What is a Digital Marketing Bootcamp and How to Find the Best One

According to a Gartner forecast, 80% of business-to-business (B2B) interactions will occur through digital channels by 2025. It’s easy to expect, then, that as businesses build new digital capabilities, the demand for qualified digital marketing professionals is going to skyrocket. In fact, over 2021–2031, about 35,300 job openings for advertising and marketing professionals are projected each year in the U.S. alone. Hence, now is the ideal time for aspirants to acquire industry-specific skills in digital marketing, and a bootcamp is a great way to do so. But what is a digital marketing bootcamp exactly? It’s a short, affordable crash course (of a few weeks or months) that covers the fundamentals of digital marketing and key industry topics to help learners acquire in-demand skills. 

In this article, we will cover important details related to digital marketing bootcamps to help aspiring professionals choose the right course to advance their careers. 

Digital Marketing Bootcamp Experience

Digital marketing bootcamps typically do not carry any prerequisites for candidate experience. Most of these programs are accessible to beginners, although some universities may prefer applicants with relevant expertise in disciplines closely related to marketing. Since digital marketing shares skills with roles across various industries, many learners discover that their professional background has already prepared them to participate in a bootcamp. 

Digital Marketing Bootcamp Benefits

Besides strengthening foundational knowledge and skills, a digital marketing bootcamp can provide the following benefits to learners: 

Networking

Networking with other marketing professionals can be accomplished through digital marketing bootcamps. You can meet other marketers who want to develop their skills by attending an in-person/online training event. To gain more tips and insights into how digital marketing works, you can also interact with the instructors. As you seek out various positions and clients during your career, the connections you build can prove beneficial. 

Career Assistance

Along with its curriculum, a reputable digital marketing bootcamp provides additional career services. To assist students in finding jobs in digital marketing, many well-known bootcamp providers have a large network of hiring partners. Additionally, these bootcamps may also provide services, such as help with writing resumes and interview preparation, as a part of career assistance. 

Structured Learning

The learning format for digital marketing bootcamps is more similar to traditional education methods than currently available online courses. The learners have scheduled times for their lessons, projects, and coaching sessions. This structured and organized approach to learning helps students better understand the course and gain in-depth knowledge.

ALSO READ: How do You Successfully Start a Digital Marketing Agency?

How do You Pick a Digital Marketing Bootcamp?

Now that you know what is a digital marketing bootcamp, along with its benefits, let’s move on to the factors to keep in mind when selecting one that aligns with your goals. 

1. Curriculum

A comprehensive curriculum will provide knowledge on campaign development across key digital channels and explore the significant role of digital marketing in sales conversion funnels. You gain knowledge of the fundamentals of content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, search engine optimization, and search engine marketing. Additionally, you learn to harness in-demand tools like Google Analytics and Google Ads. 

Therefore, the choice of the curriculum should be made depending on what topics you want to master. 

2. Instructor Knowledge

Select bootcamps that are conducted by established digital marketers with robust industry experience. Target programs that offer frequent one-on-one meetings with a knowledgeable mentor who is invested in your success as a student and a job seeker. 

3. Schedule

How much time can you commit to a bootcamp program? Can you restructure your schedule around regular in-person classes or do you need the flexibility provided by online courses? These are some of the questions you need to ask yourself before enrolling in a program. 

4. Price and Payment Options

Do you have a flexible budget? Are you in a financial position to pay for a course upfront or do you require a pricing plan? Consider the budget and cost alternatives before finalizing a Bootcamp. 

5. Reviews and Reputation

As you apply filters to narrow down options, be sure to closely examine course ratings and reviews as well. A course with many ratings will be more trustworthy, so be cautious when enrolling in a Bootcamp with fewer reviews. Moreover, browse through the student feedback to understand what former students found helpful or struggled within the course. 

6. Job Placement Support

If your goal is to launch a digital marketing career, you should give priority to courses that offer job placement assistance after the Bootcamp is completed. Programs that place a strong emphasis on networking, offer experienced mentors, provide round-the-clock student support, and connect learners with one-to-one career advisors can help you get placed in top organizations. 

ALSO READ: How to Learn Digital Marketing and be an Effective Marketer

How Much do Digital Marketing Bootcamps Cost?

The cost of a digital marketing Bootcamp usually ranges between $2,000 and $15,000in the U.S. This price may vary depending on the duration of the program, course reputation, and the topics covered. 

Best Digital Marketing Bootcamps at Emeritus

Emeritus, in association with leading global universities, offers a wide selection of online digital marketing courses to help you obtain a good grasp of crucial concepts and master industry-relevant skills. Some of our best digital marketing boot camps to advance your career include:

• Digital Marketing Intensive by Columbia Business School
• Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing by Imperial College
• Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing by Kellogg Executive Education

ALSO READ: Is Digital Marketing a Good Career Option? Here’s What You Need to Know

Are Digital Marketing Bootcamps Worth It?

Judging by the range of benefits that digital marketing boot camps offer, enrolling in one is definitely worth it! Attending a digital marketing boot camp is an efficient way to pick up in-demand digital marketing skills quickly and build a portfolio to showcase your expertise. Moreover, for learners looking to master valuable skills without quitting their job or dedicating themselves to a full-time university program, an online digital marketing Bootcamp is an effective alternative. 

By Rupam Deb 

Write to us at content@emeritus.org