How should a beginner learn about digital marketing?

A beginner can learn digital marketing by starting with the basics: understanding SEO, social media, content marketing, and paid advertising. Free resources like Google Digital Garage, HubSpot Academy, and YouTube tutorials provide foundational knowledge. Practice is key—experiment with creating content, managing social media accounts, or running small ad campaigns. Analyze results using tools like Google Analytics to learn what works. Stay updated with blogs like Neil Patel and Moz, and join communities or courses for mentorship. Consistency, hands-on learning, and a focus on one skill at a time build expertise over time.

Let me tell you my journey of how I started a successful digital marketing career. 
I never joined any paid course but I will recommend getting one which has these 3 things - (1) Continuously updated course content (2) Zoom/Meet weekly Query resolution (3) Practical approach with hands on example which you yourself do. 

My approach:
1. I watched all youtube videos of 2-3 creators (Their whole playlist) - Don't hope from one video to another. Just follow 1-2 creator.

2. I joined as a Intern in a company (worked for Free) - Try to find someone (friends, relative or a small business), where you practice all your learnings. I worked for Free but gave me freedom to learn and experiement.

3. I created a digital product and started selling them through paid ads on facebook, google, youtube, linkedin ads and also used other digital marketing techniques. This helped me hone my skills with practical learning and earning.

4. I started teaching the same thing or provided it a service - I started my Fiverr journey in this phase.

Follow these 4 Steps and you will be unstoppable in your Digital Marketing career. 

All the best. 

 

Studying marketing is crucial for anyone looking to dive into digital marketing because it provides the foundation for understanding market research, customer behavior, marketing strategies, and making informed decisions that drive results.

While many online courses offer value, most only provide a basic overview of digital marketing. Rather than investing time and money in these introductory courses, I’d recommend considering digital marketing academies, (available either locally at your country or online). These academies typically take a more in-depth approach, covering the core principles of marketing while focusing specifically on digital marketing as a specialized field. This way, as a beginner you can quickly build a strong foundation that will serve as the base for your career, now in digital marketing, and later maybe potentially expanding into areas like AI and beyond. 

The best way to learn digital marketing is to dive in and get practical. After working with over 250 companies across 20 countries, I’ve learned that real progress comes from doing, not just studying.

Here’s how I’d recommend starting:

Pick a goal: Decide what part of digital marketing excites you—SEO, ads, content, or social media. Knowing your focus will make learning easier.

Learn the basics: Use free resources like Google Digital Garage or HubSpot to understand key concepts across channels. 

Start small, experiment often: Set up a blog or social media page and try running basic campaigns. The only way to understand how things work is by applying what you learn.

Track your results: Get comfortable with analytics tools like Google Analytics to see what’s working and where to improve.

Stay curious: This field evolves fast. Follow industry trends, join marketing groups, and learn from others along the way.

The key is to jump in without overthinking it. Your first campaigns won’t be perfect—and that’s fine. Each experiment will teach you more than any course can.

If you're starting fresh with digital marketing, the best approach is to break it down into bite-sized steps:

Get a Foundation with Free Courses: Start with beginner-friendly courses like Google Digital Garage, HubSpot Academy, or Coursera. They offer free certifications and cover the basics, from SEO to social media.

Hands-On Practice: Theory is great, but try setting up a small website or social media page to practice what you learn. Experimenting with real-life projects helps you understand concepts like SEO, analytics, and ad targeting on a deeper level.

Follow Industry Blogs & Podcasts: Websites like Moz, Neil Patel’s blog, and HubSpot offer insights on what’s trending and explain strategies. Podcasts like Marketing School or The Digital Marketing Podcast are also great for staying updated.

Join a Community: Facebook groups, Reddit, or LinkedIn communities are fantastic for networking and learning from people already in the field. You can ask questions, find beginner resources, and stay motivated.

Above all, stay curious, keep learning, and remember—it’s all about building your knowledge step by step.

I’ve been in marketing for over 13 years, working with 500+ clients across the US and UK, and now run a remote digital agency. My best advice is to start with strategy. Many beginners dive into tactics—social media, ads, partnerships, influencer marketing, emails, even traditional marketing—without understanding how everything works together to drive a return on investment.

There’s a wealth of resources available, but I would recommend prioritized a credible course that covers the entire marketing landscape. Understand how each piece connects, how to measure success, and how to drive real results. Without a strategic foundation, it’s easy to waste both time and budget.

Mastering strategy will make you sharper, more resourceful, and able to see the bigger picture. That’s the kind of knowledge that creates real impact, whether you’re managing your own budget or a client’s.