Many would-be marketing leaders begin their own business only to discover that understanding and liking people, or how to create leads is only a small part of today's success formula.
Because they lack the knowledge of direct response marketing and business systems,they wind up in a business that has them enslaved to 50-70 hour work weeks, working weekends, constantly on the phone with the wrong people, and being completely burned out.
And many times they wind up working for slave wages to boot. I have spent the last thirty plus years trying to help people avoid these traps, and the short cut detours that lead nowhere.
I started with none of the skill sets and mindsets it takes to build a large duplicating network marketing team. If you have a learning mindset,as you start down this road you will continuously gain insights and wisdom on creating an Ideal Business, Ideal Lifestyle, and avoiding the stress and burnout that comes with having a business
that owns you rather than the other way around. I always find it amusing when newbie marketers give me grief when I say things like "When building a MLM Team it is just as important to get rid of the wrong people as it is to develop relationships with the right people". I guess it is inetitable that some people are going to have to waste hundreds of hours of their life, before they understand the wisdom of that, and many other statements.
With that in mind, here are 5 keys to avoiding burnout.
1. Always use written systems.
The opposite of this is “winging” it day by day with little-or-no defined process.
This leads to your business being owner-dependant, makes training a long, grueling ordeal, and increases stress. By using written systems, and learning the proven leadership principles that have always created success, you will take control of your business and avoid burn out.
I first learned this principle by reading The E-Myth by Michael Gerber. I highly recommend you get a hold of this book.
2. Delegate.
Personally doing the repetitive, day-to-day tasks that are necessary to run your business will grind you down. Over the years the ability to outsource has become easier and easier. It would be hard for many of us to function without websites like odesk.com, elance.com and fiverr.com. There is no question this has been the hardest thing for me to do over the years, but learning to delegate has helped me move my business forward multiple ways.
Even if they don’t require much physical energy, they still require mental energy. Think of your mind as a battery that needs recharging. At the beginning of each day you have X amount of mental energy. By “spending” this energy on
mundane, daily tasks, you burn up mental energy that would be better spent on marketing and other more profitable tasks.
If you can't afford to hire an employee, consider hiring a virtual assistant as soon as possible. They can handle many of your administrative tasks emotely, and you can delegate more and more as you can afford it. I staff members that work out of our office in Georgetown, Kentucky and other virtual assistance and outsourcers from around the world that do marketing tasks for us daily.
3. Work on your business, not in your business.
This means delegating most or all of the day-to-day activities that take place in your business. This frees
up your time to work IN your business: i.e. plan your marketing, implement systems, guide the course of
your business “ship.”
If you don't yet have employees or virtual assistants, that's okay. Just be sure to block time out every
week to work on your business. Most network marketers just need to make marketing a PRIORITY! Many of the people I consult with will never be able to progress in their business into they are able to learn to priorotize and do the monotonous marketing weekly.
Which leads to the next key…
4. Use time blocking.
This means setting appointments with yourself in your calendar to accomplish very specific tasks.
For example, let’s say you want to develop a marketing campaign targeting Stay at home moms, block
out several time slots each week to work on that project. I spend the first hour of every day testing and tweaking new marketing and lead generation methods. When I have them refined to the point that they are converting at the level I am looking for, I outsource the activity.
5. Recharge.
Take at least a day each week where you completely get away from your business and do things that have
meaning purpose and value for you. Dawn and I attempt to have a weekly date night. I make return phone calls at the same time daily, and personally answer email twice a day. I have staff that answers our office phone, and replies to the bulk of my email. There was a time when it felt like I was on the phone 24-7, that has been a hard habit to break.
Also, when you go home for the day (or close your office door and your laptop for the day) leave your work behind.
You might think you are getting more done by burning the candle at both ends, but it soon catches up to you and you become LESS productive.
By implementing these 5 keys, you’ll be well on your way to creating your Ideal Lifestyle.
Always remember: progress, not perfection.
These keys can take time to implement—think in terms of a 12-month transformation—but along the way you’ll experience successes, and for each ncremental step you take forward, you’ll feel an incremental reduction in your stress and burnout.
The truth is most entrepreneur minded people never take the time to STOP and consciously become better at time management, lead generation, or anything else. Most have a ready-aim-fire mentality, and that is what makes them entrepreneurs. It is hard to get better when you work ethic, drive, determination and people skills is already way above average.
NO FLUFF MARKETING EZINE
Friday April 5, 2013
Read by over 47,000 Intelligent Marketers Worldwide!
Calvert Marketing Group
120-B North Water
Georgetown, KY 40324
502-868-6199
Please forward this newsletter to a friend or business associate that can benefit from the information.
© 2013 Reprint permission granted in part or whole when the following credit appears: Please forward this newsletter to an entrepreneur!
In this newsletter…
· Quick Message from Dale (We are Looking for Writers)
· How to Choose the Right Network Marketing Opportunity for You
· Quote of the Week
· Video of the Week in Honor of Baseball Season Opening this Week
· How to Subscribe
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Quick Message From Dale
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I hope you have had a great week, and enjoyed your Easter Holiday. We had a great weekend, and this week has been busier than ever.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR WRITERS
There is not a week that goes by when someone I don't know sends me an article that they want me to publish on MLMHelp.com. I have never excepted articles from outside writers on mlmhelp.com. As I have said many times, writing is the least favorite activity I do in my business, but I want someone to know if they visit mlmhelp.com what they see has been personally written by me.
As many of you know, we operate multiple websites in various niches. Virtually 99% of the content on MLMHelp.com I write or curate myself. However we have guest writers featured on many of our other web properties. Being a guest writer can help you get your name out there and provide links back to your website.
If you are interested, send me an email Dale @ DaleCalvert .com we are looking for volunteers who can write articles for various websites and topics. MLM Moms, Website Flipping, Publishing on Kindle, Selling on Ebay, etc. etc. If you are interest send me a sample article with the link you want pointing back to your website and I will be contacting you. I am not necessarily looking for wonderful writers, just good people who want to provide value for readers, so if you are interested send me an article on any of the topics above. We are also hiring ebook writers on various topics every month.
We can easily find articles, but I thought I should give the readers of our Friday newsletter the chance to participate first, but I need to hear from you this weekend.
**
Thankfully, it is suppose to warm up this weekend, and I am ready for Spring. The spring season at Keenland race track opens today in Kentucky would love to be there but it is hard to be at two places at the same time, and we have comitments here this weekend.
Enjoy your week!
I appreciate your support!
Dale
PS For those of you that are not interested in writing, If you would like to send me a picture with a testimony on any of our training programs I will be happy to publish it one of our websites with a link back to whatever website you would like to promote.
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How to Choose the Right Network Marketing Opportunity for You?
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I get messages like the one's below every week. It seems that I write the same email over and over, so I thought this is a topic I should cover today in the Friday"No Fluff" Marketing newsletter. I hope it gives you something to think about this weekend for those of you, that are in between opportunities.
Hey DALE;
First, thank you so much for the knowledge you freely share with everyone. I have greatly appreciated the articles, videos and messages along the way.
Second, I am now looking at an MLM company after a few years of being out of the industry. I want this venture to be better and more calculated than the last.
Here are my questions:
Should I look for the fastest growing team within the business or the upline with the longest experience… or something else all together?
Since the business I'm considering is a start up w/in the last 9 months, should I ask them which upline they would suggest?
Is it bad manners to ask the corporate leaders about leading uplines or who is leading and their style?…
When evaluating a company, what are the top 3 or so questions YOU would ask the corporate management about product/ stability/ upline etc.?
When evaluating a product line, is there any way to know when a government agency may disapprove and shut down operation?
I truly appreciate any help you are willing to give, especially not even knowing me.
Have a prosperous day!
————-
Hi Dale,
I am not currently involved in a network marketing opportunity, but I am a member of your MLM Training Club. I would give anything, if the MLM Training Club was available to me when I first started in the industry 10 years ago. You training has helped me to really see MLM as a long-term business and not just a short term income generator. With that said, what are the 3 most important things I should look at when choosing a mlm company to work with?
I know you are very busy,but a response when you have time, would really help me.
JT Hampton
PS If you need a video testimony for MLM Training Program, I would be honored to do that for you.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT MLM COMPANY FOR YOU?
If people would honestly ask and answer the 4 questions below, they could quickly eliminate 90% of the opportunities, mlm or otherwise within the market place.
When I am looking at a business model, the main question I want answered is number two. Years ago I read an article in Success Magazine that said "If people WANT what your selling, you'll get Rich!" I have never forgotten that statement, and it has been one of the foundational principals on which I evaluate any business model. Until that time in my career I had marketed products and service that I believed in, that people really NEEDED, but they didn't W A N T !
You must honestly be able to distinquish the difference for yourself! I see too many people promoting products and services that do not have mass appeal. There is a delicate balance, on the flip side, some people decide coffee, most of the world drinks coffee that is a great network marketing product, then you run into the challenge of brand loyalty that is talked about here. The same challenges can occur even in the Wellness market. Let's face it at this point in history, most people either believe and take nutritional supplements, or they don't. If they don't the odds you are going to get them to start is not real good, if they do take supplements you may have to deal with brand loyalty. All of these factors need to be considered when evaluating any product or business model.
In general, the trend is your friend, as long as the trend will make sense to the masses. I know that is kind of confusing, but if you asked me to explain what I am trying to communicate in one sentence that would be it. I want to get in front of a trend, but the trend (product or service) needs to make sense for the masses, and not a small select group of people who wouldn't be buying the product or service if there was not a comp plan attached.
1) What kind of Income are your looking for?
The first thing you have to ask yourself is, What is your ultimate goal?
I have personally believed that network marketing is about "Creating Wealth" … period. I believe if you want to make a few hundred extra dollars a month, there are better business models.
If your goal is to create a full-time income and fire your boss, my advice would be to THINK BIGGER. Think Wealth Creation!
2) What is the TRUE market potential for the product or service?
Quite frankly, this is where many people miss it. They get involved in products or services that they personally percieve to be cool or trendy, but they never ask themself does this product have a real market with people that are not going to actively participate in the business. Who is going to buy the product? This is a very important question you need to ask, and honestly answer yourself. A recent example of this is the ILivingAp program that swept through the internet for about a month, and now is basically over. This is a good example of people not asking the guestion, who is going to buy this product? Read more here
I had a corporate guy from ILivingAp trying to argue with me a few months ago, and wanted to know what I had against their opportunity. I told him, IT IS NOT PERSONAL, it is my honest opinion, and I am not a hired gun that will say what you want to say if you pay me! My readers expect me to not sugar coat things and to express my real feelings and that's what I do. Here is a training video I did way back in 2011 before ILiving Ap was started.
***
**
3) What does it take to get my initial invesstment back?
People need to recoup their initial investment as quickly as possible. If it takes enrolling more than 3 customers/members to recoup your initial investment, you need to proceed cautiously.
4) What does it take to make $1,000 a month?
If people that are willing to work can get to $1,000 a month, within 90 days or so, then leaders can create wealth. It is all about getting people into profit as quickly as possible. There are many good companies, with great people involved in them, but the math simply doesn't make sense.
As I stated previously, If people would honestly ask and answer the 4 questions above, they could quickly eliminate 90% of the opportunities, mlm or otherwise within the market place. However if it is a go on the product or service and upside income potential then you need to do some research.
5) Find a Pinnacle Leader and Plug 100% into their System
In network marketing you are looking for the Pinnacle leader in that company. If you are not familar with the term "Pinnacle Leader" you can download a free pdf here. This is the team you want to work with. Get in, and plug in, and the leaders will find you! Yes, most people do business with those they know, like, and trust, but in network marketing, or any business model that can be a recipe for disaster! I only do business with those that have already done, what I am trying to accomplish.
If you are looking at a business model outside of network marketing, then find the best teacher, and plug into whatever training they offer. The challenge with this is if you are in front of a trend, there may not be a clear teacher to follow. That has been the case for Dawn and I over the past couple of years as we have been developing our Kindle publishing company. We have spent thousands of dollars on training programs and hundreds of hours. Unfortunately there is no clear leader/teacher in the industry and the business model is still so new, that it is constantly changeing. Most of the courses and programs we purchased a couple of years ago are obsolete today and not applicable to the current Kindle market place which is always a challenge when you are dealing with technology.
After you find the right team to associate with, plug 100% into their world. Don't miss a conference call, webinar or event, especially within your first 90 days. Follow the recruiting systems and direction they give you, work your business consistently, put your hand to the plow and go for it! The bottom line, if there systems have taught other 27%ers to be successful then you can expect be able to duplicate their success.
END
PS I can anticipate the questions. Number one being, Dale, I am already in a company I love with products I love, and people I love, however there is not a Pinnacle leader in my upline, what should I do?
The simple answer is …… decide to become a Pinnacle Leader! The truth is I offer all the training resources and programs you need, but I can't internalize them for you. Start with The MLM Trainingclub, and your path will become clear.
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QUOTES OF THE WEEK
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VIDEO of the WEEK:
As most of you know, baseball season started this week,
so I wanted to share with you this video. In my opinion
this is one of the Top 5 YouTube Videos we have ever
done, I know you will enjoy it!
________________________________________
WE ALL KNOW "The Money is in the List"
"10 Hours of Training to Show You How We Build Ours"
http://www.MLMListBuildingWorkShop.com
—-
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Copyright 2013 Calvert Marketing Group
You may copy any of the articles in this newsletter for any purpose without permission as long is no portion of the article is modified. You must include the tag line at the bottom.
Article published with permissions from:
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Calvert Marketing Group
http://www.MLMHelp.com
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About the Author
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Dale Calvert started his first business (a mail order business) out of his parents home at age 14 and his devoted his entire adult life to supporting those who want to create income from home. You can learn more than you would ever care to know at www.DaleCalvert.com
Note from Dale
Some of the links in my email and newsletters to you MAY be affiliate links but be confident that I only endorse what I fully stand behind. I accept no advertising in this newsletter.
Dale’s Top Website Include
www.DaleCalvert.com
A Directory of his websites
www.MLMTrainingClub.cm
For those that are ready to
Master Network Marketing
www.LocalMLMLeads.com
Top Lead Generation Course
www.6DMLMTraining.com
Free MLM Lead Generation PDF
www.CMGPromotions.com
Home of the original 100 Bill Dropcard
"The 1 Prospecting Tool Every
Network Marketers Should be Using"
I appreciate your support
Dedicated to Your Success!
Dale Calvert
PS I am not a prospect for any MLM Opportunity! I already got the T-Shirt! Like you, my time is the most valuable asset I have and I simply have too many business interest.
However we do work with leaders to conduct special webinars and Super Saturday Trainings for their team and Key Notes at corporate conventions. Call our office for more details: 502-868-6199
I receive messages and questions like the one below every week. From time-to-time I just answer them online so I can reference people to post.
Dale, I am confused. I saw your Video called MLM on the Internet Warning and I am confused.. http://youtu.be/x-kzdgX5IsM Because a friend of mine said you were promoting an online program at www.MCA50K.com , so which is it?
MY REPLY
Network Marketing is about “Leadership Development”. It always has been and always will be. Your income is in direct proportion to the number of leaders you develop on your team. Distributors come and go, “Developed” leaders stay! In the Market Today, there are1) Network Marketing Opportunities 2) Affiliate Marketing Opportunities and What I call Internet-Work Marketing plans. 3)Internet-Work Marketing is basically an affiliate program with network marketing compensation that is designed to be promoted online.
The key phrase is “Designed to Be Promoted Online”. As you will notice the You Tube Video you are referring to was uploaded 5 years ago. At that time, a lot of people were trying to do traditional network marketing 100% online, and that WILL NOT WORK!From this point on you will see more and more Internet-work Marketing programs that are designed to be promoted online. Right now ILA comes to mind, and there will be more in the future.I hope this answers your concerns.
—————
The bottom line is that in today's market.
Network Marketing always has been and always will be about developing leaders.
Internet-Work Marketing and Affiliate Marketing is about List Building.
______
The answer is always "Make More Money". The problem is some people get so over come with bills that emotionally, and mentally they shut down. They become super skeptical, frustrated, and really don't know who to believe or what path they should take. They are unable to think logically and end up looking for get rich quick methods that by now they should know DON'T EXIST!
I talk about this in detail in my book:
Available at Amazon
The Secret is to read this book BEFORE you need it! With that said, what can you personally do to make more money within the next 7 days? Think about it? Make a list! The trap people get into is they think $300 isn't going to make a lot of difference right now. That may be true, but $300 every week can make a huge difference over time. As the great Art Williams says "All you can do is all you can do, and all you can do is enough". It comes down to doing all you can do, every day.
Anyone can make $300 in the next 7 days if they decide to. Heck you can sell stuff you no longer need on Ebay and do that! There are many other ways to create extra cash flow. You have special skills that are marketable! Think about it. Whatever skills you have there are peopel who are willing to pay for website design, ad posting, article writing, and the list goes on and on. I personally spend hundreds of dollars every month on websites like Odesk and Fiverr, to find people that can do task I can't do or don't have time to do.
I guess what I am really trying to do today is just encourage you! Keep a good attitude and expect something good to happen for you, but while you are waiting on a financial break, do all you can do every day.
Below is a guest article from John Frainee on Reducing Financial Stress, I hope it encourages you.
3 Steps to Reduce Financial Stress
1. Write down all of your financial responsibilities.
A major portion of your stress probably has to do with you keeping all of your financial responsibilities in your head. When you try to remember that you have to pay that bill, call that collection agency, hire that financial advisor, refinance the house, etc., you’re going to feel overwhelmed.
Have you ever noticed when you make a list you feel a sense of relief?
You can do the same thing with your financial responsibilities. Block out an hour to write them all down! You’ll be surprised at how much you’ve been trying to remember all at the same time.
2. Organize and identify the most important tasks and projects.
Now that you’ve written down all of your responsibilities, it’s time to organize them into individual tasks and projects. Some items you’re going to be able to complete in 15 minutes or a day. Other items you’ll need several weeks or maybe a few years! With each item on your list, ask yourself if it is a task or a project. Here are two examples:
- Cutting up a credit card is a task.
- Getting out of debt is a project.
After you’ve organized everything into tasks and projects, it’s time to identify the most important tasks and projects. Remember that sometimes the tasks and projects that are urgent aren’t necessarily the most important. Figure out what you value most and free up some time for those tasks and projects.
3. Act with a plan.
You now know what is most important. You have everything written down. And, you’ve identified projects that might take you a while to complete. Now what?
It is best to take a look at some financial plans that can help you achieve the goals you’ve identified.
Bob at ChristianPF has written an excellent Getting Started Course that can help you identity even more goals you can add to your list. You’ll also learn how to get out of debt, better organize and manage your finances, and prepare for your financial future. Best of all, it’s free!
Dave Ramsey, a popular Christian financial advisor has a “big picture” plan with his 7 Baby Steps. This too is free!
An important part of handling financial stress is acting on your plan. It’s not enough to have the head knowledge, you have to do something about your stress!
6 Additional Tips to Reduce Financial Stress
As you move through the three steps outlined above, here are some helpful tidbits that can put you on the fast track to financial freedom. These have been a lifesaver for me, and I believe they will be in yours as well.
1. Say “No” to new debt.
If you have financial stress, a major portion (if not all of it) is probably due to being in debt. The good news is that if you don’t take on more debt, eventually you’ll pay it off – even without a plan! But hey, you and I both know it’s better to have a plan.
If credit cards are ruling your life, cut them up. Try a cash back debit card instead. You’ll be spending your own money and earning rewards at the same time. Don't make the mistake of not investing in programs that can help you make more money. My friend Dale Calvert has an excellent course that teaches people how to make money now with Ebay and Online Auctions. I think the investment in the course is about $200, but Dale guarantees you will make that money back within your first 30 days. This is exactly what some of our clients need, and you can learn more at Online Auction U.
2. Eat healthy and exercise!
If you don’t have enough energy to work a second job so that you can throw some extra money at your financial goals, it might be because of your lifestyle.
What are you putting in your body? Fruits and vegetables or cupcakes and donuts? The fuel you feed yourself matters. Try this: Eat nothing but natural, whole foods for a week and see if you feel better – you might never go back!
Exercise is important too. Try for at least three times a week to start and do more if possible. Even just walking or running three times a week will do the trick!
These healthy lifestyle choices aren’t easy to make (I’m always trying to improve on this one), but if you do make them, you’ll have more energy to put into your financial plan.
Oh, and did I mention eating right and exercising naturally reduces stress?
3. Focus on one goal at a time.
You can’t clean up your mess in a day. It’s going to take time. So why try to do everything at once?
There’s a power to focused intensity, and it will get you to where you want to go faster.
4. Make a budget.
This is a big one, folks. By learning how to make a great budget, you’ll have a skill that will literally save you thousands of dollars over your lifetime. Prioritizing where you spend your money is essential so that you can not only survive, but thrive!
5. Find unique ways to save money and have fun with it!
While working a budget can do wonders, you’re going to have to make some behavioral changes as well to succeed. Sometimes, that means finding unconventional ways to save money. You know, like installing L.E.D. light bulbs, keeping your dryer vent clean, and other interesting ways to save money on electricity – you get the picture!
6. Pray. For real this time.
You don’t have to make your prayer fancy. You’re talking with God, and he knows what you’re going to say anyway! Have a conversation with your Heavenly Father, and ask him to help you deal with your financial stress! The Lord loves you more than you could ever imagine, and wants to help you in your time of need. Keep it real, and ask God lighten your load!
Cast your cares on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. – Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
I got actively involved in network marketing when I
was twenty years old because I wanted to make $100,000
a year without a boss. That was 30 years ago when $100,000
was considered a lot of money.
I just wanted freedom. Thankfully, five years later I walked
out of IBM in Lexington, Kentucky and I have never had a
weekly pay check from a company since.
Those that know me, know I am not money motivated.
My relatives will tell you that is my number one fault.
However as I look back I think when I was a kid I was
very money motivated.
I sold pears, Christmas cards, seeds, pop bottles, and
was constantly looking for ways to make money so I
could buy baseball cards.
Most people will tell you that entrepreneurs are money
motivated. I never believed that because I KNOW THAT
I AM NOT. However as a kid, I was.
So the question is, are all entrepreneurs money motivated
at some point in their life?
At age 20 I had witnessed how greed ultimately destroys good
people, seeing it first hand from people in my local community.
I was also reminded at least a couple of times a year in a church
services that “The Love of Money is the Root of All Evil”
aka GREED.
But as Zig Ziglar taught me in my early years, money in
and of itself is not good or bad, it simply takes on the character
of the person who owns it. The Bible doesn’t say Money is
the Root of all Evil, it says THE LOVE of money is the root
of all evil.
Money supports, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, churches,
charities, feeds the homeless and on and on.
I bought into some principals and concepts early in my
career that have come part of who I am. I like to call these
philosophies “The Wisdom of the Ages”
· You never ask how much you are earning, only what
are you becoming.
· Your income is in direct proportion to the value you
provide to the market you serve
· He who wishes to be great, let him be the servant
of many
· If you chase money it is an elusive rabbit you can
never catch, develop yourself first, your leadership
abilities and the money will flow to you
I believe these principals and they along with many other
have shaped who I am.
I have found over the past thirty years that most people
don’t get serious about money or wealth creation until
they get in a state of desperation as I talk about in detail
in my book.
CHANGE YOUR FINANCIAL MINDSET AND CREATE WEALTH
So my question to network marketers is do you have to
at some point in your life be money motivated in order to
make it in this business?
There are a lot of greedy, money hungry scum bags in
the network marketing industry, but you can find them
in any industry. I also believe that network marketing is
full of more good, honest, hard working, people who really
want to help others than any other industry I have
been exposed to.
So are those people that at one time were money motivated
but like me, bought into the Wisdom of the Ages?
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below if
you would like, I would be glad to hear your opinion.
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