Content creation activities related to content marketing through social media. : A qualitative study in a B2B context

Abstract: Background: Companies have lately been engaging their business activities onto social mediaand its platforms. They are taking advantage of the opportunities provided by social media and they are starting to realize the importance of content marketing. Problem Discussion: Content marketing has been researched previously research. However, the research regarding B2B content marketing and the differences between B2B and B2C content is still rather limited. The question lingers whether the same principles apply to firms working with B2B as well. Moreover, a clear framework or guide regarding the way that content should be created does not yet exist – a guide including the aspects may be taken into account when creating content and implementing content marketing. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand and describe how companies deal with the content creation process, within content marketing through social media. Research Question: How do companies handle content creation for content marketing through social media? Methodology: This thesis has taken a qualitative and abductive approach on the study. It hasbeen based on a multiple-case study, where semi-structured interviews took place with sevenfirms working with content marketing and content creation - in a B2B context. Conclusion: All seven firms have a uniform understanding of content marketing, aligned withprevious research. The study concludes that there are similarities between the ways that companies handle content marketing. Furthermore, the study concludes that there are general traits that needs to always be taken into consideration when creating content s.a. long term planning, providing value to the customer, well thought out message and choosing the right channels for content distribution.