You are thinking about a career in the Programmatic world or you want to learn Programmatic as a beginner just for fun? Congratulations, you just found a beginner’s guide to Programmatic!
This guide is also useful if you want to become a Programmatic strategist or if you want to apply to Programmatic jobs.
Ted Jordan, our Data and Programmatic expert, is here to help you start this new journey.
Learning Programmatic as a beginner may seem overwhelming and complicated. Be reassured, it’s not if you follow the tips below.
Find your learning method
First and foremost, you need to find which learning method works for you.
Are you a visual learner? Do you prefer reading and writing methods? Do you need to listen to a podcast or a video to remember information? Or perhaps you have to practise something to become good at it?
You may also be able to learn Programmatic by combining different learning methods. For instance, you may want to combine joining an online course and reading articles about Digital Advertising.
Set your goals
In order to organise your learning path and to choose the best way to learn Programmatic, start by setting clear goals.
Before deciding how you will learn Programmatic as a beginner, ask yourself:
- How many hours per day or week can I study?
- Do I want to learn Programmatic online or in class with other beginners?
- What level of expertise do I want after studying Programmatic?
- Do I need to be guided?
- Why do I want to learn Programmatic and what’s my budget to do so?
- Is my goal to get a Programmatic job such as account strategist or media trader?
Once you defined your goals, you will be able to pick the best Programmatic online course for you. It will also boost your motivation!
Learn Programmatic at your own pace
We recommend learning Programmatic at your own pace if you are a beginner. Some Programmatic courses have a set agenda and are not always adapted to all levels. Also, some learners prefer crash courses because it’s quick and efficient, and they do it when it’s best for them.
Join a course that is offering sessions or videos that are available when you are so you can study at your own pace.
Our students often tell us they love being able to study when and where they want because they put less pressure on themselves thanks to the flexibility our courses offer.
Start with the basics
Once you have decided on which method and support you’ll use to learn Programmatic as a beginner, start with the basics.
The Programmatic world is full of specific acronyms and terms that you’ll need to know if you want to understand advanced content.
Programmatic basics can be classified in several categories:
- KPIs
- Formats
- Acronyms
- Platforms
- Buying methods such as RTB
Start with Programmatic acronyms and take note of all the terms you don’t know. Write down their definition to memorise the terms and check your notes later on if needed. Then learn about Programmatic platforms: DSPs, SSPs, etc. and the most used formats in this type of advertising.
From beginner to pro: get certified
After learning the basics, get familiar with the different targeting options in Programmatic and the best DSPs. At this stage you should feel more confident about your knowledge in the Programmatic field.
To motivate yourself or to get a job in Digital Advertising (account strategist, account manager, platform specialist…), find a way to get certified in Programmatic.
For example, join a certifying online course or go to college. A certificate is rewarding, it’s also a proof that you acquired key knowledge in Programmatic and that you are eager to learn and improve constantly.
Find a mentor or get an internship
One of the best ways to learn Programmatic as a beginner is to find a mentor or, even better, an internship in a marketing company or agency.
After learning the basics of Programmatic and receiving your certificate, apply for an internship or for low-level entry jobs. Once you receive a Yes, you’ll be able to gain some valuable experience and use different platforms (DSPs, SSPs) to practise what you have learned.
Mentorship is a great way to learn from experts: contact Programmatic experts on LinkedIn, for example, and ask them if they would welcome you as an intern. To increase your chances, highlight the fact you just completed a certifying course.
Manage Programmatic campaigns and keep learning
Programmatic is a dynamic field that is constantly evolving. Even experts are still learning!
Start managing your first Programmatic campaign, through your job or on your own, to apply what you learned. Practising is key because each campaign is different: format, KPI, market, platform…
Follow Programmatic trends and updates through different channels. We recommend that you subscribe to the Ad Chronicles on YouTube (one new dynamic video each month) or to read Ad News’ articles (each week).
Also, joining communities such as Quora, reddit or some Programmatic groups on LinkedIn, is a great way to keep learning and to get helped if needed.
Finally, joining our newsletter may be in your interest: we talk about Programmatic, Digital Advertising updates, Analytics tools and much more!
