Marketing Cloud Account Engagement 201: The Consultant Certification Exam
Welcome to my first Marketing Cloud Account Engagement 201 article. I’ve had many Marketing Cloud Account Engagement (powered by Pardot) 101 posts, but getting your Consultant certification is certainly not an entry-level task.
This post is a follow-up to my Specialist certification guide. Whereas the Specialist certification is designed for anyone who is a regular end user of Marketing Cloud Account Engagement (MCAE), the Consultant certification takes it to another level.
With this exam, you will be testing your ability to use MCAE to meet customers’ business requirements and long-term engagement goals. This is generally a test taken by people who want to work directly as an MCAE Consultant with their own clients, but the knowledge you’ll gain is equally helpful for working as an MCAE end user.
Below you’ll find all of my tips for getting your Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Consultant certification.
Tips for the Exam
I’ll be honest, just like the Specialist exam, the Consultant exam is hard. But the good news is, I think the Specialist exam was harder.
Unless you’re an end user or accidental MCAE admin, I suggest at least two months of regular studying. Otherwise, I’d suggest one month of daily studying.
If you’re at all interested in becoming an MCAE admin or want to become a freelance consultant, this is a good certification for you. You’ll need to do a few things first, though.
What you need to do before you start studying for the exam:
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Have your Specialist certification. Sorry, I don’t make the rules. Start here if you don’t already have this certification.
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Pick an exam date. So many people ask for my advice on the exam but don’t plan to take it for many months. Let’s change that. Setting a date is a great motivator and will keep you focused on your goal.
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Consider talking to your boss about this. Are you using MCAE at work? Are you a fellow Salesforce Consultant looking to expand your certs? Talking to your employer about your goals can’t hurt (if it does, you might need to start looking for a new job). It’s a highly marketable and valuable skill for them, too. Ask how they can support you (think about exam fees, devoting some of your work time to studying, etc).
Now let’s get to what you really came here for.
What’s your honest advice on what to study for the MCAE Consultant exam?
My answer: technical setup and marketing strategy.
The Consultant exam is made for “for individuals who have experience implementing the application. The Salesforce Certified MCAE Consultant has experience with MCAE administration and configuration, and is able to successfully design and implement MCAE solutions that meet customer business requirements, are maintainable and scalable, and contribute to long-term customer success.”
Don’t let the implementation piece scare you. While knowing how to set up MCAE is important, you’ll also want to focus on the configuration and strategy behind using the tool. While the Specialist certification is focused on daily use of the tool, this certification focuses on setting up a scalable MCAE instance to achieve the organization’s goals.
What do I do after the MCAE Consultant exam?
Once you pass, you should update your resume and post about your certification on LinkedIn. Really.
This isn’t about you looking for a new job. This is about celebrating your accomplishments. You did it! Let the world know!
Tag me in the post– I’d love to say “Congratulations”.
Where else can MCAE take me?
Looking to break free from an in-house marketing team? Maybe you are looking to own your own schedule, be your own boss, or have more challenging and diverse work experience.
The Consultant certification can help with all of this. You can work as a contractor for a variety of consulting partners (like Idealist Consulting) or go out on your own.
The Marketing Cloud Account Engagement world is your oyster now!
Want more MCAE tips and tricks?
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