Top 10 Social Media Strategist Certifications

Certifications are important for social media strategists in the job market because they demonstrate that an individual has the knowledge and skills required to be successful in the field. Certifications also provide a level of credibility to potential employers, as it shows that the individual is up-to-date on industry standards and best practices. Furthermore, certifications can help social media strategists stand out from other candidates who may not have them. Additionally, having a certification can open up opportunities for advancement within a company or organization, such as taking on more complex tasks or leading initiatives. Finally, certifications give social media strategists access to exclusive resources and networks that may otherwise be inaccessible without certification.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Social Media Strategists and explain how they can help advance a social media strategist's career.

What are Social Media Strategist Certifications?

Social media strategist certification is a credential designed to help professionals become more knowledgeable and skilled in the field of social media strategy. This certification can be obtained from various organizations, such as the Social Media Institute, Digital Marketing Institute, and HubSpot Academy. The certification provides a comprehensive education about the principles of effective social media strategy and best practices for managing social media campaigns. It covers topics such as content creation, audience building, analytics and reporting, tools and techniques for successful campaigns, and more. Having this certification demonstrates that you have an understanding of the fundamentals of social media strategies and are able to successfully apply those strategies to drive business results. This is especially beneficial for those who work in digital marketing or communications roles where they need to create effective campaigns on behalf of their clients or employers. Additionally, having this certification may open up new career opportunities or help you stand out when applying for jobs.

Pro Tip: When considering a social media strategist certification, look for programs that provide comprehensive training in all aspects of the role, including content creation, analytics, platform management and strategy development. Additionally, make sure the program includes hands-on experience or case studies to help you apply your learning in a practical way.

Related: What does a Social Media Strategist do?

Top 10 Social Media Strategist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Social Media Strategists today.

1. Certified Social Media Strategist (CSMS)

A Certified Social Media Strategist (CSMS) is a professional credential that recognizes an individual’s expertise in developing and executing effective social media strategies. This certification is designed to demonstrate a mastery of the skills necessary to create, implement, and manage successful social media campaigns. It provides employers with assurance that the certified individual has the knowledge and experience to effectively manage their social media presence.

To become a CSMS, individuals must complete an online course offered by the Social Media Marketing Institute (SMMi). The course consists of six modules and takes approximately 10 hours to complete. The cost of the course is $399 USD. Upon successful completion of the course, candidates will receive their CSMS certification from SMMi.

The CSMS certification is valid for two years after which time it must be renewed in order to remain active. Renewal requires completing additional courses or workshops offered by SMMi as well as demonstrating continued knowledge and expertise in the field through professional development activities such as attending conferences or webinars.

2. Certified Social Media Marketing Professional (CSMMP)

Certified Social Media Marketing Professional (CSMMP) is a certification program designed to help professionals develop the skills and knowledge needed to become successful in the field of social media marketing. It is offered by the Social Media Marketing Institute (SMMi), an international organization dedicated to providing education, training, and resources for those interested in becoming certified social media marketing professionals.

The CSMMP certification program consists of three levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. Each level requires completion of a series of courses and exams that cover topics such as content creation, analytics, strategy development, and more. The courses are offered online or in-person depending on the location. The entire program takes approximately six months to complete.

In order to obtain the CSMMP certification, applicants must first submit an application form with a fee of $250 USD. Once accepted into the program, applicants will be required to complete all coursework within six months and pass each exam with a score of 70% or higher. Upon completion of the program, applicants will receive their official CSMMP certificate.

The cost for obtaining the CSMMP certification varies depending on which level you choose to pursue. The Basic level costs $750 USD while the Intermediate level costs $1,500 USD and the Advanced level costs $2,000 USD. All fees are non-refundable and must be paid in full prior to beginning any coursework or exams.

3. Hootsuite Platform Certification

Hootsuite Platform Certification is an online course offered by Hootsuite, the world’s leading social media management platform. The certification is designed to help digital marketers, social media managers, and other professionals learn how to use Hootsuite to manage their social media accounts more effectively. It covers topics such as creating a content strategy, scheduling posts, monitoring conversations, analyzing performance data, and more.

The course takes about two hours to complete and consists of five modules: Introduction to Hootsuite; Creating a Content Strategy; Scheduling Posts; Monitoring Conversations; and Analyzing Performance Data. Once you have completed the course, you will be able to download a certificate of completion that can be used for professional development or job applications.

To get the certification, you must first register for the course on the Hootsuite website. After registering, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the course materials and take the exam. Once you have completed all five modules and passed the exam with at least 80% accuracy, you will be eligible for your certificate of completion.

The cost of the Hootsuite Platform Certification varies depending on where you purchase it from. If purchased directly from Hootsuite, it costs $99 USD per person or $199 USD per team (up to 5 people). If purchased through a third-party provider such as Udemy or Coursera, it may cost less than this amount depending on any discounts they are offering at that time.

4. Facebook Blueprint Certification

Facebook Blueprint Certification is a program designed to help marketers and businesses learn how to use Facebook products and services more effectively. It provides in-depth training on topics such as advertising, business pages, analytics, and more. It also offers certifications that demonstrate mastery of certain skills.

The certification process typically takes around three months to complete. During this time, you’ll need to complete several courses and exams related to the topics covered in the program. Once you’ve completed all the requirements, you’ll receive your certification.

To get started with Facebook Blueprint Certification, you’ll need to create an account on the Facebook Blueprint website. From there, you can browse through the available courses and exams and select which ones you would like to take. You can also purchase additional courses if needed.

The cost of Facebook Blueprint Certification varies depending on which courses and exams you choose to take. Most individual courses range from $50-$100 each, while exam fees usually range from $50-$150 per exam.

5. Twitter Flight School Certification

Twitter Flight School Certification is a program that provides an in-depth look at the best practices for advertising on Twitter. It is designed to help marketers and advertisers learn how to use Twitter to reach their target audiences and maximize their return on investment (ROI). The certification consists of three courses: Introduction to Advertising on Twitter, Advanced Advertising Strategies, and Measurement & Optimization.

The courses are self-paced and can be completed in about 20 hours. To get certified, you must pass all three courses with a score of 80% or higher. There is no cost associated with the certification; however, you will need to have a valid Twitter Ads account in order to take the courses.

Once you have completed the courses, you will receive a digital certificate from Twitter Flight School that you can share with potential employers or clients as proof of your expertise in using Twitter for advertising purposes.

6. Google Adwords Certification

Google Adwords Certification is a program offered by Google that recognizes individuals who demonstrate proficiency in basic and advanced aspects of Adwords. It is designed to help digital marketers, agencies, and website owners get the most out of their Adwords campaigns.

The certification consists of two exams: one for the fundamentals and one for advanced features. The fundamental exam covers topics such as account setup, targeting, bidding strategies, ad formats, reporting & analysis, and optimization techniques. The advanced exam covers topics such as campaign management, remarketing & dynamic search ads, video advertising & mobile app promotion, conversion tracking & attribution models.

It typically takes around 2-3 hours to complete both exams. To get certified, you must pass both exams with a score of 80% or higher.

The cost to become certified is free; however you will need an active Adwords account with at least $10 in it before taking the exams.

7. YouTube Creator Academy Certification

YouTube Creator Academy Certification is an online program designed to help YouTube creators learn the basics of creating content for YouTube. It consists of a series of short video lessons, quizzes, and projects that will help you develop your skills as a creator. The program takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete and covers topics such as creating videos, optimizing titles and descriptions, building an audience, managing comments, and more.

To get the certification, you must first sign up for the program on YouTube’s website. Once you have completed all the lessons and quizzes in the program, you will be eligible to take the final exam. Upon passing the exam with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive your certification.

The cost of the certification is free. However, there may be additional costs associated with taking the final exam if you choose to take it at a testing center rather than online.

8. Instagram for Business Certification

Instagram for Business Certification is an online certification program offered by Facebook to help businesses learn how to use Instagram more effectively. It covers topics such as setting up an Instagram account, creating content, understanding analytics, and using ads. The program takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete and is free of charge.

To get the certification, you must first create a Facebook Ads Manager account if you don't already have one. Once that's done, you can sign up for the course on the Facebook Blueprint website. You will then be taken through a series of modules which cover everything from creating content to understanding analytics. Once you have completed all the modules and passed the final exam with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive your certificate.

The cost of the Instagram for Business Certification is free and there are no additional fees associated with it.

9. LinkedIn Digital Marketing Certificate Program

The LinkedIn Digital Marketing Certificate Program is a comprehensive program designed to help digital marketers develop the skills they need to succeed in the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape. The program consists of six courses, each focusing on a different aspect of digital marketing. Each course is approximately two hours long and includes interactive exercises and quizzes to help reinforce learning. The program takes approximately 12 hours to complete, with an additional 6 hours for optional electives.

To get the LinkedIn Digital Marketing Certificate Program, you must purchase a subscription from the LinkedIn Learning platform. The subscription costs $29.99 per month or $239.88 per year (billed annually). Once you have purchased a subscription, you can access all six courses in the program at any time and complete them at your own pace. Upon completion of all six courses, you will receive an official certificate from LinkedIn that verifies your knowledge and skills in digital marketing.

10. HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification

HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification is a free certification program that helps marketers learn and demonstrate their knowledge of inbound marketing principles. The certification consists of seven individual courses, each focusing on a different aspect of inbound marketing. It typically takes about five hours to complete the entire program.

To get certified, you must first register for an account with HubSpot Academy. Once you create your account, you can begin taking the courses. Each course contains several lessons, quizzes, and other resources to help you understand the concepts. After completing all seven courses and passing the final exam with an 80% or higher score, you will be awarded your certification.

The HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification is completely free to take and does not require any payment to receive your certificate.

Do You Really Need a Social Media Strategist Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their goals. For some, a social media strategist certificate may be a beneficial way to gain more knowledge and experience in the field of social media strategy. For those who are already experienced in the area and have a successful track record, a social media strategist certificate may not be necessary.

For someone who is just beginning their career in social media strategy, or someone looking to make a career change into the field, a certification can provide an edge when it comes to job interviews and gaining employment. It demonstrates that you have taken the initiative to learn more about social media strategy and how to successfully implement strategies for businesses. A certification also shows that you are knowledgeable about the latest trends in the industry and can help you stand out amongst other applicants.

If you want to stay competitive in today’s digital landscape, having a certification can be invaluable. It will give you access to resources that can help you become more knowledgeable about strategies related to content creation, marketing campaigns, analytics and more. A certification also provides networking opportunities with other professionals in the industry which can open up potential job opportunities as well as mentorship opportunities from experienced professionals who can help guide your career path.

Ultimately, it is up to each individual whether or not they believe obtaining a social media strategist certificate is worth their time and money investment. If you feel like it would benefit your career goals then it could be worth pursuing one; however if you feel like it wouldn’t provide any additional value then it might be better for you to focus on building your portfolio of work instead.

Related: Social Media Strategist Resume Examples

FAQs About Social Media Strategist Certifications

1. What is a Social Media Strategist Certification?

Answer: A Social Media Strategist Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge, skill and experience in developing and executing social media strategies to meet specific business goals.

2. How do I become certified as a Social Media Strategist?

Answer: To become certified as a Social Media Strategist, you must complete an accredited program or course that covers the key topics of social media strategy, such as content strategy, audience engagement, analytics and measurement. You may also need to demonstrate your ability to develop and implement successful social media campaigns.

3. What are the benefits of becoming a certified Social Media Strategist?

Answer: Becoming a certified Social Media Strategist can help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs in the industry, as it shows employers that you have the necessary knowledge and experience to succeed in this role. It can also open up new career opportunities and provide access to exclusive resources and networking events related to social media strategy.

4. Is there an exam required for certification?

Answer: Yes, most certifications require you to pass an exam that tests your knowledge of social media strategy concepts. The exam typically includes multiple-choice questions regarding topics such as content creation, audience engagement, analytics and measurement.

5. How long does it take to get certified?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to get certified varies depending on the program or course you choose; however, most certifications can be completed within 6 months to 1 year if you dedicate yourself fully to studying and preparing for the exam.