Social media advertising and marketing is plenty of work. It’s a fast-paced trade that rapidly evolves by the point you be taught a brand new talent, development, or platform replace. Whether or not you’re a marketer, a content material creator, or a enterprise proprietor, understanding social media includes a spread of abilities that require you to at all times be studying.
To hone these abilities, I’ve put collectively a complete record of social media advertising and marketing sources.
From blogs to templates to programs, if you happen to’re questioning the best way to be taught social media advertising and marketing, these sources will speed up your information.
Desk of Contents
The right way to Study Social Media Advertising and marketing: 33 Free Sources
Social Media Advertising and marketing Blogs
Social media advertising and marketing is a science involving particular communication abilities. And the panorama adjustments consistently.
Among the best methods to develop your social media prowess and to remain up-to-date is to observe specialists within the discipline. These blogs are at all times recent with actionable data you should use to enhance your advertising and marketing:
1. Social Media Examiner
Since 2009, Social Media Examiner has been one of many high social media blogs on the planet. The web site publishes common weblog content material with invaluable ideas and insights. The web site additionally places collectively social media experiences crammed with all of the vital knowledge social entrepreneurs need.
What I like: Along with its weblog, Social Media Examiner additionally shares a publication that goes out 3 times per week, a number of podcasts, and a YouTube channel. So it doesn’t matter what studying format you favor, Social Media Examiner makes its content material accessible.
2. Social Media In the present day
I usually flip to Social Media In the present day to seek out out the newest information within the social media trade. This web site is probably the most news-driven useful resource on this record, usually sharing tales about platform updates, traits, or trade adjustments.
Greatest for: Staying on high of platform information and updates.
3. Sprout Social
Chances are you’ll know Sprout Social as a social media administration platform, however it additionally produces a value-packed weblog. I like Sprout Social’s weblog for its data-driven content material that focuses on high-level technique. Sprout Social additionally produces value-packed experiences on the social media panorama with insights that social media managers can use to refine their methods.
Greatest for: Social media strategists, groups, and businesses that wish to discover ways to enhance technique, arrange higher workflows, and talk social efficiency with shareholders.
4. HubSpot Advertising and marketing Weblog
Proper right here on the HubSpot Advertising and marketing Weblog, you’ll find actionable how-to guides on each social community there may be. The HubSpot Advertising and marketing Weblog crew covers every part from greatest practices and techniques for various social channels to put up concepts to real-life experiments and examples. Earlier than I even wrote for HubSpot, I personally turned to the Advertising and marketing Weblog all through my profession after I needed to study a brand new social media subject.
What I like: Along with useful weblog content material, HubSpot gives numerous free templates, ebooks, and even programs so you’ll be able to put your learnings into motion immediately.
Social Media Templates
I don’t learn about you, however utilizing templates is the best approach for me to be taught a brand new talent. Templates are hands-on whereas nonetheless guiding you thru a brand new course of. Listed here are just a few templates I like to recommend utilizing as you’re studying social media advertising and marketing.
5. Social Media Content material Calendar Template
Earlier than you load your social media content material right into a publishing instrument (HubSpot has one, whenever you‘re prepared for it), you’ll wish to arrange all of it in an offline calendar. This free template lets you type your social media content material in a spreadsheet that is designed that will help you monitor the day, time, and social media channel on which every part you create is being promoted.
Greatest for: I like to recommend utilizing this template together with HubSpot’s scheduling instrument for a seamless publishing course of.
6. Social Media Marketing campaign Templates
An surprising a part of social media advertising and marketing is managing a price range. This social media marketing campaign template helps you monitor your marketing campaign price range to verify it aligns along with your month-to-month and annual advertising and marketing budgets.
What I like: As somebody who doesn’t have a ton of expertise managing marketing campaign budgets, I like that this template is beginner-friendly.
7. Airtable’s Social Media Planning and Design Template
As soon as you have organized your social media calendar right into a spreadsheet, you may additionally wish to load this content material right into a undertaking administration platform so you’ll be able to visually plan your content material. Airtable is one such platform that will help you try this, and this free template makes it simple to get began.
8. Social Media Picture Templates
It is well-known that visuals get extra engagement on social media than simply textual content. Get your designs off on the correct foot with this assortment of social media picture templates. There are over 50 templates included for Instagram, Fb, Twitter (X), and LinkedIn.
Greatest for: I like that the templates are in Google Slides which makes them simple to edit and customise, even with out graphic design expertise.
9. Instagram Templates for Enterprise
Instagram is probably the most image-focused social channel on the market, and due to that, not simply any picture will attain your viewers. To chop by way of the crowds, use this assortment of Instagram templates to create brand-aligned posts that resonate along with your viewers.
What I like: The package deal consists of templates for tales and posts.
Social Media Advertising and marketing Ebooks
Wish to dive deeper right into a social media greatest observe or technique? These ebooks will present professional insights on particular channels and matters.
10. The right way to Use Instagram for Enterprise
This step-by-step information explains the explanations to create a enterprise Instagram account and the best way to execute on Instagram to drive outcomes. Instagram professional Jenn Herman shares her ideas for leveraging algorithms, mastering hashtag greatest practices, and growing an efficient Instagram Reels technique.
Greatest for: Entrepreneurs or companies who wish to take their Instagram presence to the subsequent degree.
11. Mastering Enterprise Progress on LinkedIn: The Marketer’s Information
Whether or not you will have an organization web page on LinkedIn otherwise you’re creating thought management content material, this information gives step-by-step optimization strategies for visibility, methods to construct an engaged group, and ideas for creating impactful content material.
Greatest for: B2B entrepreneurs or enterprise homeowners who wish to attain their viewers on LinkedIn.
12. The Newbie’s Information to Meta Advertising and marketing
This multi-page e book will present you the best way to use Meta, which incorporates Fb and Instagram, to drive actual enterprise outcomes on your group. This useful useful resource will particularly dive into promoting ideas and techniques.
Professional tip: When you’re new to social media promoting, this e book is a beginner-friendly place to start out.
13. 50 Fb Advert Examples We Really Clicked
After you’ve downloaded the e book above, seize this one subsequent. Creating attention-grabbing advertisements is without doubt one of the trickiest components about Fb promoting. This e book highlights 50 efficient Fb advert examples throughout 17 industries to make use of as inspiration.
What I like: When you’re a visible learner like me, you’ll recognize the real-life examples that you should use as a information on your personal advertisements.
14. The Full Information to YouTube for Enterprise
YouTube is getting probably the most funding from entrepreneurs in 2025. If you wish to sustain with the present state of social video advertising and marketing, YouTube is crucial. This complete e book breaks down confirmed methods to spice up model consciousness, generate engagement, and drive development by way of YouTube video content material.
What I like: Every social channel has a special algorithm, so I recognize how this e book breaks down the best way to optimize your content material for YouTube’s.
Social Media Advertising and marketing Programs
Much like ebooks, programs are an effective way to dive deeper into social media advertising and marketing matters. Programs are normally self-paced and embody quizzes so you’ll be able to take a look at your information.
15. Instagram Advertising and marketing and Adverts Course
This free course within the HubSpot Academy will educate you the best way to construct a profitable advertising and marketing technique. When you’re concerned with studying the best way to create extra partaking content material, nurture your group, and use Meta advertisements to develop your small business, you’ll discover all of it on this course. The course consists of 6 classes, 18 movies, and 5 quizzes and takes lower than three hours to finish.
Greatest for: Social media entrepreneurs, content material creators, or enterprise homeowners who have already got an Instagram presence and wish to develop.
16. YouTube Advertising and marketing Course
As I discussed above, YouTube is a high advertising and marketing channel in 2025. This free course breaks down every part you want to know to develop and monetize your channel, create extra partaking content material, and optimize your movies for YouTube’s search algorithm.
What I like: This course is taught by YouTube influencers and specialists, which suggests you’ll get insider ideas and methods.
17. Fb Adverts and Advertising and marketing Course
Much like the Instagram advertising and marketing course I shared above, this course might help you be taught the fundamentals of Fb advertising and marketing and promoting in underneath two hours. An excellent Fb technique makes use of a mix of natural and paid content material, and the teachings on this course assist you to perceive how they work collectively.
Professional tip: I like to recommend taking each the Instagram and Fb advertising and marketing programs. Whereas they’re each Meta platforms, every channel is barely completely different by way of what works properly.
18. Social Media Advertising and marketing Certification
When you’ve dipped your toes into the intro programs for every platform, I recommend taking the social media advertising and marketing certification. Having a certification is an effective way to display your experience, whether or not you’re a marketer or a content material creator. This free certification course consists of 10 classes, 38 movies, and 29 quizzes.
Professional tip: In my expertise, having a HubSpot certification displayed in your LinkedIn profile or web site is an effective way to ascertain credibility as they’re acknowledged throughout the trade.
Social Media Advertising and marketing Movies
Movies are my second favourite medium to be taught, behind books. With the ability to glean from the brightest minds on any topic as if you happen to’re face-to-face is highly effective. These movies and channels gives you invaluable insights and distinctive views on the best way to do social media properly.
19. GaryVee
You may’t speak about social media with out speaking in regards to the speaker, writer, and social professional Gary Vaynerchuk. His YouTube channel is a superb supply of knowledge and inspiration for entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs, and content material creators alike.
20. TED Talks: Social Media Advertising and marketing
TED talks are well-known for protecting insightful matters led by trade specialists, and there are lots round social media. There will not be that a lot actionable recommendation in these movies, however if you wish to change into an professional on social media, these movies gives you perception into deeper topics like “the hidden affect of social networks.”
21. HubSpot Advertising and marketing
HubSpot’s Advertising and marketing channel on YouTube is stuffed with fast, actionable tips about a spread of social media matters. Whether or not you wish to discover ways to confirm your LinkedIn account or monetize your YouTube account, you’ll discover simple how-to movies on this channel.
22. Free Social Media Certification
HubSpot Academy has a breadth of video programs throughout inbound and digital advertising and marketing. The free social media course consists of 38 movies that educate you the basics of managing a social media marketing campaign for your small business. It additionally earns you a recent Social Media Certification.
Social Media Podcasts
Podcasts are an effective way to be taught straight from the specialists. Not solely are they handy to take heed to on the go, however they usually have a first-person perspective on social media or interviews with those that work straight within the trade.
23. Social Media Advertising and marketing Podcast
On this podcast, Michael Stelzner, from Social Media Examiner, brings you success tales and professional interviews from main social media advertising and marketing execs.
What I like: This podcast has been revealed weekly since 2012, so there are tons of episodes to make amends for. It may be attention-grabbing to take heed to previous episodes to see how a lot social media has advanced over time.
24. The Social Execs Podcast
This podcast is produced by the crew at Persuade and Convert and is without doubt one of the longest-running advertising and marketing podcasts on the market. Each episode of the Social Execs Podcast shines the sunshine on actual execs doing actual work for actual corporations corresponding to Google, Reddit, Uber, and extra.
What I like: Whereas this podcast is targeted on social media, it additionally zooms out to debate the way it overlaps with the remainder of an organization’s advertising and marketing technique.
25. Advertising and marketing Towards the Grain
On this podcast, HubSpot’s CMO and Zapier’s CMO present an unfiltered perspective on advertising and marketing traits and development ways whereas sharing recent concepts that any marketer can apply to their technique.
Professional tip: It’s also possible to tune into the episodes on YouTube if you happen to choose video over audio.
26. The Purpose Digger Podcast
With over 110 million downloads, it’s secure to say The Purpose Digger Podcast is without doubt one of the hottest advertising and marketing and enterprise podcasts on the market. Hosted by entrepreneur Jenna Kutcher, this podcast is a superb useful resource to study advertising and marketing your small business, earning profits on-line, and rising your social media following.
Greatest for: I like to recommend listening to this podcast if you happen to’re a solopreneur or content material creator.
27. Create Just like the Greats
Marketer Ross Simmonds delves into what makes nice concepts unfold and the best way to create issues that final. One of many recurring matters is the best way to get probably the most out of your content material, whether or not by repurposing or maximizing distribution channels. It is a must-listen if you happen to’re on a small advertising and marketing crew or are a solo content material creator.
What I like: Social media is fast-paced, and stylish content material is commonly prioritized, so I recognize this podcast’s strategy on the subject of creating (and repurposing) lasting content material.
Social Media Newsletters
When you’re a fan of newsletters like I’m, I believe you’ll recognize seeing these social media insights in your inbox.
28. Advertising and marketing Brew
From the crew at Morning Brew, Advertising and marketing Brew is a weekday publication that covers model technique, social media, and promoting tech.
Greatest for: I like to recommend this article to entrepreneurs in any respect ranges who wish to keep on high of trade traits and updates.
29. Hyperlink in Bio
From social media advisor Rachel Karten, I like to recommend Hyperlink in Bio for anybody who works in social media or is concerned with it as a profession. The publication shares interviews with real-life social managers behind main manufacturers and gives insightful breakdowns of social methods.
What I like: The publication options interviews and techniques from manufacturers throughout industries, which is at all times an effective way to get a recent perspective.
30. Future Social
Jack Appleby, social media, model, and influencer advisor, shares his social technique experience in his publication, Future Social. After main technique for manufacturers like Microsoft, Beats By Dre, and Verizon, he now shares case research, theoretical methods, and content material breakdowns to assist entrepreneurs and creators enhance their social presence.
Greatest for: Content material creators or entrepreneurs who work with content material creators would profit from the insights on model technique.
Social Media Advertising and marketing Books
Books are my favourite solution to be taught. Many specialists agree that if you happen to learn a e-book every week in your space of experience for five years, you should have the equal of a Ph.D. on the topic. That will or will not be true, however studying books from the specialists undoubtedly would not make you a worse marketer. Listed here are some books to get you began.
31. Influencer: Constructing Your Private Model within the Age of Social Media
Written by creator economic system professional, Brittany Hennessy, this e-book delves into precisely the best way to construct an viewers and a model on-line. This e-book is simply as invaluable for novices as it’s for content material creators who have already got an viewers, because it additionally covers the best way to safe model offers and elevate your content material.
Greatest for: I like to recommend studying this if you happen to’re a content material creator or anybody who needs to enhance their thought management content material.
32. The New Guidelines of Advertising and marketing and PR
David Meerman Scott’s e-book on digital advertising and marketing is a world bestseller and is value each penny. Some argue that it must be required studying for any marketer. I can personally affirm that I learn it in the beginning of my advertising and marketing profession and felt it was an ideal useful resource for getting began.
Greatest for: When you’re early into your advertising and marketing profession or simply getting began with social media advertising and marketing.
33. Contagious: Why Issues Catch On
This e-book by Jonah Berger offers a robust basis to know how content material goes viral – and the best way to create concepts on social media which are so catchy, your viewers will not be capable to assist however click on them.
Now that you simply‘ve reviewed the highest social media advertising and marketing sources, it’s time to create your motion plan for getting on the market and really executing your information.
The right way to Begin Social Media Advertising and marketing
Go the place your clients are.
Present worth.
Set real looking and measurable objectives.
Maximize your present sources.
Have conversations.
Hearken to your viewers.
Do not get trapped by traits.
Deal with high quality, not amount.
Tailor your content material and messaging to every platform.
By no means cease studying.
1. Go the place your clients are.
You don‘t should be on each platform. It’s a standard mistake when beginning out to attempt to broaden your attain by being in every single place. But when your target market is on LinkedIn, creating TikTok content material is probably going wasted effort.
When you’re operating quick on advertising and marketing sources, determine which platform (or two) your viewers is most energetic on after which double down on creating significant content material and experiences on that platform. You may at all times broaden your efforts into completely different platforms later.
2. Present worth.
Audiences watch TV to be entertained, get knowledgeable, or unwind, to not view commercials. The identical is true for social media customers. Likelihood is, if you happen to do nothing besides promote your self, you gained‘t get far with social media as a result of signing into social media is just not indicative that they’re able to be offered to.
So, how do you meet audiences on their turf in a approach that earns you significant consciousness and engagement? The 80/20 Rule.
This “rule” states that profitable social media advertising and marketing means offering one thing for the viewers 80% of the time and selling your model 20% of the time. In case your viewers is hungry on your content material, they‘re rather more keen to additionally settle for promotional messaging so long as it’s not too overwhelming or obtrusive.
3. Set real looking and measurable objectives.
When you start your social media advertising and marketing efforts with no vacation spot in thoughts, you could end up floundering. Get clear on what you want out of your efforts with the intention to set objectives and measure your progress in direction of them.
For instance, you is likely to be utilizing social media to extend your model consciousness, which suggests you‘d take a look at your posts’ attain and the way your viewers is rising. However, if you wish to drive visitors out of your web site, you may measure click-throughs.
It‘s vital additionally to start with a benchmark with the intention to set real looking objectives. Capturing for the moon is sweet, however you’ll additionally wish to measure towards achievable milestones to gauge efficiency and make correct (inside motive) predictions for strategic planning.
4. Maximize your present sources.
As you’re getting began with social media advertising and marketing, you may not have plenty of content material to share but.
Creating content material could be arduous, even if you happen to select only one or two platforms, so it is vital to not overtax your sources. As an alternative, take into account methods that you could make the most of, adapt, and repurpose present content material to make your sources stretch even additional.
Then you’ll be able to determine on a publishing schedule that’s acceptable for the community you have chosen and the sources you will have for content material creation.
5. Have conversations.
Don‘t overlook the “social” in “social media.” Social media advertising and marketing isn’t about broadcasting; it is about speaking. By interacting along with your viewers on-line, you’ll be able to improve model consciousness by rising engagement. As well as, this engagement tends to be extra memorable and pleasant than non-personalized interactions.
6. Hearken to your viewers.
Buyer suggestions, direct mentions of your model, and even trade chatter can all inform your social technique. By listening to the conversations your viewers has on social media, you’ll be able to provide you with new concepts for content material primarily based on real-time trade traits, shifting your social media advertising and marketing technique to suit their wants. Social listening instruments corresponding to HubSpot and Sprout Social can streamline this course of and result in superb insights.
7. Do not get trapped by traits.
You’ll discover traits come and go faster than you’ll be able to whip collectively related content material for them.
It could be tempting to take part in each development to generate engagement, however they will usually result in a big viewers of unengaged followers who aren‘t concerned with your model. This isn’t an excellent solution to develop.
The very best factor you are able to do is create content material that aligns along with your model and viewers. Solely take part in traits when you’ll be able to naturally incorporate your product or message.
8. Deal with high quality, not amount.
This tip could be utilized to so many issues within the social media house:
High quality, not amount, of followers
High quality, not amount, of posts you create
High quality, not amount, of engagement
The actual fact of the matter is, although it might look like gradual development over time, high quality issues on social media and can drive extra significant outcomes and higher ROI, which is the muse of profitable social media advertising and marketing.
9. Tailor your content material and messaging to every platform.
When you‘re on a number of platforms, it’s greatest to stick to greatest practices for that particular platform.
Whereas it might be tempting to create the identical message and promote the identical solution to save time, this will truly damage the expertise for social media customers.
Every platform has completely different searching habits, picture thumbnail codecs, character counts, greatest practices for hashtags, and extra. For optimum expertise (and efficiency), perceive what works greatest on every social media channel and tailor your messaging to suit.
10. By no means cease studying.
Regardless of what number of social networks you got down to grasp, or how lengthy you’re employed within the social advertising and marketing discipline, there may be one secret that can make sure you’re profitable: By no means cease studying.
Doing issues like taking programs or getting licensed in social media advertising and marketing might help you progress up in your position or take your model’s social media presence to the subsequent degree.
Constructing Your Social Media Experience Over Time
The record above is very large, I do know, and there isn’t any solution to eat all these sources within the subsequent week. However by holding these sources useful, you’ll be able to be taught as you go.
Steady training within the social media advertising and marketing house is crucial not solely to remain on high of greatest practices and platform updates, but additionally to refine your skillset.
Editor’s observe: This put up was initially revealed in March 2015 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.
