Who says Facebook isn't useful? Just ask the Elvis Club in Spain

I have heard many times that social networks are just for passing the time, that at a business level they leave a lot to be desired, or that they require a lot of dedication, ... in general, a long list of excuses for not getting down to work on Marketing 2.0 correctly once and for all.

The truth is that social networks, like the rest of the tools offered by the Internet, are very useful for both companies and institutions, as well as for individuals. But they require dedication and a minimum of training.

This week following the concert that the TCB Band (Elvis Presley's original band from the 70s) will offer in Barcelona on September 22nd, I was commenting with Helena Casas, a fellow teacher of BIMBS and of the UAB, this fact, when she explained to me how Facebook is working for her Elvis Fan Club…and Helena, in addition to being a teacher, is a semi-professional singer and is the Community Manager of the Elvis Fan Club in Spain.

Helena told me that she started the club activity on FB in January 2012 and since then they have not stopped growing in FB followers, but also in the number of club members thanks to both the network and the events they have participated in. Regarding the latter, Helena told me about the great opportunities they have received thanks to being present on Facebook:

• A BBC contributor He met them online and suggested they take part in the Best Spanish Elvis event held in Benidorm this spring.
• The Open Events Group agency He contacted the Club to create Elvis Day, one of the Barcelona Harley Days events held in the city in July (an event attended by more than 1 million people).
• The original Elvis band (the TCB Band) contacts the Club to promote their cruise (which leaves from Barcelona on September 23), and after discussions with them, the Elvis Club Spain decides to hire them to perform in Barcelona the day before the cruise, September 22nd at the Apolo hall, as a unique opportunity for all fans of Elvis and these legendary musicians.

In all three cases, third parties have come to the Club, without them having to request collaboration in the events.

Participation in events has obviously brought new members, but also increased media coverage of the Club's own events - for example, this summer, in the wake of the 35th anniversary of Elvis' death, the Club organised a trip to Memphis which was covered by several national media outlets.

So can anyone say that Facebook doesn't work? It takes hours, that's true, but above all, it takes hard work to communicate something you're passionate about and knowing how to do it. The rest comes by itself.