Facebook Ads for Dropshipping: A Beginner’s Guide

When you’re running your own dropshipping business, it’s important to know that attracting interest leads to making sales. To do this effectively, you must send the right message to your target audience at the perfect time. That’s where optimized dropshipping Facebook Ads come in.

Creating an ad on the Facebook platform is super easy. You can make your ad, pick your target audience, set a budget, and even choose when you want the ad to run. Plus, you can track your results to see how your ad is performing. And when it comes to paying for your ad, you can do it on a cost-per-impression or cost-per-click basis.

In this article, I’ll break down the process of running Facebook ads for you, so you can get your message out to the masses with ease.

Are Facebook Ads Good for Dropshipping?

Facebook ads are a great choice for dropshipping, especially if you’re just starting and have a limited budget. They’re flexible and customizable, letting you target your ads precisely.

These ads are essential globally, given Facebook’s massive user base of billions. You can build lasting connections with potential customers by linking your ads to your Facebook Page.

To give you an idea, Hootsuite says Facebook Ads can reach a whopping 2.11 billion users, which is 72.5% of its 2.91 billion monthly users.

Demographically, the largest Facebook audience is men aged 25 to 34 (19%), followed by men aged 18 to 24 (15%) and women aged 24 to 35 (13%).

People spend an average of 35 minutes daily on Facebook, making it the second most time-consuming social media platform.

Here’s why Facebook ads are fantastic for your dropshipping business:

  1. Massive User Base: With 1.96 billion daily users in 2022, Facebook is hugely popular worldwide. It expanded its reach even more after acquiring Instagram.

  2. Customizable Call-to-Actions: You can use custom call-to-actions like “Sign up” or “Book now” to boost your ad’s click-through rate by up to 285%.

  3. Effective Tracking and Analytics: Facebook offers tools like the Facebook Pixel to monitor and measure ad performance, helping you make necessary improvements.

So, if you’re considering investing in Facebook ads, it’s definitely worth it. Marketers are still using it for a reason!

How to Create Facebook Ads For Your Dropshipping Store

Creating dropshipping Facebook ads may sound a bit confusing, but it’s not too hard. We just need to follow some steps to make sure our ads reach the right audience and work well.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the whole process step by step. You’ll learn how to create and launch successful dropshipping Facebook ads.

Step 1: Create a Facebook Page

Let’s start by making a Facebook page for your business. This step is essential for several reasons. When you have a Facebook page:

  • You can build a community of people interested in your products and brand.
  • This helps you target the right audience.
  • You can tailor your marketing efforts towards your followers.
  • Your posts can add value to your followers and guide them to your dropshipping store.

Here’s how to set up your page:

  • Business Page Setup: Log in to your Facebook account, look for ‘Pages’ in the left menu, and click ‘Create New Page.’
  • Fill in Page Details: Add your page name, category (choose ‘E-commerce Website’ for directing visitors to your dropshipping store), and description. Click ‘Create Page,’ and Facebook will create your page in a few seconds.
  • Profile and Cover Photos: Make your page look appealing with profile and cover photos that showcase your dropshipping store. An optimized page can attract organic traffic.

Now, with your Facebook page ready, you’re all set to enhance your dropshipping business!

Step 2: Create a Facebook Ads Account

Creating a Facebook Ads account may seem complex, but if you follow these steps, you’ll breeze through it.

To get started, you have to set up a Facebook business manager account: 

  1. Visit Facebook Business Manager Homepage: Once you’ve set up your Facebook page, it’s time to create a Business Manager account, your control center for ads and other business activities.

  2. Click ‘Create Account’: On the Business Manager homepage, find the ‘Create Account’ button. A pop-up will appear where you can enter your name, business name, and business email.

  3. Submit Your Info: Fill in the required details and click ‘Submit.’ Facebook will take you to the Facebook Business Suite page, where you can create your Facebook Ads account and manage various business tasks.

Now, you can move on to create your Facebook ads account: 

  1. Select Your Facebook Page: With the Business Manager account in place, you can now create your Ads account. Start by picking the Facebook page associated with the dropshipping store you want to promote.

  2. Access Business Settings: Look for the drop-down menu on the left and click ‘Settings’ at the bottom.

  3. Navigate to ‘More Business Settings’: On the Settings page, locate and click the ‘More Business Settings’ button. This will lead you to a new page.

  4. Create Your Ad Account: On this new page, you can create your Ad account. Find the ‘Ad accounts’ button on the right and click ‘Add.’ A menu will drop down, and from there, select ‘Create a new ad account.’

  5. Provide Ad Account Details: Fill in your ad account’s name, time zone, and currency. Stick with USD for currency—it’s ideal for global targeting since the US is a significant market. In the next window, choose the correct business for the ad account and click ‘Create.’

There you go! You now have a Facebook Ads account for your dropshipping store. You can use it to create marketing campaigns, reach your target audience, set goals, and manage all your ads effectively.

Step 3: Install the Facebook Pixel in Your Dropshipping Store

Now that you’ve set up your Facebook Ads account, let’s tackle the next important step: installing the Facebook Pixel. The Facebook Pixel is like a smart tracker for your website, helping you understand what visitors do there. For instance, it keeps tabs on actions like clicking on a blog post or adding products to a cart, giving you a record of these activities.

The data collected by the Facebook Pixel is a goldmine. It enables you to track how effective your Facebook ads are at driving conversions, optimize your ad campaigns, and create target audiences that are more likely to make a purchase. Plus, it lets you reconnect with people who have already checked out your store.

Now that you’ve got your Facebook Business Manager and Facebook Ads account ready, let’s dive into the steps for installing the Facebook Pixel on your dropshipping store. Here’s a simple guide:

  1. Log In to Facebook Business Manager: Start by signing in to your Facebook Business Manager account.

  2. Access the Events Manager: Once logged in, click on ‘All Tools’ and then choose ‘Events Manager.’

  3. Select the Right Ad Account: Make sure you’ve got the correct ad account selected from the drop-down menu in the top right corner.

  4. Connect the Data Source: Now, click on the green plus icon located in the left column labeled ‘Connect Data Source.’

  5. Choose ‘Web’: A pop-up with four options will appear, and you should select ‘Web’ and then click ‘Connect.’

  6. Give Your Pixel a Name: Name your Facebook Pixel according to your store’s name, and then hit ‘Create.’ It’ll ask for your website’s URL next.

  7. Pick a Partner: Choose a partner from the list that matches the platform you use for your store. It’s an easier way to set up the Pixel. If you skip this and don’t select a partner, you’ll need to follow additional instructions and write some code on your own.

Let’s focus on installing the Facebook Pixel on a popular platform like Shopify. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Access Your Store’s Dashboard: Go to your store’s dashboard, then click on ‘Online Store,’ and select ‘Preferences.’

  2. Find ‘Facebook Pixel’: Scroll down until you locate the ‘Facebook Pixel’ option, and then click on ‘Set Up Facebook.’

  3. Add a Sales Channel: Scroll to the bottom of the page and click ‘Add sales channel.’ To allow your dropshipping store to connect with your Facebook account, click ‘Connect account.’ You’ll need to enter your Facebook password for security. After entering the password, click ‘Continue.’

  4. Grant Access: Click ‘Continue’ to authorize your store’s integration with Facebook. It’ll request permission to connect your store to your Facebook account or page. Make the connection with your store.

Let’s use Shopify as an example:

  1. Under ‘Business Manager,’ select the right account linked to your store’s page and click ‘Connect.’

  2. Connect your Ad account, making sure it’s the correct one.

  3. Review and accept Facebook’s terms, then click ‘Accept’ on Facebook. You’ll return to your store tab, where you should click ‘Done.’

  4. Go back to your Facebook page and click ‘Connect’ again, making sure to connect with the right page.

Activate Customer Data Sharing: Turn on customer data sharing and select the ‘MAXIMUM’ setting. This ensures your Pixel works at its best, maximizing conversion rates and collecting the most data.

Choose the Right Pixel: Locate and choose the correct Pixel by name or ID, ensuring it matches the one created on Facebook Business Manager.

Testing the Facebook Pixel: Before finalizing the setup, it’s important to test your Facebook Pixel to confirm it’s working correctly. In Facebook Business Manager, look for a checkmark indicating that the Shopify setup is completed.

  1. Click ‘Next.’ In the next tab, type in your Shopify store’s web address and click ‘Send Test Traffic.’

  2. A new tab will open with your website. Click on a few products, then return to the Facebook tab. If the Pixel is working, you’ll see a green dot indicating everything is set up correctly.

  3. If it says ‘Not Active Yet,’ perform a thorough test with the ‘Test Events’ option. Click on ‘Test Events,’ enter your Shopify store’s web address, and click ‘Open Website.’

Testing your Pixel thoroughly ensures you’re collecting the necessary data from your store, allowing for informed decisions and successful scalability.

Step 4: Audience Research

Audience research is the secret sauce for successful Facebook ads. It’s all about finding the people most likely to love what you’re offering. This not only boosts your marketing success but also sets the stage for big wins.

When creating Facebook ads for your dropshipping biz, start by casting a wide net, including as many potential audiences as possible. This ensures you don’t miss any potential customers. Later on, you can fine-tune things with Facebook’s smart tools, focusing on the folks most likely to buy.

To make this happen, you’ll need the Audience Research Spreadsheet.

This spreadsheet revolves around four crucial questions that light the way for your audience research. These questions help you understand your target audience’s interests, covering three main areas: events, content, and related products. Check out these four questions:

  1. Who’s in Charge?: Identify the big shots, influencers, and major brands in your niche.

  2. What Are They Reading and Clicking?: Find the books, websites, and content your audience can’t resist.

  3. Where Do They Hang Out?: Discover the types of events your audience loves to attend.

  4. What Else Are They Buying?: Explore the products closely tied to your niche that your audience is into.

These questions guide you to various potential audiences, ensuring you connect with unique groups likely to become loyal customers.

In your spreadsheet, these questions live in the left column. Right next to each question, leave 4-6 blank cells to fill in with your research findings. To gather this info, do some Google searching using relevant keywords. Follow these questions as your roadmap to uncover the details about your audience.

Once you’ve gathered all this valuable info through your audience research, it’s time to apply it to your Facebook ad campaign. Plug the answers to your questions into your ad campaign settings. This tells Facebook to target folks interested in the events, products, and content you’ve researched.

What’s more, the research you’ve done can supercharge your ad content, making it even more appealing to your dream audience. Audience research isn’t just about targeting; it’s about drawing in your ideal audience, sparking their curiosity, and driving those sales numbers up.

Step 5: Create Your Facebook Ad

Now that you’ve got your audience research sorted for your dropshipping Facebook ads, it’s time to unleash your creative side and craft those ads. When it comes to Facebook ads, they usually come in two flavors: video and images. To grab your audience’s attention right off the bat, your focus should be on creating eye-catching visuals.

Video ads are the real champs in the world of Facebook advertising. They tend to generate more engagement and deliver better results.

Creating a killer video ad campaign can be a game-changer. People love watching intriguing videos featuring the products they’re interested in buying. While image or GIF ads can work, video ads are simply more effective and boast higher conversion rates. So, let’s dig into how to find a fantastic product video to use.

First things first, you’ll need a product video for the item you want to promote. This video will be your starting point for customization. Here’s how you can get your hands on the right product video for your Facebook ad:

  1. Supplier’s Video: Sometimes, suppliers have product videos you can use. Keep in mind that these videos might not always look professional, and they might have captions in a different language.

  2. Product Page Video: Occasionally, you might stumble upon a product video with excellent visuals on a supplier’s product page. This practice is gaining traction, but it’s not widespread yet.

  3. Create Your Own: If you can’t find a suitable product video, consider reaching out to your supplier and asking for one. Alternatively, order the product and create your video. If all else fails, you can try finding a product video from another supplier or competitor.

Once you’ve got your hands on a product video, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and do some editing. There are a couple of good reasons for this. Firstly, your video ad should be no longer than 30 seconds. Viewer attention spans drop quickly, so keep your ad short and sweet.

Secondly, your video shouldn’t be a carbon copy of your supplier’s video. Your dropshipping Facebook ads are your chance to stand out from the crowd, so duplicating the supplier’s video won’t do the trick.

For video editing, you can choose from various platforms. Animoto is a great option, especially for dropshipping and eCommerce. Alternatively, if you’re feeling creative, you can edit the video from scratch. Regardless of your approach, focus on creating visuals that pop. You can even add sound effects or background music to add some flair to your ad.

Crucially, the first 3-5 seconds of your Facebook ad are make-or-break. These initial seconds determine whether a potential customer sticks around. With people being bombarded by ads, you must grab their attention right from the get-go.

To maximize the success of your dropshipping Facebook ad, create multiple versions of your video ad and put them to the test. A savvy strategy is to craft three versions of your ad and run them simultaneously. The main difference among these three ads should be the first 3-5 seconds.

This underscores just how important those opening seconds are in converting viewers into customers. By split testing your Facebook ad variations, you can pinpoint which version performs the best and then scale it up for larger audiences. Plus, you’ll gain insights into what works and why, which you can apply to future Facebook ad campaigns.

Step 6: Configure Your Facebook Ads Campaign Goals & Ad Set

If you’ve been following AutoDS’ blogs, you know that planning is key. Now, let’s get technical and configure your ad sets and campaign settings in Facebook Business Manager. This step ensures your dropshipping Facebook ad is super effective and cost-efficient.

These settings are like instructions to Facebook, telling it how you want your ad to work and who you want to reach.

Creating a Campaign for Your Ad Sets

Start by creating a campaign for your ad sets. Once you’re logged into your Facebook Business Manager account, go to ‘All Tools’ on the left and select ‘Ads Manager.’

Next, click ‘Create’ at the top left under ‘Campaigns.’

Before you proceed, think about your campaign objectives – what you want people to do when they see your ad. When you click ‘Create,’ you’ll see various campaign objectives to choose from.

For example, ‘Traffic’ drives people to click on your website link. ‘Conversions’ is a bit pricier but targets folks who are likely to take action, like clicking a Call To Action button.

Starting with ‘Engagement’ is often a good choice. It targets people who like to interact with ads by sharing, liking, or commenting. It’s also more budget-friendly, saving you from overspending on untested products.

Engagement ads typically run at $5 – $10 per day, giving you a chance to see how your product performs before diving into Conversion-focused campaigns.

Creating & Configuring Your Campaign

After picking your campaign objective, hit ‘Continue’ and name your campaign, ad set, and ad. Now, configure your campaign.

Most campaign settings won’t concern you, except for Campaign Budget Optimization. This feature distributes your budget across different ad campaigns.

Running three ads for each product is a smart move. It lets you test different ads and find the best one. If you go this route, use the Budget Optimization tool to distribute your spending evenly.

To turn on Budget Optimization, scroll down and switch it to ‘On’ in the ‘Campaign Budget Optimization’ section. This tool allocates more money to ads that perform well and less to underperforming ones.

Setting Campaign Budgets

Now, it’s time to set your campaign budget. Your goal here is to spend as little as possible while testing different ad variations.

Configure your budget as a ‘Daily Budget’ (not ‘Lifetime’) and set it between $5 – $10. Run the ads for 2-3 days. This window is enough to test various ads on different audiences and analyze the results.

This ‘Engagement’ campaign focused on post-engagement provides valuable insights for future marketing efforts.

Facebook Ad Sets

Now, let’s configure your ad set settings. Start by scheduling your ads. Set the start date and time and leave the end date unchecked. Even if this ‘Engagement’ campaign runs for a few days, it can still perform well and boost your success.

Audience Settings

Customize your audience settings to target the right people for your product.

Location

Configure the location settings. Choose ‘Worldwide’ for faster audience identification and lower spending.

Age & Gender

Define an age range and gender targeting based on your product’s appeal.

Detailed Targeting

Fine-tune your detailed targeting settings. Input behaviors, interests, and characteristics of your target audience. Keep your potential reach around 10 million. If it gets too high, use the ‘Narrow Audience’ option to filter it further.

Language

Set the ad’s language to match your audience’s comprehension. Choose multiple languages if needed.

Choose Ad Location

Customize your ad placement by selecting ‘Manual.’ Opt for ‘All Devices’ and uncheck all options under ‘Platforms’ except ‘Facebook’ and ‘Instagram.’

Now, choose where on Facebook your ad will appear. Stick with ‘Facebook News Feed’ and ‘Facebook Video Feed’ to increase your ad’s visibility.

After completing these ad set configurations, you’re ready to launch your dropshipping Facebook ad.

Step 7: Launch Your Facebook Ad Campaign

Finally, it’s time to launch your dropshipping Facebook ads. This step involves configuring settings for your Campaign, Ad Set, and Ad. We’re focusing on the campaign goal of Post Engagement with a daily budget of $5-$10 and a worldwide audience to gauge product interest. If you plan to run a conversion campaign, you’ll need to adjust your settings accordingly.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Access Ads Manager: Start by logging into Facebook Ads Manager. Click on ‘All Tools’ and go to ‘Ads Manager,’ where you can see your existing campaigns and ad sets. Click the ‘Edit’ button to open your campaign and locate the ‘Ad’ tab for configuration.

  2. Name Your Ad: Give your dropshipping Facebook ad a name that aligns with your campaign and ad set names for consistency.

  3. Select a Facebook Page: In the ‘Identity’ section, choose the Facebook Page you want to use for your ad. Every Facebook ad is essentially a promoted post, so it must have a designated location.

  4. Choose Post Type: Depending on your situation, you can either use an existing post or create a new one. Since we’re creating an Engagement ad from scratch, select ‘Create Ad’ in the ‘Ad Setup’ section.

  5. Design Your Ad: In the ‘Ad Creative’ section, you’ll decide how your ad looks and what it includes. Start with ‘Media,’ click ‘Add Media,’ and then ‘Add Video.’ This opens a window for you to upload your product video.

    Ensure your video is between 15 and 30 seconds – an ideal length to grab viewers’ attention. Click ‘Upload,’ select your video, and hit ‘Open.’ Once it finishes uploading, you’ll see it in the Ad Creative section.

  6. Launch Your Ad: Before you hit the ‘Publish’ button, review all your settings one last time. Check the campaign goal, ad set configurations, and the ad itself. If everything looks good, click ‘Publish’ in the bottom right corner.

Running three variations of your video ad is a powerful testing strategy to find the best-performing version. Each variation requires a separate campaign. Here’s how:

  1. Duplicate the Campaign: If you have three different video copies, duplicate the campaign for each one. Change the video content in each duplicated campaign.

  2. Analyze Results: Monitor the performance of each campaign to identify the winning video ad. This approach allows you to see what’s working and why, helping you refine your future Facebook ad campaigns

Step 8: Analyze Your Facebook Ad Results

You’ve launched your ads, and now it’s time to analyze and boost their performance. This final step is all about making your dropshipping Facebook ads work their best and grow your success.

Here’s how to analyze your Facebook Ads:

  1. Customize Result Columns: Wait a day or two after your ad goes live, then check the campaign results on the Ads Manager homepage. Click on ‘Campaign,’ ‘Ad Sets,’ or ‘Ads’ and find the results data columns. Customize these columns by clicking ‘Columns: Performance’ and selecting ‘Customize Columns’ from the dropdown menu. Pick the metrics you want to review.

  2. Analyze Ad Performance: Concentrate your analysis on specific metrics:

    • Overall results
    • Impressions vs. reach (Impressions tally all views, while reach counts unique viewers)
    • Link clicks
    • Video stats
    • Frequency (how often people view your ad)
    • Cost of ad appearances
    • Post reactions
    • Content views
    • Actions like ‘Add to cart,’ ‘Checkouts initiated,’ and purchases
  3. Understanding Metrics: Remember, reach is about unique viewers, and impressions count all views. Use these metrics to guide your decisions and enhance your ads.

Below are some reasons for poor ad performance: 

  • Product Demand: If your ad isn’t performing well, check if the product is in demand. This can influence your dropshipping store product listings.

  • Targeting and Demographics: Poor results may stem from targeting or demographic issues. Research and adjust your targeting settings as needed.

  • Split Testing: If you didn’t run split tests, your ad might not have reached its best version. Keep experimenting to find the most effective ad.

To sustain and expand your achievements, follow this ad hierarchy based on milestones:

  • 20 Content Views: Once you reach 20 content (website) views in an engagement campaign, switch to a View Content campaign. This helps Facebook find audiences interested in viewing your product content.

  • 20 Add to Carts: After hitting 20 Add to Carts, upgrade to an ‘Add To Cart’ campaign objective. Facebook will target people likely to add your product to their carts.

  • Minimum 20 Purchases: Wait until you’ve secured at least 20 purchases before moving to a Purchase campaign objective. This gradual approach trains the Facebook pixel to identify the best audience for purchase conversions, leading to increased sales and profits.

What Should You Include In Your Facebook Ads?

In a nutshell, there are crucial elements to consider when creating a Facebook ad for dropshipping. Let’s break down these key factors that should be part of your Facebook ad strategy:

1. Target Audience

Selecting the right audience is crucial. When you connect with those who are most likely to purchase your product, you can increase conversions and sales while cutting costs.

Don’t spend resources on audiences who aren’t interested in your product. Discovering and connecting with your target audience is vital for business growth.

2. Highly-Quality Visuals

Visuals are key for grabbing your audience’s attention. People naturally gravitate towards images, so making your dropshipping Facebook ad visually appealing ensures your message stands out. ‘

Using high-quality visuals with compelling and relevant information can greatly boost interest and conversions.

3. Call to Action (CTA)

Your Call to Action (CTA) directs your audience’s actions. Whether you want them to buy a product, visit your website, read a blog, or sign up for a newsletter, a clear and persuasive CTA is essential. It serves as a guidepost, showing your customers the way to make a purchase. Without a clear CTA, potential customers might have trouble understanding what you want them to do.

4. Price

Think about both your product price and ad campaign budget. To get a good return on your marketing investment, you must make both of these aspects work well together. It’s crucial to find the right balance between being competitive and making a profit.

Remember that Facebook ad campaigns can be expensive, so you’ll need to do ongoing testing to find the best approach for your business. By following these steps, you’ll be ready to run your dropshipping Facebook ads effectively.

FAQs About Using Facebook Ads for Dropshipping

1. Do Facebook Ads Work For Dropshipping?

Yes! Facebook ads are a great way for dropshippers to market their business and reach out to potential customers. They offer a powerful platform to target specific audiences and promote your dropshipping products effectively.

2. How Do I Create A Facebook Dropshipping Ad?

Creating a Facebook dropshipping ad involves several steps:

  1. Create a Facebook Page: Start by creating a Facebook page for your dropshipping store. This page will serve as the foundation for your advertising efforts.

  2. Set Up a Facebook Business Manager Account: Register for a Facebook Business Manager account, which helps you manage your business-related activities on the platform.

  3. Create a Facebook Ads Account: Within the Business Manager, create a Facebook Ads account. This is where you’ll set up and manage your ad campaigns.

  4. Design Your Ad: Use the Facebook Ads Manager to create your dropshipping ad. Customize it with compelling visuals, engaging ad copy, and a clear call-to-action.

  5. Define Your Target Audience: Specify the demographics, interests, and behaviors of your ideal customers to ensure your ad reaches the right people.

  6. Set a Budget: Decide how much you’re willing to spend on your Facebook ad campaign. You can choose between daily or lifetime budgets.

  7. Choose Ad Placements: Select where your ads will appear on Facebook, Instagram, or Audience Network.

  8. Optimize for Conversions: If possible, optimize your ad campaign for conversions to maximize your chances of getting sales.

  9. Launch Your Campaign: Review all settings and launch your Facebook dropshipping ad campaign.

3. Can I Dropship Without Facebook Ads?

A3: Yes, dropshipping without Facebook Ads is possible. While Facebook Ads can be highly effective in driving targeted traffic and sales, there are alternative methods to promote your dropshipping business.

You can explore other digital marketing strategies like influencer marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), email marketing, or social media marketing on different platforms.

However, using Facebook Ads allows you to reach a specific audience that is more likely to purchase your products, increasing your sales potential.

4. How Much Does It Cost To Run Facebook Ads?

The cost of running Facebook Ads can vary depending on various factors, including your target audience, ad objectives, ad quality, and competition.

On average, you can expect to pay between $0.50 and $2.00 per click for your ads. It’s important to note that this is just an estimate, and the actual cost may be higher or lower.

To manage your budget effectively, you can set daily or lifetime spending limits and monitor your campaign’s performance regularly to make necessary adjustments.

Final Words

Facebook ads is a valuable tool to promote your products. It allows you to reach more prospects and scale your dropshipping business more quickly. 

Of course, you need to write high-converting ad copies, use precise targeting and keep analysing the data to optimise your ad campaigns. Otherwise, you might risk losing a lot of money.

If you need more guidance, sign up for my online business coaching

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