Navigating Salesforce Marketing Cloud: {A Beginner’s Guide}

From the laptop 💻 of Kaelan Moss

RE: How to get started in Salesforce Marketing Cloud.

Do you know why people don't learn Marketing Cloud?

They don't know where to start.

Here's the problem:

It's tough to learn Marketing Cloud if you don't know where to start.

Which means you won't land a high-paying Marketing Cloud job.

That's why I made something for you.

Let me introduce you to...

Mastering Marketing Cloud

{A Beginner's Guide}

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This Salesforce Marketing Cloud Beginner Guide includes five tips to help you navigate (SFMC) so you can:

1. Learn the Basics

2. Understand Data Management

3. Explore the Studios

4. Learn Automation Studio and Journey Builder

5. Stay Updated and Embrace the Community

Step 1 - Learn the Basics

Before diving deep into Marketing Cloud, it's crucial to get a good grasp of the basics.

Salesforce Offers a Ton of Resources:

# 1 - Trailhead:

• This is a goldmine for beginners.

• Start with the basic modules like 'Email Studio Basics'

• And 'Journey Builder Basics'.

For Exam Prep, Try These Custom Trailhead Trailmixes:

• Marketing Cloud Admin Trailmix

• Marketing Cloud Email Specialist Trailmix

• Marketing Cloud Developer Trailmix

# 2 - SFMC Documentation:

• Salesforce help docs give you the details for each part of the Marketing Cloud. I use Help Docs ALL the time.

• It's a great way to verify that you're building the right thing (based on best practices).

# 3 - Community Forums:

• Use Salesforce forums.

• You can ask questions & learn from other peoples' experiences without making mistakes on your own.

• Learn from Salesforce MVPs in this Marketing Cloud forum.

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You can also learn from Marketing Cloud experts:

3-Day Challenge:

• Get 3 days of in-depth knowledge for Free with the 3-Day Marketing Cloud Challenge.

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Step 2 - Understand Data Management

Data powers EVERYTHING in Marketing Cloud.

Understand how to manage data, and you'll be valuable to companies.

Companies will pay bank 💰 if you know how to:

• Import

• Segment

• Extract

• Transfer

• And Visualize Data.

Here are 3 data management principles that will give you the most bang for your buck.

# 1 - Data Extensions:

• Learn how to use data extensions.

• They're like database tables and are how you store data in Marketing Cloud.

• Bonus points if you understand how data models work.

# 2 - Import and Segmentation:

• Practice importing data and creating segmented lists for targeted marketing campaigns.

• Data Filters & SQL Queries are the two segmentation tools in Marketing Cloud.

• You can learn SQL here.

• Knowing SQL will put you ahead of so many people.

# 3 - Personalization

Companies LOVE people who know how to personalize emails & text messages.

A common job interview question is:

"What is your AMPscript experience?"

Another common job interview question is:

How much experience do you have building personalized emails in Content Builder?

Don't forget about personalization in Marketing Cloud.

You need to put your data to good use when you're sending

• Emails

• Texts

• Mobile Push Messages

• And Building Landing Pages.

Here are Message Personalization Resources:

• Learn AMPscript functions

• AMPscript Training Videos

• Learn Personalization Strings

• Learn Dynamic Content

# 4 - Extract & Visualize:

• Learn how to extract data from Marketing Cloud

• Learn how to visualize and report on your marketing campaigns.

• Every company needs to understand their metrics.

• That's where you come in.

• The more you know about reporting, the more valuable you'll be in meetings.

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Step 3 - Explore the Studios

Marketing Cloud comes with various studios and builders, each designed for specific marketing functions:

Email Studio:

• Email Studio helps you design and send emails.

• Become an expert at building & testing personalized emails.

Automation Studio:

• Learn how to automate all of your data processes in Marketing Cloud.

Mobile Studio:

• Explore how to use Mobile Studio for text message (SMS) marketing.

• This is a fast-growing field in the world of digital marketing.

• Which means companies want people who know Mobile Studio.

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Step 4 - Learn Automation Studio and Journey Builder

Automation is the ultimate goal in Marketing Cloud.

Companies want to remove every manual process (if they can).

If a mistake can be made by a human, companies want to get rid of it.

That's why companies are moving towards automation in every part of their business.

Here are the...

2 Marketing Cloud Automation Tools

#1 - Automation Studio

• Use Automation Studio to automate processes like:

  • Scheduled email sends

  • File transfers

  • Data imports

  • SQL queries

  • etc...

#2 - Journey Builder

• Journey Builder is a tool for creating personalized customer journeys.

• Start with simple customer journeys.

• Gradually explore more complex business use cases.

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Step 5 - Stay Updated and Embrace the Community

Finally, in a platform that evolves rapidly, staying updated is vital:

Here's how to...

Stay updated with Marketing Cloud.

# 1 - Webinars and Workshops:

Join in on Salesforce webinars and workshops to stay updated with the latest features and best practices.

These are led by Salesforce experts, so it's legit.

# 2 - Salesforce Support:

If you work for a company that's just starting to use Salesforce Marketing Cloud, reach out to Salesforce support for help when you're stuck.

It's their job to make sure you're successful.

# 3 - Keep Learning:

Dedicate time to learn.

Marketing Cloud is always evolving.

There's always more money to be made.

Don't fall behind.

Keep learning.

These are great resources to keep learning:

• The 3 Day Marketing Cloud Challenge

• MC Admin Bootcamp

• MC Email Specialist Bootcamp

• MC Consultant Bootcamp

• MC Admin Exam Study Guide

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Conclusion:

5 tips to help you...

"Navigate Salesforce Marketing Cloud"

(So you can make the most of it)

1. Learn the Basics

2. Understand Data Management

3. Explore the Studios

4. Learn Automation Studio and Journey Builder

5. Stay Updated and Embrace the Community

By following these 5 steps...

You'll build a strong foundation in Marketing Cloud.

Remember, the journey in Marketing Cloud is always evolving.

Embrace the process, and you'll be a Marketing Cloud pro in no time.

Welcome to the world of Marketing Cloud, where every click opens a new horizon of possibilities! ☀️

Kaelan Moss - MinuteAdmin Out ✌🏽

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BONUS

Because you read this far...

I've got something special just for you 🤫

Here are the best resources to help you kickstart your Marketing Cloud journey.

1. 3 Day MC Challenge

2. How To Get A Marketing Cloud Job (Step-by-Step Guide)

3. Marketing Cloud Cert Process (Pass any Marketing Cloud Cert With This)

4. Marketing Cloud Framework (5-Step Guide)

5. Pass The Marketing Cloud Consultant Certification

6. Pass The Marketing Cloud Developer Cert!

7. How to get started in Marketing Cloud

8. How to Pass ANY Marketing Cloud Certification!!!

9. How I Taught My Mom Marketing Cloud