In digital marketing, strategies and best practices are constantly changing. And although we’re all busy trying to make marketing magic happen, sometimes we need to step away from the daily grind to learn something new. Whether you're more experienced and need to upgrade your tech-savvy or you're young and eager, looking to find the why behind the best practice. Maybe you are somewhere in the middle, jockeying for your next big win for the team. Online learning is the staple of 21st-century personal improvement, helping you get better at doing what you do.
Ever since LinkedIn bought Lynda.com in 2015, LinkedIn Learning has become the go-to platform for professional development. With the growth in the forum, the variety of contributors have driven value, new ideas, and insight from what these courses offer. There's no shortage of content for various aspects of digital marketing; all brought to you by experts from some of the top companies in the world.
As a digital marketing agency that is constantly keeping our swords sharp for battle, we've been digging into LinkedIn Learning a variety of courses. Here are six of many that we've found particularly inspiring. Our picks run the gamut, ranging from theoretical to practical. Take a look and find something that inspires you to learn and step up your game.
1. How to Tell Stories That Win Market Share
Who it’s perfect for: Brand inspiration seekers
Time commitment: 24 minutes
How does storytelling play into your business? In nearly every aspect, these industry experts suggest. In this course, hear the perspectives of five marketing experts about how everyone can use the power of story to build their brand. With words from executive Beth Comstock, entrepreneur Oliver Luckett, Contently cofounder Shane Snow, creative director Ken Segall and CEO Chip Conley, this brief video will inspire you to think differently about storytelling.
2. Illustrator 2021 New Features
Who it’s perfect for: Graphic designers
Time commitment: 51 minutes
While this course may soon be outdated and replaced with the latest and greatest, our graphic designers have loved learning about all of the new features Adobe Illustrator has to offer. If you have a design task that’s tedious and time-consuming, chances are there’s a newer, easier way to do it. That’s where learning about the software’s latest tools really pays off. In this course, instructor Tony Harmer walks you through the newest features on both desktop and iPad for 2021. If it’s been a while since you last freshened up your Illustrator knowledge, here’s your chance.
3. Writing Emails People Want to Read
Who it’s perfect for: Anyone developing an email marketing strategy
Time commitment: 57 minutes
We know that email marketing is incredibly effective and offers above-average ROI among other marketing tools. So it pays to understand the latest best practices to milk your email strategy for all its worth. Whether you’re an email marketing whiz or just someone who’s been tasked with starting an email campaign at your business, this course is helpful for all levels. Samantha Bennett, a bestselling author and communications consultant, breaks down types of emails, how to write clearly and directly, the importance of personalization and how to write compelling calls to action.
4. Learning Conversion Copywriting
Who it’s perfect for: Copywriters who want to try something new
Time commitment: 1 hour, 13 minutes
For copywriters, it’s easy to think that all you have to do is write something that sounds nice. But when it comes to driving customers to take action, sometimes sounding nice doesn’t cut it. In this course, copy guru Joanna Wiebe of Copyhackers shares her signature technique: conversion copywriting. This technique is all about using the voice of your customers (which she calls VOC data) to speak directly to their pain points and provide a solution that can help. She offers a step-by-step process and helpful formulas that get you thinking differently about the way you write marketing copy.
5. How to Set Goals When Everything Feels Like a Priority
Who it’s perfect for: Anyone who’s overwhelmed
Time commitment: 15 minutes
We all know what it’s like to have too many things on our plates and little idea of where to start. Our days can so easily fill with a to-do list set by others, leaving almost no room to set and achieve goals of our own. As a busy digital marketing agency, this is something we’re always working against. This course is super helpful in guiding time management for anyone who’s feeling a little overwhelmed. Dorie Clark, a best-selling author and professor of business administration at Duke University, shares techniques on prioritizing and decision-making, even when you feel a little unsure. At 15 minutes, it’s short and sweet. (Clearly, Dorie knows her busy audience.)
6. Consumer Behavior Trends: Meet the Postmodern Consumer
Who it’s perfect for: Curious marketing strategists
Time commitment: 1 hour, 5 minutes
This audio-only course challenges you to rethink what you know about consumers and their identities. While most marketers seek to segment consumers into broad categories, instructor Michael R. Solomon suggests that this approach is too simplistic for the modern consumer. He advocates for a more nuanced understanding of consumers that moves away from traditional categories. If you’re looking for a thought-provoking look at today’s consumer trends, give this one a listen.
Need more digital marketing learning in your life? Check out the PRIME Pulse blog for the latest digital marketing trends, opinions and how-to guides.
If you enjoyed this edition of PRIME Pulse, take a look at some of our other related articles:
- LinkedIn Learning: The Tool That Will Change Your Work Game
- The Ultimate Digital Marketing Dictionary
- 5 Digital Marketing Goals to Set for the New Year
