Stages of Freelancing - Where are you at?

TommyCarey Level X³

July 26, 2016, 7:26 pm

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Stages of Freelancing - Where are you at?

Hey there everyone,

I was thinking last night, after a conversation with my lovely girlfriend, how many stages of freelancing are there?

I've come up with these. Please add in if you think I missed anything

Stage 1: Working a normal 9 to 5 for a company but playing around online.

This stage is where you are still working for a boss and are thinking about working online. At this stage I would think that most people are cautious because they don't know exactly what to do online in order to make money. We've all been here and it's a tough decision to leave your job, but you shouldn't at this point.

Stage 2: Working full time at your 9 to 5 and coming home to work online.

This is similar to stage 1 except that now you're using techniques in order to make money. You may have made a few bucks with a method and you're beginning to be hooked by the online marketing bug You still shouldn't leave your job just yet lol.

Stage 3: Full time employee and making a part time income online.

You've now got a semi decent revenue stream up and running, hopefully it doesn't take too much time to do the work since you're still working full time at your main job. You're on the right track, but don't quit your job just yet

Stage 4: Full time job with a full time income online.

You're now making as much, if not more, online as you are at your full time job. depending on the amount of time it takes to run your online business, you can quit your job and go full time online. If your online business only takes 10 to 15 hours to manage, you should still keep your job and burn both ends of the candle. You'll be better off in the long run.

Stage 5: You're making more online than at your 9 to 5 job.

This is when you can put in your 2 weeks notice. You can do it earlier, but it's better to be safe than sorry You're not a full fledged internet marketer with no boss, deadlines or worries (sort of).

Thanks,

Razzy

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Cristian

Cristian

I have a 9 to 5 job with a decent pay at the high end of the salary job spectrum for my country. I'm freelancing after work and in weekends and I earn from freelancing sometimes more than I earn from my 9 to 5 job.

So on which stage do I fall into? Oh yeah, and I also did the full time freelancer jobs for about 3 years in the past.

10 years ago

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TommyCarey

TommyCarey

I would say you're between stages. I'd put you between stages 4 and 5

10 years ago

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Cristian

Cristian

Cool. I'm not planning to leave me 9-5 job anytime soon. As I said the pay is good and I recently got a raise. I also worked at home and didn't like it on the long run. I think I get the best out of both worlds.

10 years ago

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Lynne

Lynne

Oh that is strange, why didn't you like working from home? If you are sometimes making more from your freelancing than your full time job imagine what you could earn putting all your effort into your own business?

Sorry but I can't understand why you don't gun for it! I love working at home.

10 years ago

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CryptoGuru

CryptoGuru

to be honest your situation has to do with many different stages i believe you are at a stage 4 and 5 but i do believe your at a stage one also the reason i have for that is you do go in to mentioning that you can make more free lancing then actually working your nine to five job but from it does sound like you only work from time too time when it comes to your free lance work and to be really honest with you that it the main reason i said you have qualities of one, in were your at in your work

10 years ago

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Lynne

Lynne

Oh nice Cristian, that is lovely.

10 years ago

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hitmeasap

hitmeasap

I'm probably on stage four or stage five..

I do work online, and I've been doing that for the last 5 years now.. However, it's tricky and it's rough at times.. Often a few months per year. I do earn enough to make a living off of it, but due to it's "dark times" so to say, I've actually thought of a 9-5 job several times..

With that being said, if I ever go back to a 9-5 job, then I'll probably quit my freelancing career totally. I don't honestly think that I could ever do this part time again.. Or extra in weekends etc.. I love it too much. I'm dedicated and I work my ass off.. And I do it because I love it. So working extra online or a few hours here and there would probably never satisfy me enough..

Hopefully I'll be able to continue to work full time online.. But one never knows..

Best Regards,
hitmeasap

10 years ago

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Everett

Everett

That is when I would say invest into yourself. If you believe you may not be working full time online, than you need an exit strategy in place. My exit strategy is real estate, but it's also something I have been interested in for a long time and I'm just now finally able to do it.

If i ever had to work at a 9 to 5 again, I'm going to let the person who is hiring me know what hours I want to work, which holidays, etc. I will be in control, not the other way around. Know your worth, as I always say.

10 years ago

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hitmeasap

hitmeasap

I do invest in myself. That's why I'm still here, freelancing for a living. However, you have a good point. An exit strategy. The thing is, at least from my point of view, that I need to build bank before I come up with an exit strategy. I need to afford my living expenses, pay my rent and bills and all that, I need to afford the "dark times" too.. And if or when that horrible day comes.. And I'll need to quit.. Then I'll need a solid plan to stick with, otherwise I'll end up on the street.

With that said.. I can only afford to make myself an exit strategy by building bank. By earning even more.. So I can save a ton of cash... And that's just not an option at this time.

10 years ago

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CryptoGuru

CryptoGuru

yea and you know what i feel the same i believe he needs some kind of exit strategy and i believe we all do to be honest , you need to make sure you save and that your savings game is proper so too speak there are too many people who struggle but are afraid of change you know and it is that mentality that will set you back , i would say go with everetts idea find a exit strategy , and you know if worst come to worst and that does not work out and you do have to go back at least when you do get a job make sure you are in control

10 years ago

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Everett

Everett

Another thing to do is make sure you save enough to last half a year if something were to ever occur. A lot of people who freelance don't necessarily save money for bumps in the road, but they need to start. After my purchase of a car, I'm going to then pay for my real estate classes, and then the license, and after that I'll start saving money for bad times in the future. You never know what's coming for you, so it's best to be absolutely certain you have enough cash to cover whatever it is that you need it for.

10 years ago

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hitmeasap

hitmeasap

And that's exactly my point in my reply above. I don't have enough money to last six months. I could probably survive for sure, but still, I need to up my game, earn more cash and save even more than what I'm doing.. That's the only way I can ever find myself an exit strategy if I would need one.

However, it's also a bit "pointless" to look for an exit strategy during the good times.. Which is why most people doesn't have one.. Well, at least that's what I'm thinking.

People doesn't think about it properly. They just go with it. Day by day. At least I'm having some thoughts about leaving, exit strategies and all that.. But I just can't find one at this point.

10 years ago

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Lynne

Lynne

Yeah I've been thinking of investing in real estate. In the area I live in there are hardly any houses available for renting to full time renters. I think that is because this area is such a holiday attraction that home owners can often earn more just renting out homes to holiday makers during holiday times that they will happily keep their homes empty the rest of the year.

I'm thinking if I owned a few houses I could rent some out to holiday makers and some long term rentals. I think I could make some really good money. Now just to acquire some properties!

10 years ago

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Everett

Everett

Real estate has it's ups and downs, and I'm still not sure about it all. It's my goal to sell a property tha is worth at least $3,000,000 USD, and to gain at least $10k USD in monthly revenue from renters. The figures are outlandish but I need something to keep me going.

Soon I'll be taking classes for the real estate license, and I'm hoping it's not a waste of money. Because I'll have to travel to get the license, and we are talking buying gas, since it's so far away, and having the classes a couple times a week, it's going to cost me a lot, so i have my thoughts about it all...

10 years ago

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CryptoGuru

CryptoGuru

i see so it is the love of the work that would make things difficult , i would say at the moment you are stage five in the process but due to your troubles and how say certain things are looking for you you can always back to square one or even just stop free lancing all together , i can say stage 5 cause right now you said you are not working for no one but your self and all your profit comes from working online ,i would say as far as the trouble you face try not to stress just set back up goals and make you sure you have more then one way to take care of things

10 years ago

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Lynne

Lynne

Very good point, sometimes there are down times. When you work for a boss you have the security of knowing that you have a set salary every month. Plus you get certain benefits too, like if you are a woman that has a baby you get maternity leave. I had to work up until my due date and get back to work as soon as my babies were born or I would have no money! I found that really tough, but I had no choice.

In the long run though I prefer working for myself, there are so many benefits to it. Oh and I won't be having any more babies, so those really trying moments are gone LOL

10 years ago

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Everett

Everett

I am at stage 6, which you don't have listed.

I currently make all my money online, and at some point in the future I'll be doing the real estate business. So basically I'm doing things that make me happy, and not working for a gigantic corporation or whatever. I tend to like where I am at in life, and wouldn't trade it for nothing.

I don't even view my online work as "work" as it doesn't feel like work, it's actually pretty fun. If I worked at a 9 to 5 I'll probably be miserable. With online work you can basically set your own hours, and work for as long as you want to. So I basically take advantage of all the possible advantages of working from home.

10 years ago

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EliteWriter

EliteWriter

That is without doubt the best thing you can do in life Everett - working (as everybody needs to do that unless he is a lazy rich guy) and at the same time feeling the double joy of earning money while doing something you really like. I wish you the best of luck for your upcoming real estate venture.

10 years ago

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Everett

Everett

The best thing to do in life is to have fun, and live a full life!

Thank you for the good luck.

10 years ago

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CryptoGuru

CryptoGuru

i have to agree i see he went in to mention he is on an un listed stage , stage six? you make every dollar online and that is great then that means you are doing every thing you are supposed to be doing , you are executing your work that is what every one looks to achieve in free lance he has found a way that works for him and he plans on using this as a stepping stone into the next step of his life and i believe that is how it should be done good job everett keep up the good work

10 years ago

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Everett

Everett

Thank you, Jkeyz! Yes, that is correct. I make ALL of my money online, and survive quite comfortably. I live a very simple life, eat well, have enough to pay my bills, and to go out for the weekends. Nothing more I could want in life other than my other goal which I've stated numerous times (real estate).

I'm so excited to see where my real estate endeavor will take me. I just hope that I excel in the real estate business. Where I live there is many real estate agents, and it's very hard because there is so much competition.

10 years ago

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CryptoGuru

CryptoGuru

yea i agree man i love online work it can be great in so many ways i believe there are many more pros than cons when it comes to online work if you had to compare a nine to five to working for your self you could definitely list more things that make free lancing better such as working your own hours being in charge of how much you make not having to answer to no one you work on your own time there really is more to take advantage of , it is a lot more less stressful then having some one work you to death

10 years ago

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Everett

Everett

Yes, working to death, i know this all too well.

Let me explain to you a job that made me go to the hospital a while back..

Night Shift Stocker:
Had to stock the shelves, at least 1,000 pieces a night, sometimes way more. You have to do it as quickly as possible, and you only have 7 hours to finish. My shift was from 11pm to 6am. It was a killer. The night crew was always getting complaints because we could never finish.. Mind you, we had to face (pull all products to the front, and make sure the labels were out for aisles), and stock the shelves, and there was 19 aisles.

I worked for over a week about 9 days, without a day off, and there was just 3 of us, and I guess i was overworking myself, and i got so sick and had to go to the ER. I was severely dehydrated, and my blood pressure was skyrocketed.. never ever again.

10 years ago

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Lynne

Lynne

Ouch Everett. Things look much better now!

10 years ago

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Everett

Everett

They look much better, and I feel much better. Those days were dark, so dark. I knew I wasn't gonna last. The company wouldn't hire additional help because the manager would get bonuses if they could put in additional profits so the manager tried to earn bonuses by keeping all the profit of the store. And this store profited a lot, it was an upper scale grocery store, It use to make me so angry that the manager would allow for cashiers to be hired, but never anyone for the night crew. We are behind almost everyday, and the manager knew this, but didn't care.

10 years ago

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Webguy2024

Webguy2024

In my teens I took a job pulling out carpet from flooded houses. Many of these houses had sit for some time prior to insurance settlements and the carpets remained wet while developing mold and who knows what else! The smell emanating from the carpets filled the entire house and was absolutely one of the most disgusting things I have ever experienced. The smell was so bad everyone was continually gaging and even getting physically sick to their stomach while working pulling out the wet carpets. This job lasted one day because I quit but the smell stayed with me for over a week.

10 years ago

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EliteWriter

EliteWriter

After many years of trying this and that and signing up on several sites, and trying to make ends meet, I can say that I am finally earning enough to go by well, while doing something I enjoy doing at a time I can do it. When I was working out of home it was really difficult since there were transportation problems plus the problem of having to deal with the kids' schedules and so on. So I felt I was just like a robot. Now I love the fact that I can set my own schedule whatever way I like.

10 years ago

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CryptoGuru

CryptoGuru

and that is what it is a bout right by the end of the day is it not just a bout being happy and being more comfortable with your self and the way you live , too many times i see free lancers that work them selves to the bone to find they are still dealing with unnecessary stress and do not get me wrong every one goes through things in life that they tend to stress more then they should have and it is good you found happiness in what you do that is what every one strives for , to work and live as they would like

10 years ago

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TommyCarey

TommyCarey

I understand completely lol

I work around my little girls schedule during the school year and try to work when I can during her summer break. I still hit the 40-60 hours worked mark because when my girlfriend gets home I start working pretty hardcore

Whenever she's off during the week I try to get as much work in as possible. Some days I even work nonstop for 16 hours and then pass out when she wants to go to bed lol.

10 years ago

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Lynne

Lynne

The freelance parents club

I love it too.

Since changing the way I work I am much happier and so are my kids and my husband. Plus of course it doesn't hurt that I am earning more money too.

10 years ago

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ajlancer

ajlancer

Hi Razzy thanks for your nice question and you classified all freelancer stages one by one. I never think which stages I am now? I am working as fulltime freelancer over some years and I never tired to do 9 to 5 job and that was not my intention from the student life. And always looking something unique but worth. That is why now I am outsource contractor or internet marketer. I am spending over 14 hours each day for my freelance job and not like 9 to 5 job. I am working randomly. Beside, online work, I do not think any other alternative still. And my all expenditure bear from my freelance work and I do not hesitation to say, I have been earning very good of amount of money in each month, which I never compare with 9 to 5 job or some other business. So, I think I am in mixture stages.

Regards by Ajlancer

10 years ago

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CryptoGuru

CryptoGuru

i am glad some one said it , i can under stand the point of view you decided to take completely i under stand very much what you mean as you took the time out to mention how you were in some sort of mixture in between the different stages i feel as if some of the stages have similarities and even then some of them go hand and hand together i do believe that it is most definitely possible to be dealing with a few or more of these stages together at the same time periods, it all depends on what you have going on

10 years ago

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Webguy2024

Webguy2024

I guess that I am at stage 5+. Since, I love what I do I do put in a lot of hours but I can work when I want and as much as I want which, is perfect for me and my way of life. Currently, I earn nearly 100% of my income online. I do help my sister SEO her ETSY shop which, causes me to have to work to help her produce products and fulfill the orders. I prefer to automate the online work as much as possible to free up my time for other things that I want to do, this includes building new platforms, helping my family, having fun and ensuring that I always have the ability to live a balanced work/life as much as possible.

10 years ago

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CryptoGuru

CryptoGuru

yea i under stand what you mean , i can see why you believe you are passed that stage five , i believe that any thing that has any thing to do with what happens after stage five has to do with really being comfortable with and being a full on free lancer and working for your self all your income has to come from you at this point of course there is no room for an actual nine to five job and i know that it is a relief to be able to say you work for your self that is the over all goal

10 years ago

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Everett

Everett

ensuring that I always have the ability to live a balanced work/life as much as possible

A great balance of work and life is sometimes hard for some. When do you know that you're finished with working? As for me, currently, I know im finished when I met my goals for the day. I don't mind working for up to 12 hours a day, however I try to squeeze in all my goals into a time span of 4 hours. Sometimes it doesn't work out, and sometimes it does. However, I tend to believe since you're working online from your home, you should at least have a set schedule, or try to make goals.

10 years ago

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Webguy2024

Webguy2024

Sometimes when I come up with an idea that is exciting I will work on that idea for, up to 18 hours per day and for months at a time. If everything pans out I then either build it, scrap it, start over or start something new. I will work these long hours not, because I have to but because I really love what I do. If you love what you do the actual word "work" becomes irrelevant. All of the stages listed above are the normal stages of growth, just like building a business. Always, have a business plan and execute on that plan and growth can be significantly faster.

10 years ago

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Everett

Everett

Same goes for me, sometimes I get an idea, and will build upon it on for months at a time, and then just delete it and start over. This happens a lot to me, and it would probably continue to happen. However, this usually occurs when I am coding. So I will try to code an entire script, and finish it, only to delete the script and start over with something else.

I like doing this, it helps you gain more experience in the field you're in. I've learned so much from this, and probably wouldn't if I didn't try to create all these ideas.. lol

10 years ago

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Lynne

Lynne

Family is important. My sister helps me out often with things, she is a web developer and I sometimes help her with social media and marketing stuff. She has just started a new website so I will be doing some keyword research and content writing for her.

We don't exchange money really, just do the odd thing to help each other out.

10 years ago

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Everett

Everett

That's very nice, and it's awesome your sister is in the same field. If I could only have a sibling in the same field as me than that would be fantastic. Unfortunately, all my brother does online is play video games, not fun at all... well at least not for me.

I don't see the internet as a fun thing to do, or a thing to waste time. I view the internet as a money tree, and I am constantly picking up the money the tree drops. A weird way to look at it, eh? Sometimes people say that when I work online im playing online, but that is farther from the truth.

10 years ago

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MasterA

MasterA

I will say I am at stage 3 and heading towards stage 4. I have a 9 to 5 job and do freelancing part time but earn a decent amount of money from it although it cannot match my 9 to 5 job. It is extra income which I use to build up my savings and make other investments with it. I normally spend quite a lot of time on my freelancing career on top of my job and I am hoping to expand my team so I can go towards stage 4 this year. Having a team has helped me a lot handle the work while having a full time job.

10 years ago

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CryptoGuru

CryptoGuru

i agree man that is what it is really about, when you say team i am assuming you are speaking about specific people that mean a lot to you in your life people you want to bring up, that is my kind of team at least i love being able to help my loved ones out seeing my people happy brings me joy, the way you are handling things makes sense though i did the same when i was in those stages i had my job and what i did on the side and things worked out great so take your time man trust me

10 years ago

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CryptoGuru

CryptoGuru

i can say speaking for my self only that i am past stage 5 i am full fledged free lancing and with that being said i make one hundred percent of my money and income my self free lancing and working my businesses i manage and make my own hours based on how i have the day shceduled with my family and i find this to be great i get to spend a lot more time with my kids, i do not think i would be going back to a nine to five ever to be honest i have not found or ran in to trouble being on my own and i am always looking for new ways and new doors to expand so i have faith for the future and what it holds

10 years ago

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Everett

Everett

I don't particularly see myself going back to a 9 to 5 either, and simply don't want to. I don't want to be another companies bitch (excuse my language), get paid low wages, being told when to eat, etc. I don't see myself conforming to another point of view of how one should function in a workplace.

I like to exercise, eat, be entertained, and leave my house whenever and go where ever I please. With a nine to five, when you are scheduled to work, the company basically owns you. They tell you how you should act, when you can eat lunch, what time you will get off.. and I simply don't like that.. that is NOT working to me, that's modern slavery.. it really is.

10 years ago

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Lynne

Lynne

You got to use that language, there is no better way to explain it!

And don't worry about me, I'm a mommy with a potty mouth. I just restrain myself while writing

10 years ago

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Everett

Everett

I try to clean up a little. I don't want people to see me as a potty mouth but there is a time and place for everything, and that post was the time and place!

Sometimes I use foul language without even realizing it, it's not that bad words like "Damn", or something of that nature. Some say it helps you be real.. i don't know.. lol

10 years ago

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Lynne

Lynne

OK well I am earning a full time income online, working for myself but I am not freelancing. I have a few blogs and a number of different income streams from these blogs.

I have been working for myself for the last 8 years and I love it. I truly believe that if you are willing to put in the time and effort anyone can work for themselves and it will be much more rewarding (financially and emotionally) to work for yourself in the long term. Instead of putting all your efforts into making money for a boss you receive all the financial rewards for your efforts.

10 years ago

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Everett

Everett

Yup, I can no longer see myself earning money for a boss that I don't even know. I have no issue with assisting a website, and helping build a website. However, in the corporate business world I have many issues as stated in a reply above.

I rather work for myself, when I want to, how I want to, and where I want to. Get paid as much as I can without and limits being imposed on me. I don't have to do work that will not get noticed for promotions, etc. So it really is a win win type of situation to be working online for yourself.

10 years ago

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Lynne

Lynne

Sorry, forgot to say which stage! I would be Stage 5

10 years ago

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