Sage Publications

Tactics, Ethics, and Future Trends in Social Media Marketing

Keep adding new skills with 10,000+ programs for $239 (usually $399). Save now.

Sage Publications

Tactics, Ethics, and Future Trends in Social Media Marketing

Sage Instructors

Instructor: Sage Instructors

Included with Coursera Plus

Ask Coursera

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Apply tactical strategies across influencer marketing, paid, owned, and earned media

  • Evaluate ethical considerations and reputation management in social media campaigns

  • Design effective brand content, visual communication, and engagement strategies

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Recently updated!

June 2026

Assessments

17 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

 logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the The Sage Handbook of Social Media Marketing Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 17 modules in this course

This module explores the roles and personas of social media influencers, examining how they build credibility and impact consumer decision-making. Learners will discover frameworks for categorizing influencers and strategies for leveraging their influence in marketing communication. The module also introduces theoretical perspectives to guide effective influencer-based campaigns.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

This module examines the dynamic landscape of social media marketing by exploring the distinctions and interplay between paid, owned, and earned media. Learners will gain insights into platform strategies, user engagement, and the impact of advertising, influencer marketing, and consumer-generated content. By the end, participants will be equipped to assess and leverage different media types to achieve marketing objectives.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment

This module examines the various types of brand-related content found on social media, focusing on the roles of senders and the nature of messages. Learners will analyze how companies use storytelling and other strategies to promote brands, as well as assess the opportunities and challenges associated with different content types.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

This module explores the emergence and characteristics of virtual influencers, examining their narrative techniques, marketing potential, and the evolution of digital star systems. Learners will analyze real-world examples, assess the advantages and challenges of using virtual influencers in advertising, and consider opportunities for research and practice in this rapidly evolving field.

What's included

1 video7 readings1 assignment

This module explores the growing significance of visual content in social media marketing, examining both company-driven and consumer-driven visual strategies. Learners will discover best practices for platforms like Instagram, develop visual literacy skills, and learn methods for analyzing visual communication in digital contexts.

What's included

1 video7 readings1 assignment

This module examines the phenomenon of internet memes, exploring their definitions, classifications, and cultural significance across various social media platforms. Learners will analyze how memes are strategically used by organizations and consider the evolving role of memes in digital communication. By the end, participants will gain insights into the creative and interactive nature of memes in online environments.

What's included

1 video5 readings1 assignment

This module explores the evolution and significance of emojis in digital communication, examining their historical roots, cultural interpretations, and psychological impact. Learners will gain insights into how emojis bridge non-verbal cues in computer-mediated interactions and the challenges posed by cultural diversity.

What's included

1 video5 readings1 assignment

This module explores how employee engagement and motivation influence brand perception and organizational reputation, especially through the use of social media. Learners will examine theoretical models like UTAUT to understand technology adoption and discover strategies for fostering positive employee advocacy online. Practical insights into organizational citizenship behavior and its impact on brand advocacy are also discussed.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

This module explores how companies engage with customers on social media by monitoring, analyzing, and responding to user-generated content. Learners will examine research on customer complaints, firm response strategies, and methods for empirically investigating these interactions to improve relationship-building and brand outcomes.

What's included

1 video7 readings1 assignment

This module explores how social media has transformed customer complaint behavior, service failure identification, and recovery strategies. Learners will examine key theories, the impact of online complaints on brand reputation, and effective approaches for managing and recovering from service failures in a digital context.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

This module explores how organizations adapt and implement exit strategies from social media platforms, focusing on the impact of disengagement on brand communities and communication practices. Learners will examine case studies, analyze posting behaviors, and consider the implications of shifting digital engagement. The module also highlights current research limitations and areas for future investigation.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment

This module guides learners through the complexities of social media metrics, distinguishing between vanity and meaningful measures of performance. You will explore scholarly debates on ROI, learn to select relevant metrics and tools, and apply integrated frameworks like AMEC to real-world case studies. By the end, you'll be equipped to make informed decisions about social media measurement strategies.

What's included

1 video8 readings1 assignment

This module introduces the principles and practical steps of A/B testing in digital marketing, focusing on how to design, implement, and interpret controlled experiments on social media platforms. Learners will explore the scientific method behind split testing, understand its strengths and limitations, and gain skills to analyze real-world marketing data for informed decision-making.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment

This module explores the evolution of reputation systems from historical marketplaces to modern digital platforms, highlighting their role in building trust and shaping economic and social interactions. Learners will examine how online ratings, reviews, and social credit systems influence behavior and decision-making in today's interconnected world.

What's included

1 video7 readings1 assignment

This module explores the ethical challenges and questionable practices associated with social media influencers, including issues of authenticity, emotional labour, and the complexities of influencer management. Learners will gain insights into the historical context, current practices, and future research directions in influencer marketing ethics.

What's included

1 video5 readings1 assignment

This module explores the strategies and ethical considerations involved in influencer marketing on social media platforms. Learners will examine disclosure requirements, compensation practices, and the roles of agencies in managing influencer campaigns. By the end, you will understand the impact of influencer marketing on consumer behavior and brand relationships.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment

This module explores the causes and consequences of incivility within online brand communities, examining both passive and active management strategies from marketing and IT perspectives. Learners will gain insights into how different approaches impact user well-being and brand reputation, and consider practical implications for community management.

What's included

1 video5 readings1 assignment

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Sage Instructors
Sage Publications
28 Courses175 learners

Offered by

Explore more from Marketing

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Frequently asked questions