How To Become a Marketing Manager for Free

If you would like to work in marketing, there are many different fields to choose from. Perhaps you already work in social media or digital marketing, but now you're ready for a leadership role � you want to become a marketing manager. So, is there any way to follow this career path without spending the big bucks earning a degree?

Most marketing managers hold at least a bachelor's degree in marketing or a related field; however, this isn't always necessary. You can develop relevant marketing skills to break into the field by taking free courses online or completing certificate programs.

If you do opt to pursue a marketing degree, you can apply for scholarships and other forms of financial aid to make your college experience more affordable. You may even find free and low-cost marketing degrees through the process. Read on to learn tips for becoming a marketing manager and ways to gain relevant skills.

Tips For Becoming a Marketing Manager with Little to No Cost

There are many inexpensive ways to build your marketing skill set and land a marketing manager role for free. Below, we'll discuss some of the options.

1. Take Free Online Marketing Courses

Free online courses are available in many disciplines, including marketing. These courses teach effective marketing strategies to help learners pursue the career of their choice. Some top free online marketing courses to consider include the following.

University of Pennsylvania's Intro to Marketing Course

The University of Pennsylvania offers a free online marketing course called Introduction to Marketing. This course is available through the online platform Coursera.

This course covers three foundational marketing skills: branding and brand management, customer centricity through market research and need-gathering, and various go-to-market strategies. The course can be completed at your own pace and takes about 10 hours.

UIUC's Marketing in a Digital World Course

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers many online courses through Coursera. One of these is a marketing course called Marketing in a Digital World. It is a self-paced course that takes about 28 hours of study time to complete.

This course covers various topics related to understanding and leading successful digital marketing campaigns. Students gain an understanding of how marketing tools are changing in the digital age and how to adjust to and thrive amid those changes.

UC Irvine's Fundamentals of Management Course

The University of California Irvine also offers various courses through Coursera. Marketing students can complete the Fundamentals of Management course.

This course is especially fitting for those hoping to become marketing managers, marketing directors, and marketing specialists. It helps students learn to become successful leaders by developing effective management techniques.

2. Pursue Free and Low-Cost Online Marketing Certificates

Earning a marketing certificate can make you a more desirable job candidate, potentially making it easier to land your first marketing manager position. Let's look at some certificate programs to help you break into marketing.

AMA's Marketing Management Certification

The American Marketing Association offers this course that leads to the Professional Certified Marketer certification. The course requires about 16 hours of study time and culminates in an exam.

Those with this certification are seen as experts in various marketing areas, including consumer behavior, marketing research, and data analytics.

UC Davis's Strategy of Content Marketing Certificate

The University of California Davis offers a course titled Strategy of Content Marketing through Coursera. It has an optional certification at its conclusion.

This course takes about 20 hours to complete. It provides in-depth instruction on content marketing topics such as copywriting, search engine optimization (SEO), and email marketing.

Illinois Tech's Marketing Strategy Certificate

The Illinois Institute of Technology offers this online certificate program through Coursera. The Marketing Strategy course takes about 53 hours of study time to complete.

The introductory course provides instruction in marketing and other business administration fundamentals. It investigates how to determine customer needs and wants to develop the most effective marketing plans and campaigns.

3. Apply for Marketing Scholarships

Getting a bachelor's or master's degree in marketing may ultimately be the best choice for helping you join the marketing team of your choice. If you decide to go to college, scholarships can reduce your expenses to help you graduate more affordably. Some top marketing scholarships that may be available to you include the following.

AMA Foundation Collegiate Scholarships

The American Marketing Association Foundation offers several scholarships for students hoping to pursue marketing degrees and careers. Each scholarship has different eligibility requirements and award amounts; check the specific requirements before applying for any scholarships.

Harold and Muriel Berkman Marketing Scholarship

This scholarship is available to both undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a marketing degree. Students must be college sophomores or above to apply for this scholarship. Award amounts are $1,000.

Licensing International Scholarship

Students in marketing, business, e-commerce, engineering, design, and various other degree programs can pursue this scholarship. The program is available for students interested in pursuing a brand licensing career. Award amounts vary from $5,000 to $10,000.

4. Seek Employer Tuition Reimbursement

If you already have work experience in marketing and are seeking a marketing manager promotion within your current organization, your company may help fund your education. Many employers offer reimbursement through tuition assistance programs as benefits for their employees.

Check with your employer to find out if this option is available to you. While the organization may not cover all your college costs, any assistance you receive can make your degree more affordable.

5. Enroll in Community College Programs

You can learn many marketing principles and skills in associate degree or certificate programs at community colleges. These two-year schools provide low-level coursework and programs at much more affordable tuition than most four-year schools.

While you may still need a bachelor's or master's degree before landing a marketing manager job, completing your first two years at a community college can save you a lot of money. This will help you start your marketing manager career more affordably.

6. Fill out the FAFSA

If you plan to go to college, you should always consider completing the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form enables students to take advantage of state and federal financial aid programs like grants and student loans.

These funds rarely cover all your education costs; however, combined with other forms of funding, they can make it easier for you to launch your marketing career without spending a lot of money.

7. Network With Marketing Professionals

Knowing others in the marketing field can help you get your foot in the door. Your professional network may be able to provide you with job opportunities, training programs, and other resources as you work to get your career off the ground.

Take steps to develop solid relationships with any marketing professional you meet. In addition to the resources they provide, you may also be able to learn a lot from their years of experience.

8. Look for Internship Opportunities

Finally, an internship can help you gain real-world experience in a marketing department. Not only will this help you build your skills, but it may also help you meet other marketing professionals and make a good impression on potential employers.

Many companies provide marketing internships. Perform an internet search or talk with people in your network to find out about internship opportunities in your area.