Training yourself in in-demand industry skills in the comfort of your own home is an opportunity nobody should pass up. As a content creator, it is not just important to focus on your field of expertise but to upskill in other areas.
It may come in handy to know a bit about digital and social media marketing, photography, writing, image editing, website creation, or SEO to keep afloat.
Online courses in various fields are sprouting up everywhere. Weeding through all of them might be a hassle, but that’s where we come in. So, we’ve curated a list of sites where you can upskill easily through the resources available, which will help you in unexpected ways in your content creation journey. The catch? They’re all free!
Here are 9 websites that offer free courses that are perfect for content creators –
1. Udemy
While Udemy has a large variety of paid courses, you’ll also come across many free online courses that will help you upskill as a content creator. They also have an app, so you might want to consider learning on the go. Not only that, most courses consist of very short videos that focus on a particular topic, so if bite-sized learning is your thing, then Udemy could be your go-to resource.
Courses we recommend:
- Photoshop
- Content writing and marketing
- Video creation and editing
- Copywriting
- Social media marketing and management
- SEO
- Digital marketing
2. Alison
Alison was founded with the main intent to help people upskill in their relevant fields in a way that can be immediately applied in the workplace. So, if you’re looking for some fun educational classes, then head over. This site features a wide variety of well-structured presentations and classes by highly reputed instructors.
Most courses are self-paced and require very little time to complete, so concise videos are the highlight.
Courses we recommend:
- Digital marketing
- English writing and proofreading
- Photography
- Electronic music and music theory
- Photo editing
- Social media marketing
- SEO
3. Highbrow
Do you find most online courses too time-consuming? Highbrow features courses that you can absorb within 5 minutes a day. With courses covering a wide array of subjects, this site delivers your daily lesson right into your email inbox, so you don’t miss out on anything.
Courses we recommend:
- Photo editing
- Smartphone photography
- Conversational writing
- Content editing
- Screenwriting
- Online marketing
- Blogging
4. edX
A non-profit resource, edX features courses from only the best universities across the world including Harvard University, Boston University, Berkeley University of California, and MIT.
Course materials are free for all courses, but you’ll need to pay for certification. I’ve personally tried out some of the courses, and the best part is that I can do it at my own pace!
Courses we recommend:
- Animation
- Design
- Music theory
- Scriptwriting and storytelling
- Digital marketing
- Content marketing
- Journalism
- Social media marketing
- Web design
- Creative writing
5. Academic Earth
Academic Earth offers free online courses, lectures, and videos from top universities like Yale, MIT, and Stanford. You’ll also discover “playlists” on the site that feature all the relevant courses in the field you want to focus on. Moreover, you can even download these courses as audio tracks, so you can listen to them on the go as well.
Courses we recommend:
- Graphic design
- Music
- Digital marketing
- Writing
(Continue Reading Below…)
- Upskill Yourself Cross-functionally To Get Ready For A Post Pandemic World
- Starting At A Start-Up: What I Learned Working At A Start-Up As A Fresher
- Your 2021 Guide To A Career In Digital Marketing
- How To Be An Online Creator Today And Still Remain Human
6. Skillshare
While the vast majority of courses on Skillshare are paid, there are also a handful of free courses that may come in handy. However, while most courses are not accredited, they are definitely worth learning if you want to expand your basic expertise in these fields. You can also learn on the go with the Skillshare app.
Most courses are self-paced, so you can take your own time to grasp these concepts.
Courses we recommend:
- Digital illustration
- Graphic design
- Photography
- Video editing
- Photo editing
7. UpGrad
One of the best Indian platforms for upskilling, UpGrad provides an array of free courses with an emphasis on content development. While a majority of the courses are paid, there are plenty of options for free courses that you can choose from. What’s more, courses on UpGrad are accredited by the National Skill Development Corporation.
Courses we recommend:
- Content marketing
- SEM
- SEO
- Social media marketing
8. HubSpot
Featuring lessons and certifications from industry experts, HubSpot is one of the leading platforms worldwide in content management education.
Most courses are frequently updated as well, to keep up with the latest trends in the content creation space.
While most courses are short, they are packed with all the relevant information you will need. In addition, the site also offers study guides and worksheets to reinforce the learning.
Courses we recommend:
- Digital marketing
- Social media marketing
- Content strategisation
- SEO
- Content marketing
9. Open Culture
Unlike the other sites mentioned here, Open Culture does not provide its own classes. Rather, it functions as a directory that collects and accumulates all the courses in relevant fields that are available to you. Run by Stanford University, the site collects online courses and textbooks, but also frequently features audiobooks, e-books and movies.
Courses we recommend:
- Digital photography
- Visual and digital design
- Creative writing and storytelling
- Video production
- Journalistic writing
As workplaces worldwide are developing with the times, it is important to remain relevant in terms of experience and make significant growth in your capabilities. Not only that, these new skills will come to use in the long term as you diversify or grow in your career. Adding more skills to your expertise has never been more important, nor this easy. So, what are you waiting for? Start upskilling today!
You’re invited! Join the Kool Kanya women-only career Community where you can network, ask questions, share your opinions, collaborate on projects, and discover new opportunities. Join now.
