Most of us think we can kick around a few marketing ideas.We’re not alone in thinking the business world is waiting, eagerly, for our insights.However, it is only when we actually have to deliver that the gaps in our knowledge become apparent.When, for example, we make the sideways move into marketing management, or when, as an owner or consultant we suddenly have to produce a marketing plan from scratch.Eventually, we’re likely to conclude that it’s kind of important to know what we’re talking about;that our hot-shot ideas really need to be backed by data, strategy and best practice. We may be inclined at this point to give up: to scratch our heads and decide to let others do the talking.A better option is to make a proactive, career-changing move and begin looking into online marketing management courses such as the Edexcel Level 5 Diploma in Marketing management. Heather Green says that after completing the Edexcel Diploma at the Brighton School of Business and Management, her career really took off.’I loved my new job in marketing but at times I felt out of my depth.’The diploma gave her a thorough grounding in every angle of marketing, through research and analysis, to planning advertising and promotion, as well as well as studying overall operational and strategy needs.’I'm more confident in suggesting ideas and I now know that I have the skills to carry them out.’ The advantage with online marketing courses is that you can study in your own time, wherever you happen to be.The Edexcel Level 5 Diploma is taken in modules in a VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) where tutors give constant support and guidance to learners.For those wishing to move on to a higher qualification, credits can be obtained for both HND and the HND Foundation Degree in Business and Marketing. An online marketing Diploma is not only a way to get to grips with the whole world of marketing – it’s a way of marketing yourself.