AB
August 15, 2025 | Alberta
You already speak fluent TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. The real unlock is turning that fluency into strategy—learning how to build brands, grow communities, and drive results you can measure.
If you’re passionate about sharing your thoughts and life and someone who loves creating, analyzing, and connecting online, social media marketing can be your launchpad into a creative, in-demand career.
This blog post will give you a complete rundown on what a social media marketing course entails and the skills you’ll gain.
What is Social Media Marketing?
Social media marketing is how businesses use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Snapchat, and Reddit to build awareness, engage audiences, and convert attention into action—clicks, sign-ups, or sales. It blends storytelling with data: you plan campaigns, produce content, run ads, and then analyze what worked so you can do it better next time.
It’s bigger than just “posting.” It includes brand strategy, community management, content calendars, paid advertising, search engine marketing (SEM), search engine optimization (SEO), and analytics. Done well, social media marketing makes a brand feel human—and makes the marketer a trusted voice between the business and its community.
Bonus Read: What is Social Media Marketing?
What Skills You Need to Step into Entry-Level Roles
Alberta has a thriving business landscape, and many companies are looking for skilled digital marketers. To land an entry-level role, employers look for a mix of hard and soft skills.
Hard Skills
|
Skill |
Description |
|
Content Creation & Management |
Ability to create engaging text, images, and videos, plus organize a content calendar effectively. |
|
Platform Proficiency |
In-depth knowledge of using major social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok) for business purposes. |
|
Analytics |
Understanding and using tools to track performance, measure results, and make data-driven decisions. |
|
Advertising |
Familiarity with planning and managing paid advertising campaigns on social media. |
Soft Skills
|
Skill |
Description |
|
Creativity |
Thinking outside the box to generate fresh, innovative ideas. |
|
Communication |
Strong written and verbal communication skills for engaging with audiences and teams. |
|
Adaptability |
Ability to quickly learn and adjust to new trends and platform changes in the fast-evolving social media landscape. |
|
Problem-Solving |
Analyzing campaign performance and troubleshooting issues to improve results. |
Common entry-level titles you’ll see in Alberta include Social Media Coordinator, Social Media Specialist, Brand Ambassador, Digital Media Marketing Assistant, and Digital Media Sales—roles focused on execution, content, and campaign support as you build your experience.
What is Social Media Marketing Courses?
Social Media Marketing Course Foundation
A strong course gives you both breadth and depth so you can move from “I like social media” to “I can drive results.” Expect to learn:
|
Course Module |
Description |
|
Core Digital Marketing |
Learn brand strategy, goal setting, audience personas, content planning, and how social media integrates into the broader marketing mix. |
|
Platform Mastery |
Gain hands-on experience with Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Snapchat, and Reddit—understanding audience behavior, content formats, and advertising options. |
|
Content Strategy & Creation |
Develop skills in writing for different tones and goals, knowing what to post (and avoid), and managing brand reputation through thoughtful responses to criticism. |
|
Paid Media & SEM |
Understand PPC fundamentals, keyword research, bidding strategies, campaign setup, and how SEO and SEM work together to boost visibility and growth. |
|
Analytics & Reporting |
Learn to measure key metrics, define KPIs, use dashboards, and connect campaign performance to business outcomes like leads and sales. |
|
Web & E‑Commerce Basics |
Explore how to build search-friendly websites, integrate social media, and connect CRM and analytics tools for a cohesive digital strategy. |
Skills You’ll Gain: CDI College Social Media and Web Marketing Diploma Course
The Social Media and Web Marketing Diploma Program at CDI College is a great example of a course designed to prepare you for this career. The program is 65 weeks long and gives you the opportunity to prepare for industry certifications like Meta Blueprint and Google Ads. It combines classroom learning with practical application, including a 100-hour practicum or a capstone project that gives you real-world experience.
The curriculum is comprehensive, covering a wide range of topics:
- Foundation Skills: You'll start with essential business skills like writing, communication, and Microsoft Office to give you a strong base.
- Digital Marketing Fundamentals: You will learn the core principles of digital marketing, strategic web design, and an introduction to search engine marketing.
- Social Media Platforms: The program has in-depth courses on major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn, as well as an introduction to other platforms like Snapchat and Reddit.
- Advanced Marketing & Analytics: You’ll dive into more complex topics like analytics, advanced SEO, content marketing, video marketing, and customer relationship management (CRM).
- Practical Application: The program culminates in a final capstone project and career and employment strategies to help you successfully enter the workforce.
How to Prepare While You’re Still in High School
You don’t have to wait until you graduate to start building your skills. Here’s what you can do now:
- Start a Personal Brand: Choose a topic you’re passionate about—whether it’s fitness, art, or gaming—and create a social media account for it. Practice creating content, engaging with followers, and using analytics tools.
- Volunteer for Local Businesses: Offer to manage the social media for a family friend’s business, a local non-profit, or even your school club. This will give you hands-on experience and something tangible to put on a resume.
- Take Online Courses and Certifications: Websites like Hootsuite, HubSpot Academy, and Google Skillshop offer free and low-cost courses on digital marketing basics.
- Stay Informed: Follow industry blogs and podcasts to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and changes. Social media is dynamic, and continuous learning is key.
Final thoughts
You don’t need permission to start—you need momentum. If you’re curious, creative, and willing to learn from data, you can build a real career in social media marketing.
Start small, track everything, and ship work you’re proud of. When you’re ready to formalize your skills, a structured program with practicum experience, certification prep, and career support—like CDI College’s Social Media and Web Marketing Diploma—can help you turn your drive into a confident, job-ready portfolio.
