There are many definitions of marketing. In general, the concept is described as a function used to communicate and create value for customers. The same process or parts that this process may include can also be used to develop and manage customer relationships in a business environment.
It is essential to consider whether a short course in marketing can bring any benefit.
In this context, brevity is a relative term and, more importantly, the format in which course content is provided. The short courses are interactive, and participants are encouraged to challenge assumptions, identify opportunities, solve complex problems, develop operational efficiency, increase productivity, and, in the process, create sustainable competitive advantage. The knowledge and insights gained from these sessions are immediately applied to high-priority management tasks.
In internet marketing, which consists of several areas and sub-areas, each component can be effectively presented as a short marketing course. There can be considerable debate about which area should be considered the most effective or necessary. There is a strong bias toward search engine optimization in online marketing. While this is extremely important, one should remember that search engine bots should not judge the results in the online world. Still, ultimately by humans, for humans, the most valuable aspect is the quality of the content.
There are many parallel activities or processes in marketing components, both online and offline. The end goal in both situations is customer focused. A short course in any format should help you understand what marketing is. There is still a misconception among the uninitiated that marketing does not sell. Marketing is part of the sales process. As many marketing courses think, the overall process includes:
- Finding customers.
- Matching them to your business.
- Placing relevant products and services to their advantage.
The fastest developing area on the internet that is easily becoming a marketing medium is the area of social media marketing. Social media marketing has permeated every aspect of our lives and will soon become the de facto standard. The use of social media can be accepted as a marketing tool as the main concept is still the exchange of information. A short marketing course can effectively explain how and where content can be delivered to make it more effective. Remember that humans are social creatures; they are born to be social, and any short course in marketing should clearly emphasize this.
Summary
It remains true in business that most deals are not on commercial terms but on social terms, so there should be no hesitation in creating a well-matched mix of social media, networking, and marketing. Unfortunately, most marketing courses do not introduce any social aspects. Still, things are changing, places for information exchange and communication are developing, leading to a new paradigm that will now be included in any short marketing course.
