Welcome to the course
Content Marketing
Welcome to Content Marketing. You will learn how blogs, video, podcasts and visuals attract and build trust with customers, and how to plan and distribute them. We start with strategy, then go through writing, recording and editing, and finish with how to measure results. By the end you will have an editorial calendar for a real business.
Start here
Meet your course
Every course opens with a short welcome, so you know what you will build, how the lessons flow and what you will take away. Each lesson ends with a printable worksheet, and the course ends with a final exam and certificate.
What you will be able to do
Skills you will walk away with
This course covers
Content marketing basicsBloggingVideos
- Use blogs, online videos and podcasts to promote a business
- Launch a content marketing campaign
- Attract a bigger audience for your online content
Course roadmap
3 short, focused modules, 19 lessons
Module 1: Content Marketing Basics
Content marketing is about providing relevant, useful information that helps your audience solve a problem. Learn how businesses use it to their advantage.
Lesson 1: Benefits of Content Marketing
- Why content marketing helps grow a business online
- The benefits of adopting a content strategy
- Example: a business that grew through content
- List the benefits you want from content
Lesson 2: Goals
- Why the right goals are critical to success
- How to set goals that drive results
- Example: a content goal tied to a business result
- Set your goals in the content brief template
Lesson 3: Blogging
- The basics of blogging
- How blogs increase visibility and engagement
- Example: a blog that earned traffic
- Outline your blog plan
Lesson 4: Visual Content
- Why visual content is often more effective than text
- Tools and strategies for making it
- Example: a text post versus a visual one
- Plan visual content in the editorial calendar
Lesson 5: Video
- How easy it is now for businesses to make video
- What you need to get started
- Example: a simple business video
- Plan a video in the editorial calendar
Lesson 6: Podcast
- Why podcasts remain an effective way to reach audiences
- How businesses use podcasts
- Example: a business podcast
- Decide if a podcast suits you
Lesson 7: Distribution
- Why you need to know which channels to distribute content on
- How to build a distribution plan
- Example: one piece distributed across channels
- Create your plan in the editorial calendar
Lesson 8: Viral Strategies
- The art and science of making content spread
- The key components of viral content
- Example: content that went viral, and why
- Score your idea with the viral checklist
Module 2: Blogging
Blogging is a popular and cost-effective way to reach your audience online. Learn the steps involved in creating a successful blog.
Lesson 1: Blogging Platforms
- Why choosing the right platform matters
- How to select one for your needs
- Example: choosing a platform
- Compare platforms with the sheet
Lesson 2: Blog Topics
- Why the right topic is the first step to content people love
- How to find topics
- Example: a topic list built from research
- Create your topic list
Lesson 3: Writing Posts
- Why you must understand your audience and goals first
- The full process of writing a post
- Example: a post from brief to publish
- Write with the content brief template
Lesson 4: Blog Images
- How images make posts more interesting and unique
- Where to find and how to use images
- Example: a post with and without strong images
- Choose images with the image checklist
Lesson 5: Editorial Calendar
- Why every content marketer needs an editorial calendar
- How to create and use one
- Example: a month of planned content
- Build yours with the editorial calendar
Module 3: Videos
With video, businesses can connect with audiences on a deeper level and increase the likelihood of viral success. Learn the tools and techniques for creating high-quality videos.
Lesson 1: Recording a Video
- How to record with the tools you already have
- Tips for better lighting, sound and framing
- Example: a video shot on simple equipment
- Record a test video with the checklist
Lesson 2: Creating Videos With Promo
- Why marketers need to know how to create video for a business
- How to create high-quality videos with the tool
- Example: a video made with an online editor
- Create a short video
Lesson 3: Writing a Script
- Why a script that speaks to your audience makes a great video
- How to write one
- Example: a script and the finished video
- Write a script with the template
Lesson 4: Types of Videos
- The types of video businesses use to engage and tell a story
- How to choose one
- Example: a business using several video types
- Pick a video type for your goal
Lesson 5: Uploading to YouTube
- Why YouTube is the industry standard for sharing video
- How to upload and set up a video
- Example: an optimized upload
- Upload with the checklist
Lesson 6: YouTube Video Analytics
- Why you should track performance after uploading
- How to read YouTube analytics
- Example: reading a video report
- Review a video with the analytics sheet
Final exam and certificate
The final exam has 10 multiple-choice questions. Pass with 80 percent to unlock your certificate and a LinkedIn-ready badge. You can retake it as often as you like.
How every lesson works
Four short sections, built around real examples
1
Learn the concept
A clear, focused introduction to one idea, with no filler.
2
See real examples
Strong and weak examples, plus the data behind them.
3
Study an example
A realistic scenario, or a real-world case study where noted, that shows the idea in action.
4
Apply it and download
Build your own version using a worksheet or template you keep.
Free downloadable takeaway
Editorial calendar and content brief template
A reusable editorial calendar plus a content brief template to brief writers and designers.
Every lesson has a printable worksheet, and the playbook gathers them all in one document. Print it or save it as a PDF, then use it in your job search, freelance projects or your own marketing.
Free template
Editorial calendar and content brief template
Certification
Pass the final exam. Earn your certificate.
- A 10-question multiple-choice final exam that covers every module
- Pass with 80 percent. Retake it as often as you like
- A certificate with a verification code, plus a LinkedIn-ready badge and an Add to LinkedIn button
A
Certificate of completion
Content Marketing
Awarded to you by Acadium
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Quick answers
Course questions
Is this course really free?
Yes. Acadium courses are free to take.
How long does it take?
You learn at your own pace. Lessons are short and focused, so they fit around work or school.
How do I get my certificate?
Finish the lessons, then take the final exam. Pass with 80 percent and your certificate appears straight away, with a verification code, an Add to LinkedIn button and a downloadable badge.
Can this help me get an apprenticeship?
Yes. Finishing courses and building a portfolio helps you stand out to mentors when you apply for a remote apprenticeship.