Mike’s Certification Plan

1. Foundational Knowledge:

Before diving into specialized PPC certifications, it’s essential to have a solid understanding of digital marketing principles.

• Training:
  • Free: Google’s Digital Garage offers a course on the fundamentals of digital marketing.
  • Paid: Platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning have comprehensive courses on digital marketing.

2. Google Ads Certifications:

Google is the dominant player in the PPC landscape, so their certifications are crucial for anyone in the field.

• Google Ads Search Certification: Validates your knowledge of creating, managing, measuring, and optimizing Google Search campaigns.
• Google Ads Display Certification: Demonstrates your expertise in creating, managing, measuring, and optimizing Display campaigns.
• Google Ads Video Certification: Validates your expertise in creating, managing, measuring, and optimizing video advertising campaigns across YouTube and the web.
• Google Ads Shopping Certification: Demonstrates your proficiency in creating, managing, measuring, and optimizing Shopping campaigns.
• Google Ads Apps Certification: Validates your expertise in creating, managing, measuring, and optimizing App campaigns.

All these certifications are available for free through the Google Ads Academy.

3. Microsoft Advertising (formerly Bing Ads) Certification:

While Google dominates the search market, Microsoft’s search engine, Bing, also has a significant share in some regions.

• Microsoft Advertising Certified Professional: Validates your expertise in the Microsoft Advertising platform.

This certification is available for free through the Microsoft Advertising Learning Lab.

4. Social Media Advertising:

With the rise of social media, platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn have become essential for PPC professionals.

• Facebook Blueprint Certification: Facebook offers several certifications, including the Facebook Certified Buying Professional and Facebook Certified Planning Professional.
  • Available through Facebook Blueprint. There’s a cost associated with each exam.
• LinkedIn Marketing Solutions: While LinkedIn doesn’t offer a formal certification, they provide a Learning Center with courses and resources to master LinkedIn advertising.

5. Hands-on Experience:

Beyond formal training and certifications, hands-on experience is invaluable. Consider:

• Setting up your own PPC campaigns for a personal project or website.
• Interning or working at a digital marketing agency.
• Managing PPC campaigns for local businesses or non-profits to gain practical experience.

6. Facebook Blueprint Certification:

Facebook Blueprint is the official certification program for Facebook advertising. It offers a range of certifications to validate your expertise in using Facebook’s suite of advertising products.

1. Facebook Certified Digital Marketing Associate:
   • This is an entry-level certification designed for individuals who want to demonstrate foundational advertising knowledge on the Facebook platform.
   • Covers basic concepts, including establishing platform presence, creating ads, buying ads, and more.
2. Facebook Certified Marketing Science Professional:
   • For individuals who want to demonstrate expertise in designing experiments using Test and Learn on Facebook.
   • Covers designing and analyzing experiments to optimize ROI.
3. Facebook Certified Creative Strategy Professional:
   • Validates expertise in creating impactful ad content that resonates with the target audience.
   • Covers ad content strategy, understanding audience insights, and leveraging Facebook tools for creative strategies.
4. Facebook Certified Media Planning Professional:
   • Demonstrates expertise in planning successful Facebook advertising campaigns.
   • Covers media strategy, campaign planning, and leveraging Facebook tools for media planning.
5. Facebook Certified Media Buying Professional:
   • Validates expertise in buying ads on Facebook, optimizing efficiency and performance.
   • Covers ad buying types, improving ad performance, and troubleshooting ad issues.
6. Facebook Certified Marketing Developer:
   • For professionals who use tech and coding skills to solve advanced advertising challenges.
   • Covers the Facebook SDK, Graph API, and other tech tools.
7. Facebook Certified Advanced Marketing Developer:
   • Validates advanced tech skills in creating and implementing Facebook advertising solutions.
   • Covers Business Manager, advanced Graph API, and more.
8. Facebook Certified Advertising API Developer:
   • For developers who integrate, troubleshoot, and optimize Facebook’s advertising APIs.
   • Covers API integration, troubleshooting, and advanced API features.

Each certification requires passing one or more exams. While the training materials and courses provided by Facebook Blueprint are free, there is a fee associated with taking the certification exams.

7. Stay Updated:

The PPC landscape is ever-evolving. Regularly follow industry news, participate in PPC forums, and attend conferences to stay updated. Websites like Search Engine Land and PPC Hero are great resources.

By following this path, combining both training and certifications, you’ll be well-equipped to become a competent PPC consultant or manager.

Facebook Ads Course In 3 Hours

Google Ads Tutorial 2023

Full examples of completing the Google Ads Certification Exams (11 videos)