Inbound Marketing Certification, Is It Worth Your Time?

If you are familiar with the words inbound marketing, you probably also know the name HubSpot. HubSpot has set itself apart as an authority by creating an impressive amount of free, online, no strings attached (they would insist) educational marketing resources. Some of these resources include videos that they have organized into a series of Marketing Certification courses. There are five courses in all. Their inbound certification is by far the most popular course. In this blog I’ll explore if this course is beneficial for the modern marketer.

I recently started working full time at MLT Creative, a B2B marketing agency located on the east side of Atlanta. When I started as an intern, I was required to complete two of these certification exams: the Inbound Marketing and HubSpot Certification. In my interview to become an intern, Inbound Marketing Certification was the main condition for me being accepted as an intern. Billy Mitchell, the agency’s president, explained that this was now a requirement for everyone on staff at MLT Creative regardless of how much previous professional experience they have. Mitchell is not the only Hubspot fan. Hubspot boasts hundreds of agency partners that have completed both the Hubspot and Partner Certifications.

So we know that HubSpot is a big shot in the marketing world, but why should you spend the time to take their certification classes? Is it really worth your time?

This blog will attempt to provide an answer to that question. As a Communications major at the University of Georgia who had spent the last 3 years of his life slaving away at a Bachelors degree in hopes of one day landing a steady job, hearing an agency owner place such importance on Hubspot certification was eye-opening – especially since I had never heard of HubSpot before my interview. I have now completed the certification for the second time, and it’s clear to me that HubSpot certification is a great decision for ANY person who is a serious inbound marketer or would like to be, whether they work in the B2B, B2C, education, or nonprofit industry. Here’s why:

1) HubSpot’s Certifications are recognized around the world

HubSpot has over 11,000 customers in over 65 countries. Chances are you will come in contact with more than one of these customers in your business ventures and when you do, you will have instant credibility with one of HubSpot’s Marketing Certifications.

2) HubSpot’s classes apply to a variety of different areas

HubSpot offers five different online certifications each focused on different aspects of inbound marketing and that dive into those aspects at different depths. No matter how familiar you are with the marketing world, or what aspect of marketing you are involved/interest in, there is probably something relevant that you can learn from at least one of HubSpot’s classes.

3) HubSpot certification is free and accessible

Not only has HubSpot made their knowledge available, they have done so for FREE and ONLINE. While certain classes are restricted for HubSpot partners, these classes are mainly focused on HubSpot software. Their inbound certification and Design certification are both open to the public.

4) HubSpot is one of the leading forces in inbound marketing today.

As one of the most successful marketing automation platforms in the world, HubSpot has proven that they understand what good marketing is on a global scale. This is no small feat in a world where media outlets are evolving at an exponential rate. The fact that HubSpot has accomplished such distinction as a marketing automation platform should make anyone else involved in marketing ready to listen. Even if you don’t like HubSpot’s approach you will need to be familiar with their lingo to navigate the marketing landscape.

Conclusion

These are some of the reasons why I think Hubspot’s Inbound certification is a worthwhile endeavor for ANY person that is or would like to be a serious inbound marketer. Inbound marketing certification isn’t the only free marketing course out there, check out my list of 20+ Free Marketing Certifications and Courses for more ways to improve your marketing knowledge and skill set.