Best Social Media Marketing Bootcamps

Coding bootcamps are short-term, intensive tech education programs. Some people enroll in a social media marketing (or digital marketing) bootcamp to get new skills to help them succeed in their current job. Others use a bootcamp to start an entirely new career.

Social media is an increasingly important part of many organizations' marketing strategies. Demand for skilled digital marketers will likely continue to grow as companies increase their online presences. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that business (which includes the subdiscipline of marketing) was the most popular major for postsecondary students in 2019-20.

This program guide offers a great place to start your social media marketing bootcamp search.

What Is a Social Media Marketing Bootcamp?

Social media marketing bootcamps cover topics like digital marketing, data analytics, search engine optimization, and social media platforms. These tech-focused programs offer hands-on training and career-relevant skill-building.

Digital marketing bootcamps take place online and in person. Participants can study full time, part time, or in a self-paced format. Independent providers offer some programs, while universities deliver others. The average full-time bootcamp program lasts about 13 weeks and the average part-time program takes about 24 weeks.

Unlike short, informational courses, bootcamps aim to give students the skills and knowledge required for entry-level positions in social media and digital marketing. Bootcamps typically demand a much shorter time commitment than associate or bachelor's degrees. Bootcamps may also be less expensive than many traditional college programs.

Skills Learned in Social Media Marketing Bootcamps

Social media marketing bootcamps can help students develop key soft skills in communication, collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving. Participants also learn how project managementand writing skills can boost a social media marketing career. Below, we describe some of the most important social media marketing skills.

• Strategic Planning: Students learn to develop social media plans to meet company goals. These strategies may include ways to gain new followers on various platforms or raise audience engagement with social media posts.
• Data Analysis: Social media marketers should know how to work with social media data analytics. These analytical skills can help them gain insight into how effective a marketing strategy is. Students learn to use tools like Google Analytics. They also master concepts like conversion tracking and behavior analysis.
• Content Creation and Management: Students learn how to create and manage social media content for various organizations. They shoot videos, take photos, and write copy for social media posting. They also explore how to tailor content based on platform and audience. Social media marketing also entails managing audience engagement with social media postings.
• Digital Marketing/Advertising: Bootcamp participants learn the ins and outs of digital marketing and advertising. Key skill areas include customer relationship management, paid search advertising, paid social media advertising, and marketing automation. Other aspects of digital marketing include measurement and optimization, organic social media, and search engine optimization.

What Will a Social Media Marketing Bootcamp Cost?

The price of social media marketing bootcamps varies by program provider, format, and length. A 2019 survey of tech bootcamps found the median cost to be $11,900. This is a significant amount, but may be substantially less than the cost of a four-year college degree.

Make sure you consider the total cost of a digital marketing bootcamp, not just the tuition price. Think about expenses like required materials and software, application fees, and prep courses. Financing options for digital marketing bootcamps may include private student loans, payment plans, and scholarships. Many programs offer a discount to learners who can pay the full bill upfront.

Some bootcamps provide job guarantees that let participants pay nothing upfront. These options often require students to sign an income share agreement, in which students commit to pay a certain percentage of their salary for a set period of time once they find a job.

• Get more details about bootcamp costs
• Learn how to pay for a coding bootcamp
• Explore financial aid and scholarship options
• How do income-share agreements work?

What Jobs Can I Get After a Social Media Marketing Bootcamp?

Social media marketing bootcamps can prepare participants for new careers in tech. Potential jobs include social media marketer, social media director, digital marketing strategist, and public relations specialist. Below, we describe some popular careers for digital marketing bootcamp graduates, including average salary, job outlook, and typical tasks.

Social Media Marketing Manager

Social media marketing managers oversee an organization's social media presence. Typical tasks include creating content, analyzing social media trends, and generating audience engagement. These professionals need content management, online marketing, and marketing communications skills.

Some employers prefer social media marketing managers with a bachelor's degree, but a social media marketing bootcamp can also prepare students for this job.

Average Annual Salary: $57,450

Job Outlook (2020-30): N/A

Social Media Director

Social media directors shape their organization's social media strategies and direction. They use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to build brand awareness and engage with customers. Job duties include developing social media policies, training colleagues on social media best practices, and creating social media reports.

Average Annual Salary: $79,130

Job Outlook (2020-30): N/A

Digital Marketing Strategist

These professionals oversee digital marketing strategies for their employers or clients. They develop and implement marketing strategies across digital channels and manage advertising partnerships. They also create reports and track analytics. Prospective digital marketing strategists can gain many required skills in a social media marketing bootcamp.

Average Annual Salary: $53,550

Job Outlook (2020-30): N/A

Public Relations Specialist

Public relations specialists manage their clients' public images. Employers often prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree, but a social media marketing bootcamp can provide good preparation for many positions. A typical day may include writing press releases, assessing advertising campaigns, and meeting with clients.

Median Annual Salary: $62,800

Job Outlook (2020-30): +8%

Other Computer Science Education Options

The computer science field offers many education opportunities. Someone considering a social media marketing bootcamp may decide to pursue some of these options instead of or in addition to a bootcamp.

Computer science degrees focus on more technical skills than the typical digital marketing bootcamp. Some employers prefer or require a college degree, so pursuing a traditional college program may widen your available job pool.

Associate Degree in Computer Science: An associate degree allows learners to explore the computer science field without committing to a four-year program. Students can often transfer credits to a bachelor's program if they decide to pursue it.

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science: A bachelor's degree in computer science can prepare students for many entry-level tech careers. This credential may lead to a wider variety of job possibilities than a digital marketing bootcamp.

Master's Degree in Computer Science: A computer science master's makes sense for people who already have a bachelor's in a related field. A master's degree can help graduates qualify for higher-level positions in tech.

Ph.D. in Computer Science: Most students who pursue a Ph.D. in computer science do so to develop a high level of expertise in the field. Many go on to teach or conduct university research.

Explore Other Bootcamps: Students may decide that another bootcamp makes more sense than a social media marketing bootcamp. Consider your career goals and what types of skills you want to learn before you choose a bootcamp.

Best Bootcamps for Social Media Marketing

Bootcamps are intensive programs designed to start you on a specific career path. Many last several weeks and require a full-time commitment. Not all bootcamps offer a social media course. Some programs include it as a module in a related program like digital marketing. Keep reading to explore our alphabetical list of the most popular social media marketing bootcamps in the U.S.

Bootcamps offered in partnership with Trilogy Education Services

Trilogy Education Services brings together universities, organizations, and working professionals by providing in-demand digital skills training.Trilogy partners with over 45 universities from around the world to empower adult learners.

• Arizona State University
• Columbia University
• The George Washington University
• Georgia Tech
• Michigan State
• Rice University
• University of California, Berkeley
• University of California, Davis
• University of California, Irvine
• University of Central Florida
• University of Denver
• University of Kansas
• University of Minnesota
• University of Wisconsin
• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• The University of Texas at Austin
• University of Miami
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Vanderbilt University

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Media Marketing

Will a digital marketing bootcamp get me a job?

A digital marketing bootcamp can prepare students to apply for various social media and marketing positions. Some social media marketing bootcamps offer job placement assistance or a job guarantee.

How much does a digital marketing bootcamp cost?

The cost of a digital marketing bootcamp varies by program provider, length, and format. When researching prices, consider the total bootcamp cost, including tuition, required materials, application fees, and prep courses.

What qualifications do I need for social media marketing?

Common qualifications for social media marketing jobs include skills in data analysis, social media management, content creation, and creativity. Project management, communication, and writing skills are also important.

Do social media marketers need a degree?

Specifications for social media marketing jobs vary by position and employer. Some require a bachelor's degree, but a social media marketing bootcamp is enough in some cases. If you can prove that you hold the necessary skills you may have a good shot at landing a job.