Module 6: Set up Platforms and Create Accounts

In this module, you’ll install the technology you’ll need for the course, as well as learn more about their functionalities and how you’ll use them.

What platforms are used in the program?

The following is an overview of the platforms used throughout the course. Some of them require preliminary setup before you’ll be granted access.

Platform Units using this Platform Access Requirements Access Notes
Google Drives Entire Course Google-powered email You will be added to your class drive via your Google-powered email.
Google Trends Unit 3 Google-powered email Use your Google-powered email to log into your personal account.
Google Ads Units 10 - 11 Google-powered email You will be added to the Google Ads class account. You’ll also set up a Google Ads personal account in class. Please wait to set up your personal Google Ads account until class. The instructor will give you specific instructions on how to do so without entering payment information.
Facebook Ads Manager Units 12 and 13 Personal Facebook Account & Ads Manager Account See the Facebook section below for instructions on how to set up your Ads Manager account. You will be reminded in class to set up your account. If you have questions, partner with your instructional staff during office hours. You will need an active personal Facebook account to set up an Ads Manager account. If you need to set up a new personal Facebook account, do this as soon as possible.
Twitter Ads Unit 12 Personal Twitter & Ads Account You will set up your Twitter Ads account in class, but you do need to set up a personal Twitter account now, if you don’t already have one. You need an active Twitter account to access Twitter Ads in Unit 12.
LinkedIn Ads Unit 12 Personal LinkedIn Account See the LinkedIn section below for instructions on how to set up your ad account. You need an active personal LinkedIn account to set up an ad account.
WordPress Units 4, 5, and 7 No pre-requirements You will set up a WordPress.com personal account in class.
Google Analytics Units 6 - 7 Google-powered email You will set up this account in class.

Here's what you need to have ready for your course:

Apps

Download and install the following apps to your computer:

  • Zoom: If you haven't already, use the following videos to guide you through the installation process and introduce you to some of the great features you may see throughout your classroom experience!

  • Google Chrome: This is the web browser you'll use in this course. Google Chrome has a number of tools that make it an ideal platform for digital marketing. So if you’re currently using a different browser, we encourage you to switch to Chrome.

  • Slack:
    Slack is an online communication tool that functions as a forum, instant messenger, and email all rolled into one. It's a tool used by countless organizations worldwide, and you'll use it every day for the next six months. The instructional staff will use it to send activities and assignments during class, relay important announcements, and facilitate group activities. Though there is a Slack web client, for this course you should have the program installed on your machine. You will receive a link to your class-specific channel during orientation.

Website and Software Accounts

You need to create accounts for the following services, which you'll need throughout the course. If you already have accounts on these sites, we strongly recommend you use those to prevent verification wait periods and other issues later in the course.

Social Media

Social media channels are one of the most important places for marketers to interact and share products with potential customers. In this course, you’ll get hands-on experience with the advertising platforms on each of the social media sites below, so you’ll need Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn ad accounts to practice those skills. See below for guides on how to set up these accounts.

Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn all require that you have a personal profile on their platform to create an ad account. If you already have personal profiles on these platforms, check to make sure that you can still access them.

Setting Up New Social Media Accounts:

For this course, we strongly recommend you use existing, active social media accounts. This will cause fewer problems when you get to the social media unit. If you do not have one, or don't feel comfortable using your existing account, you can create a new one for the course. However, you should do this as soon as possible. Facebook and Twitter review processes can take 15-30 days.

You will need to make sure to be active in this account so that Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn don’t flag them as inactive and shut them down. You may want to create calendar reminders to yourself to create simple posts, once a week, until the start of the social media unit.

Please also note that personal profiles that represent a business, organization, or non-human entity, such as a pet, violate Facebook’s Community Standards and may result in your personal profile, as well as your ad account, getting shut down. Make sure your personal profile represents you and no other person or entity.

  • Twitter: Set up a personal Twitter account if you don’t have one already. This will be necessary to access Twitter's ad features in Unit 12. Twitter accounts are subject to a review period of at least 14 days—therefore it is necessary to set up a Twitter account well in advance of Unit 12.

  • Facebook: To set up an Ads Manager account, follow the steps below:

    • Create a personal Facebook account if you don’t already have one.

      • If you’re creating a new personal account, be sure to use an email address and phone number that is not tied to an existing account.
      • For new and existing personal accounts, Facebook occasionally asks to verify your account. This review process can take a few weeks. This process must be complete before you can create a Facebook Business Manager account so it’s important to set up your personal account early in the course.

    • Create a Facebook Business Manager account.

      • When prompted to enter a business name for your Business Manager account, enter something descriptive like, “Jane’s Digital Marketing Services.” When prompted to enter a business email address, you can enter the same email that you use to log into Facebook.

    • Create a Facebook Ads Manager account.

  • Instagram: Download the mobile app and sign up on your phone. Refer to the following instructions for iOS and Android.

  • LinkedIn: Refer to the Create an Ad Account guide to set up your LinkedIn Campaign Manager account.

A note on ad accounts and payment methods: When you create ad accounts, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn may prompt you to add a payment method so that you can run ad campaigns. However, you do not have to add a payment method to create an account and practice using its features. We will not ask you to publish or spend money on any ad campaigns you practice setting up in this course. If you do choose to add a payment method, be careful not to accidentally hit “Create” or “Publish” on any campaign you don’t intend to spend money on. If you do choose to spend money on a campaign, make sure that it doesn’t violate Facebook’s Advertising Policies or your account may get shut down.

Digital Marketing Tools

Sign up for the following digital marketing tools. You'll use these throughout the course. Again, remember to keep usernames professional.

What Are They?

Google Drive

Google Drive is a file storage and synchronization service. It allows users to store files in the cloud, synchronize files across devices, and share files.

  • Use your program-specific, Google-powered email to log into your class Google Drive. You will use your class drive for the duration of the course.

New to Google Suite? For tips on how to navigate Google Apps, see the Google Suite Tutorial.

Google Ads

Google Ads is an online platform where businesses can target and run ad campaigns to Google’s users. With close to six billion daily searches, Google has the ability to reach just about any audience you can think of! One of the key skills you’ll learn in this course is how to utilize Google Ads to engage potential customers through their web searches.

  • You will use Google Ads to learn how to set up campaigns and strategies to implement into effective campaigns. You’ll set this account up in class. Note that you won't need to add a payment method to practice using its features.

Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a powerful online tool that lets you track and analyze visitors to your website. Most digital ad campaigns will bring customers to your business’s website at some point; Google Analytics allows you to learn who they are. You can see details such as demographics, pages viewed, and actions taken on your site. You’ll learn how to use this data to evaluate your marketing campaigns and design better campaigns in the future.

  • Use your program-specific, Google-powered email to set up your account. You will learn how to use site analytics to understand how visitors are behaving on a website.