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Social Media Marketing (Short Course)

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Free Social Media Marketing Course

Study online with Oxford Home Study Centre and build foundational knowledge of social media marketing through flexible online learning. We provide enrolment, course access and learning materials without a course fee. This Level 1 course provides 20 hours of study, is ongoing and has no entry requirements.

You can compare other marketing subjects through our full online course catalogue. For broader subject study, explore our marketing courses online or compare free marketing courses and choose an option that matches your learning interests.

This course provides an introduction to social media and its role in marketing. You will explore the marketing mix, the Five Ps, social media planning, digital presence and community building, followed by introductory coverage of platforms and channels including Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, blogs, vlogs, You Tube and specialty sites.

About the Course

Social media has become an important channel for organisations communicating with audiences online. Understanding how social platforms fit within a wider marketing plan is useful for anyone beginning to explore digital communication, content and online community building.

The course begins with the fundamentals of social media and the marketing mix before moving into planning and practical platform topics. The syllabus is introductory, giving you a structured starting point for understanding how social media can contribute to a broader digital presence.

Who Is This Course For?

This course can suit beginners and learners who want to understand the fundamentals of social media marketing. It may be useful for:

Beginners exploring social media marketing for the first time.
Small business owners who want to understand social media basics.
Learners interested in online communication and digital presence.
Students exploring marketing concepts and social media channels.
Anyone looking for a short, flexible online introduction to social media marketing.

Free Study and Flexible Online Access

We provide free enrolment, online course access and learning materials, so you can begin studying without paying a course fee. The course is ongoing and self-paced, allowing you to organise the 20-hour study commitment around your existing responsibilities. Certification is optional and purchased separately after successful completion; review our current certificate options and prices before ordering.

You can study from any location with suitable online access and return to the course content as you work through the topics. This makes the short course a practical starting point if you want to build foundational knowledge before exploring more detailed marketing study.

Understanding Social Media Marketing

Effective social media activity starts with understanding the audience, the purpose of the communication and how the chosen platform fits into the wider marketing plan. Social media should not be treated as an isolated activity; it works alongside other elements of marketing and digital communication.

The course introduces this wider context through the marketing mix and social media planning before looking at individual platforms. This helps you consider why a business might use different channels rather than focusing only on the mechanics of posting content.

Further Marketing Learning

If you want to continue developing your marketing knowledge, explore our free marketing courses, compare broader marketing courses online, or browse the full online course catalogue to review other subjects and study routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Social Media Marketing course free to study?

Yes. We provide free enrolment, online access and learning materials. Any certificate is optional and purchased separately after successful completion.

What does the course cover?

The course covers social media, the marketing mix, the Five Ps, social media planning, digital presence, community building and a range of social media and content channels.

How long is the course?

The stated study duration is 20 hours. It is delivered online and is ongoing.

Do I need previous marketing experience?

No entry requirements are listed, so the course can suit beginners who want to explore social media marketing.

Which platforms are covered?

The syllabus includes Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, blogs, vlogs and You Tube, as well as specialty sites.

Can I purchase a certificate after completing the course?

Yes. After successful completion, you can choose to purchase an optional certificate separately. Review our current certificate options and prices before ordering.

Learning Outcomes

By completing the course, you can develop an understanding of:

The role of social media within a marketing plan.
How the marketing mix and Five Ps relate to social media.
How to approach the initial stages of developing a social media plan.
Ways to expand a digital presence through different online channels.
Introductory uses of Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, blogs, vlogs, You Tube and specialty sites.
Basic considerations for building an online community.

Free Study and Optional Certification

You can enrol on Social Media Marketing (Short Course), access the online learning materials and complete the course without paying a course fee. Certification is optional and available separately after successful completion.

You may choose to purchase:

QLS-endorsed Certificate of Achievement
CPD-accredited certificate issued by the CPD Standards Office as a record of continuing professional development

You can order either certificate individually or purchase both for the same completed course. Buying one does not require you to buy the other.

Each certificate has its own price, and the total payable may vary according to the certificates selected, course level, format and delivery option. View our current certificate options and prices.

Certification is entirely optional and is not required to access the materials or complete the course.

Course Content

Topics Covered in the Course

This free social media marketing course covers the following topics:

1. What is Social Media?

Explore the meaning and role of social media as part of modern online communication.

2. Understanding the Marketing Mix

Consider how social media relates to wider marketing principles and planning.

3. The Five P’s and Social Media

Explore the relationship between the Five Ps and social media activity.

Product

Examine product as a component of the marketing mix.

Price

Consider price within the wider marketing mix.

Place

Explore place and its relationship with marketing activity.

Promotion

Examine promotion and how it connects with social media communication.

Packaging

Consider packaging as part of the marketing mix.

4. Developing a Social Media Plan

Learn about the initial stages of planning social media activity.

5. Utilization Guidelines

Explore guidelines for using social media appropriately within a marketing context.

6. Expanding Your Digital Presence

Consider ways social media can contribute to a wider online presence.

7. What’s the Value?

Explore the value of social media as part of marketing activity.

8. Using Facebook

Examine Facebook as a social media platform within the course content.

9. Building Your Community

Explore approaches to building and developing an online community.

10. Using Linked In

Consider Linked In and its role as a professional social platform.

11. Using Twitter

Explore Twitter as a social media channel.

12. Building a Blog

Understand the role of blogs within an online presence.

13. Vlogs and You Tube

Explore video-based communication through vlogs and You Tube.

14. Using Specialty Sites

Consider the use of specialist social media sites and channels.

How It Works

Build your knowledge through clear and accessible online learning.

Complete the assignments and achieve the required marks.

Choose an optional certificate after completing the course.

Why Choose a Certificate?

An optional certificate provides a clear record of successful course completion. Add it to your learning portfolio and share it where relevant.

Completing the course and its assessments shows your commitment to developing subject knowledge through focused, independent learning.

Use your new knowledge to support further study, workplace development or personal goals. A certificate records completion but does not guarantee employment or professional status.