours of content.
7. Promote a Business With Content
Part of the Google Digital Garage, Promote a Business With Content is a beginner-level course for budding marketers.
The content covers everything students need to know about promoting their business with the power of content.
While this program doesn’t include a certificate, it does provide unlimited access to various videos, downloadable resources, and assessments.
What you’ll learn
Google’s course is split into four modules, starting with an introduction to how you can get a brand noticed on social media.
You’ll learn how to choose the right social media sites and set goals before moving on to the second module to create a long-term social media advertising plan.
The third module covers the emerging trend of video content and how you can use different types of video in your online strategy.
You’ll learn how to create content within your budget, promote content online, and measure video performance.
Finally, in the last module, the course covers all of the basics of content marketing, teaching students how to define their online customers, choose the right types of marketing content, and measure their success with digital analytics.
Cost and Duration
Google’s course takes approximately 3 hours to complete, and each module can be accessed according to your own schedule. The program is entirely free.
8. Content Strategy Course: Learn How to Create a Successful Content Strategy
Created by HubSpot, the Content Strategy Course shows inbound content and marketing professionals how to take full advantage of content to tell an engaging brand story.
You’ll learn how to produce and refine content for every stage of the buyer journey.
This course comes with a globally recognized certification from HubSpot, which you can showcase on your online portfolio or social media profiles.
What you’ll learn
Designed for beginners and growing professionals alike, the HubSpot Content Strategy Course is split into 6 engaging lessons. Each lesson comes with various videos and downloadable resources created by marketing experts.
The program begins with an introduction to the power of storytelling and finding your brand’s voice for content campaigns.
Next, students will learn how to develop a long-term content strategy, optimizing content styles and formats for success.
As you progress through the course, you’ll learn about common content marketing methodologies, such as creating topic clusters and pillar pages for keywords and promoting content through a range of channels.
You’ll also discover the benefits of measuring and analyzing content metrics and developing a “growth marketing” mentality.
Cost and Duration
HubSpot’s course takes around 4 hours to complete, with 6 lessons, 24 videos, and 6 quizzes included. All of the content is free to access.
9. Meta Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate
Another of the top content strategy courses produced by Meta, the Social Media Marketing professional certificate, focuses on using content effectively in the social landscape. It prepares students for roles such as social media manager, content strategist, or digital marketer.
The program includes access to a professional certificate upon completion, as well as resume reviews, interview prep support, and access to the Meta job board. Successful graduates can also earn college credit for further learning.
What you’ll learn
The six-course series from Meta covers everything beginners need to know about developing and using a content marketing strategy on social media.
The program begins with an introduction to the basics of social media marketing and social media management, with step-by-step guidance on building effective campaigns.
You’ll learn about the fundamentals of social media advertising, such as creating powerful paid campaigns and targeting the right audience.
There’s also a behind-the-scenes insight into how to use Meta resources for advertising, as well as measuring and monitoring campaigns.
At the end of the program, students will complete a social media marketing capstone project, where they’ll be asked to present and communicate campaign results to a team.
Cost and Duration
The Meta professional certificate takes around 7 months to complete at a study pace of 3 hours per week.
Students can subscribe for full Coursera access after a 7-day free trial for a price of $49 per month.
10. Content Marketing 2023. Content that Sells!
Updated for the new year, the Content Marketing Strategy Course is a Udemy program taught by Anton Voroniuk.
This training class will teach you everything you need to know to unlock the power of content marketing with tools, tactics, and winning strategies.
Successful graduates will receive a certificate of completion, as well as access to various downloadable resources they can use throughout their careers.
What you’ll learn
The Udemy Content Marketing course teaches beginners how to create a content marketing strategy and plan designed to engage and convert customers.
You’ll learn how to pinpoint your target audience, optimize content for search engine visibility, and analyze the quality of each of your campaigns.
The course is split into 5 sections, starting with introducing the key trends and strategies used in content marketing.
As you progress through the lessons, you’ll learn about the different types of content and their purpose in the buyer journey.
There’s a section dedicated to content marketing for B2B customers, as well as a comprehensive guide to creating your own content plan.
Students also gain access to a bonus lecture covering tips for career growth.
Cost and Duration
This course consists of around 2 hours of content, which can be accessed on-demand by all students. You can try the Udemy personal plan for free or sign up for the course at a price of $44.99.
Are Content Strategy Courses Worth It?
Content has long been among the most valuable tools in any digital marketer’s arsenal. As companies continue to invest in content to drive sales and engage their audience, content strategists are becoming increasingly essential.
The average salary for a content strategist has increased to around $74K in the United States, making this a lucrative career choice for marketing professionals.
With the content strategy courses above, you’ll learn the skills you need to start your new role.
These training resources provide behind-the-scenes insights into everything from finding your target audience to cultivating a compelling brand voice.
You’ll also learn how to build effective marketing strategies and measure their results.
With these programs, students can expand their skills and improve their chances of earning a job offer with leading companies with industry-recognized certificates.
You could even use the knowledge you gain to start your own content strategy business.
Methodology
To find the best content strategy courses and certifications, we reviewed many courses from reputable online training platforms.
To ensure that the selected courses are high-quality, we evaluated each course based on specific criteria. This included the quality of the course content, instructor experience, price, duration, last updated date, and student feedback.
By considering these factors, we were able to curate a list of courses that can help you build job-ready skills and knowledge essential for thriving in the world of content marketing.
