Most email marketing training is shallow. More than likely, it’ll show you how to send a newsletter, maybe test subject lines, and that’s it. Meanwhile inboxes are more crowded, privacy rules tighter, and “open rate” no longer means much unless you tie it to revenue.
If you don’t sharpen your email marketing skills you’ll just end up wasting list-space, annoying subscribers, and lose out on the one channel that consistently delivers ROI.
This guide zeros in on practitioner-led, outcome-oriented email marketing courses that go beyond basics. We vetted dozens and narrowed it down to what’s truly worth your time and budget.
Table of contents
- Quick comparison
- Best email marketing courses
- 1. Email Marketing Fundamentals — CXL
- 2. HubSpot Email Marketing Certification — HubSpot Academy
- 3. Think Outside the Inbox: Email Marketing — Google (via Coursera)
- 4. Brevo Email Marketing Course — Brevo Academy
- 5. Email Marketing Mastery — DigitalMarketer
- 6. Advanced Email Marketing Certification Training — Simplilearn
- 7. The Complete Mailchimp Email Marketing Course for 2025 — Udemy
- How to choose the right online email marketing course
- Our recommendation
- FAQs
- Related learning paths
Quick comparison
| Course | Skill level | Format | Format |
| CXL Email Marketing Fundamentals | Beginner → intermediate | On-demand | Marketers who want deep, revenue-first frameworks |
| HubSpot Academy Email Marketing Certification | Beginner | Self-paced | Marketing generalists needing a strong base with certification |
| Google “Think Outside the Inbox” | Beginner | On-demand | Those who want email plus broader digital marketing context |
| Brevo Academy Email Marketing Course | Beginner | Free on-demand | Budget-conscious learners needing tactical foundations |
| DigitalMarketer Email Marketing Mastery | Intermediate | On-demand + certification | Marketers ready to monetise an existing list |
| Simplilearn Advanced Email Marketing | Beginner → intermediate | On-demand | Learners wanting structured certification with some depth |
| Udemy Email Marketing | Beginner → intermediate | On-demand | Tool-users who already know basics and want execution skills |
Best email marketing courses
1. Email Marketing Fundamentals — CXL
Best for: Marketers driving revenue via email, ready to ditch superficial tactics.
Overview: This isn’t your “how to send a newsletter” class. It’s a full system for turning email into a scalable revenue engine. You’ll dig into segmentation frameworks, behavioral triggers, automation architecture, and copywriting that converts, all through a performance lens. Every module is built around real-world campaigns that generate measurable ROI. If you want to shift from “email as a channel” to “email as a growth lever,” this is where that pivot starts.
What you’ll learn:
- How to craft emails that get read and acted on;
- How to build automation that scales revenue;
- How to segment by behavior, lifecycle, and purchase intent;
- How to tie every send to measurable ROI.
Why we picked it: CXL’s edge is practitioner-first learning, taught by professionals who actually drive revenue through email. While most courses stop at tactics (subject lines, send times), this one teaches you how to engineer performance: systems, data, strategy, and ROI.
Course details:
Instructor: Jessica Best (Owner & Chief Strategist at BetterAve)
Duration: 2 hours 36 minutes
Format: On-demand (16 lessons)
Price: $299 or available with All-Access subscription ($999)
Certification: Yes
→ Level up at CXL
2. HubSpot Email Marketing Certification — HubSpot Academy
Best for: Beginners who need a solid base and an email marketing course with a certificate.
Overview: This free certification course gives you a rock-solid foundation in modern email marketing. You’ll learn inbound strategy, segmentation, automation, and analytics framed through HubSpot’s inbound methodology. It’s beginner-friendly, highly visual, and supported by templates and quizzes that help you apply what you learn immediately.
What you’ll learn:
- How to design an inbound email marketing strategy;
- How to build and maintain healthy contact lists;
- How to personalise and segment campaigns for conversion;
- How to analyse metrics that drive performance improvement.
Why we picked it: It’s the industry’s most recognized entry point: free, structured, and credible. You’ll walk away with a respected certification and practical fundamentals that transfer to any ESP. It’s the best email marketing course for marketers entering the email space or needing a credentialed refresh.
Course details:
Instructor: Christine Lee (with contributions from Christina Garnett)
Duration: 3 hours 59 minutes
Format: Self-paced (12 lessons, 31 videos, 9 quizzes, 1 practical exam)
Price: Free
Certification: Yes
→ Enrol at HubSpot Academy
3. Think Outside the Inbox: Email Marketing — Google (via Coursera)
Best for: Beginners who want email in the broader digital marketing toolkit.
Overview: This course sits within Google’s broader Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate, giving you an integrated view of email’s role across the customer journey. You’ll build and analyze campaigns, learn how automation enhances personalisation, and see how email connects with paid, SEO, and social touchpoints. It’s not just about email; it’s about understanding how email drives holistic digital growth.
What you’ll learn:
- How to plan, design, and execute effective email campaigns;
- How to use automation tools to personalise at scale;
- How to interpret campaign data and optimise performance;
- How email integrates with SEO, PPC, and social media.
Why we picked it: Google brings brand authority, structured learning, and a complete marketing context. It’s great for those who want email expertise anchored within a full digital marketing skill stack. The certificate also carries professional weight, particularly for job-seekers building cross-channel credibility.
Course details:
Instructor: Google Digital Marketing team
Duration: 2 weeks, 10 hours per week (varies by audit mode)
Format: Self-paced (5 modules)
Price: Free to audit (certificate paid)
Certification: Yes
→ Explore course on Coursera
4. Brevo Email Marketing Course — Brevo Academy
Best for: Marketers on a budget who need tactical skillsets, including deliverability and compliance (GDPR etc.)
Overview: This is a highly tactical, free training that covers the full email cycle, from list-building and deliverability to automation, GDPR compliance, and performance tracking. It’s built for hands-on marketers who want quick wins and immediate application. The course pairs short videos with eBooks and quizzes, making it easy to learn and implement at your own pace.
What you’ll learn:
- How to design campaigns that align with your goals;
- How to improve deliverability and avoid spam traps;
- How to build automated journeys for engagement;
- How to measure and interpret key email metrics.
Why we picked it: Brevo’s course nails accessibility and practicality. It’s free, up-to-date, and designed for real execution. Perfect if you’re cost-conscious but still want foundational knowledge that improves campaign quality, deliverability, and engagement.
Course details:
Instructor: Brevo Academy team (Charlotte Ganster)
Duration: 2 hours
Format: Free on-demand (8 modules, 63 videos, 4 eBooks, 62 questions)
Price: Free
Certification: Yes
→ Start free at Brevo Academy
5. Email Marketing Mastery — DigitalMarketer
Best for: Intermediate marketers who already have a list and want to monetise it.
Overview: This is among the top email marketing courses for marketers who already know how to send, and now want to sell. It focuses on monetization: from crafting funnels and persuasive copy to sequencing campaigns that drive conversions. With templates, real-world examples, and a proven ROI framework, it’s about building revenue systems that scale.
What you’ll learn:
- List building tactics and lead magnets;
- Funnel design and campaign architecture;
- Copywriting that converts;
- Monetisation frameworks.
Why we picked it: It’s the go-to for turning lists into profit. DigitalMarketer goes beyond theory with frameworks that have been field-tested across industries. If your goal is to grow revenue from existing subscribers, this course gives you the playbook to do it with precision.
Course details
Instructor: Jack Paxton
Duration: 6 hours (video)
Format: On-demand (10 core modules, 74 video lessons, 4 handouts, 1 final exam)
Price: $495
Certification: Yes (badge and certificate)
→ View course on DigitalMarketer
6. Advanced Email Marketing Certification Training — Simplilearn
Best for: Learners who want a structured certification and formal credential.
Overview: Simplilearn’s course gives you a structured, certification-ready path through the full email marketing process, from audience targeting and automation to A/B testing and landing page optimization. It’s built for learners who value a formal, step-by-step structure with measurable progress and assessment checkpoints.
What you’ll learn:
- Subject line optimisation;
- Campaign checklist development;
- Automation and landing pages.
Why we picked it: This one stands out for structure and legitimacy. It’s ideal if you’re pursuing a professional credential or want guided learning backed by a recognized certification provider. It bridges academic rigor with real-world application, giving you credibility and capability in equal measure.
Course details
Instructor: Simplilearn Training Faculty
Duration: 5 hours (varies)
Format: On-demand (10 lessons)
Price: Varies – 90 days free access (check Simplilearn site)
Certification: Yes
→ Check out this course at Simplilearn
7. The Complete Mailchimp Email Marketing Course for 2025 — Udemy
Best for: When you already know the fundamentals and want to master a specific platform (Mailchimp) or dive into niche tactics like automation and segmentation.
Overview: Focused entirely on Mailchimp, this course goes deep into how to use the platform to design, automate, and optimize campaigns that convert. You’ll learn everything from audience creation and segmentation to SMS integration, A/B testing, and analytics. It’s a tactical, hands-on course for anyone who wants to master Mailchimp as their execution engine.
What you’ll learn:
- How to create and segment audiences in Mailchimp
- How to build automated customer journeys (email + SMS)
- How to use A/B testing, personalization & analytics in Mailchimp
- How to integrate landing pages, lead capture forms, and use Mailchimp’s AI tools for optimization
- How to use Mailchimp’s platform to grow, engage, and convert your list
Why we included it: Mailchimp remains one of the most-used ESPs, and knowing it inside-out pays off. This course is practical mastery at its best: less theory, more “click here to make money.” It’s a great choice if you’re running campaigns solo or working in small teams that rely heavily on Mailchimp’s ecosystem.
Course details
Instructor: Course Envy
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Format: On-demand (31 lectures, 10 articles)
Price: Usually $10-$100 (varies by promotion, coupon available)
Certification: Yes (Udemy certificate of completion)
→ Learn more on Udemy
How to choose the right online email marketing course
- Define your goal. Do you need fundamentals, or will you be monetising a list? Are you in B2B or e-commerce?
- Match skill level. If you’re blasting random newsletters and hoping for opens, start with the basics (HubSpot, Brevo). If you’re optimising flows and revenue, go deeper (CXL, DigitalMarketer).
- Look for frameworks, not just tool demos. Courses that focus on “how to use the platform” often miss how to build strategy, funnel, and revenue logic.
- Check instructor credibility. Do they do this work, run campaigns, and generate results? Real experience > fancy titles.
- Evaluate support & credential value. Does the certification carry weight in your industry? Are there templates, playbooks, or community support?
- Prioritize business impact and career growth. Choose a course that sharpens revenue-driving skills and boosts your professional trajectory. It should help you move KPIs you care about (list growth, conversion rate, lifetime value) not just send better emails.
→ Find out how to turn new skills into next-level opportunities with the CXL Career Growth Guide.
Our recommendation
If you only take one course, make it CXL Email Marketing Fundamentals. It’s the best mix of depth, practitioner experience, revenue focus, and framework. After that, if your role involves monetising an email list, level up with DigitalMarketer Email Marketing Mastery. These two cover both strategy and execution.
For your broader growth toolkit, check out our B2B marketing career guide.
FAQs
What is the best email marketing course for beginners?
The HubSpot Email Marketing Certification and Brevo Email Marketing Course are excellent entry points. They cover list-building, segmentation, and compliance; the essentials you need before diving into advanced automation or monetization.
Which course is best for agency owners or freelancers?
CXL’s Email Marketing Fundamentals is ideal if you sell services. It gives you frameworks you can reuse across clients, plus a certification that signals credibility when pitching work. It also focuses on revenue-driving flows like abandoned cart and post-purchase sequences—the lifeblood of e-commerce retention.
Do email marketing courses actually help you get hired?
Absolutely, when they demonstrate skill depth. Employers increasingly want marketers who understand lifecycle strategy and automation, rather than just campaign scheduling. A well-chosen certification can make your portfolio stand out, especially when paired with results.
How long does it take to learn email marketing online?
Expect a few weeks to get comfortable with the mechanics, and a few months to master segmentation, automation, and creative testing that drive revenue. The learning curve shortens dramatically if you’re applying lessons in live campaigns.
How can I grow my career beyond email marketing?
Email is a gateway skill to growth marketing, retention strategy, and CRM leadership roles. Once you master lifecycle thinking, you’re ready to own customer journeys across channels.
Related learning paths
Want more than just email? Check out our broader career guides:
These help you integrate email marketing into a larger growth strategy.
Stop adding to spam folder landfills and start sending emails that drive real business growth.
