Starting a Digital Marketing Certificate program
Last week I began a Digital Marketing Science Certificate Program offered through UNC-Charlotte! I’m excited to add professional certifications to my resume under the guidance of real working marketing professionals. I have understood and practiced some basics of social media marketing, SEO optimization, and web development before entering this course, but I am most eager to learn about data-driven decision making in the marketing and communications world. What data are we able to collect, how are we collecting that data in a secure and transparent way, what tools are being used to collect data, and most importantly … how do we use that data to move forward? Already in the “Introduction to Digital Marketing” module, I’ve learned
ideas for understanding your audience through development of customer personas
structuring value propositions and goals
using targeted KPIs to assess goal achievement
using the right channels to meet the customer along every step of the buying and loyalty journey
This course includes weekly, interactive live sessions on Zoom. The first question we had to consider was “What makes a brand stand out to you?”
As we brainstormed, ideas like clever messaging, relatability, style and design, and “the cute factor” were all mentioned (it’s true, puppies will help your product sell better). When I think of brands, organizations, and artists that I am personally drawn to, I think of Austin Kleon, DropoutTV, Starship Bagels, Hayley Williams, and Infinity Song. These artists and brands each differ in their aesthetics. Where some feel like vintage cartoons, some embrace punk rock sensibilities, others feel more folksy. What connects these artists and brands is a sense of nostalgia which resonates with me deeply. I love sleek and clean minimalism because it’s aspirational, but I honestly connect with something that feels warmer. In this moment, too, I think a vintage feel seems real, seems tangible, and seems authentic as I start to see more AI homogenization in online spaces.
I’m excited to keep asking questions, learning about professional digital marketing practices, and learning about myself along the way. Upon completion of this course, I will receive certificates in digital marketing science, Google Ads, Google Analytics, and HubSpot email marketing.
I should think of a clever sign off for these blog posts …
… TBD
Alex
