Social Media Fundamentals for Your Church & Ministry from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

1. you will learn the fundamentals of social media communications and practical ways of using it to grow your ministry.
2. you will learn how to structure your social media goals (with kpis) and put together a team to accomplish those goals.
3. you will learn how to organise your ministry resources and teaching material for social media.
4. you will learn how to package your ministry content (existing and new) - video, audio and written content for social media.
5. you will learn the basics of user-experience (ux) and usability to help you make your online presence effective - website and apps.
6. you will learn how to create social media campaigns and a social media calendar every month.
7. you will learn how to promote your social media content overcoming existing 'noise' and 'content-overload' on social media.
8. you will learn how to track what is working for you and measure the results of your social media posts and campaigns.

9. you will have access to worksheets and additional resources.
10. you will get introduced to 'the connected church communication model' with its 4 components.
11. at the end of the course, you will understand how to implement this model in your ministry with all the 4-components being functional.
12. you will learn how to use the 6-step s.p.i.r.i.t. framework to implement the communication model.
13. you will learn about some of the future trends and how to future-proof your ministry.
14. at the end of the course, you will understand how social media works and have the confidence to use it for your ministry growth.
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1. you will learn the fundamentals of social media communications and practical ways of using it to grow your ministry.
2. you will learn how to structure your social media goals (with kpis) and put together a team to accomplish those goals.
3. you will learn how to organise your ministry resources and teaching material for social media.
4. you will learn how to package your ministry content (existing and new) - video, audio and written content for social media.
5. you will learn the basics of user-experience (ux) and usability to help you make your online presence effective - website and apps.
6. you will learn how to create social media campaigns and a social media calendar every month.
7. you will learn how to promote your social media content overcoming existing 'noise' and 'content-overload' on social media.
8. you will learn how to track what is working for you and measure the results of your social media posts and campaigns.
9. you will have access to worksheets and additional resources.
10. you will get introduced to 'the connected church communication model' with its 4 components.
11. at the end of the course, you will understand how to implement this model in your ministry with all the 4-components being functional.
12. you will learn how to use the 6-step s.p.i.r.i.t. framework to implement the communication model.
13. you will learn about some of the future trends and how to future-proof your ministry.
14. at the end of the course, you will understand how social media works and have the confidence to use it for your ministry growth.
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Syllabus

In this section, I will introduce the course to you and help you understand how to get the best out of this course.

Welcome! In this lesson, I personally welcome you to the course and give you a quick overview of each module and what we will cover. This will help you understand the overall structure of the course.

In this lesson, I give you some tips on how to get the best out of this course as you work through each module (by yourself or with your team). I also talk about some of the additional support material that are available to you and how to access them.

In this lesson, I introduce you to the second module by sharing a personal experience that became a turning point in my career as a marketer and communicator. At the end of this lesson, you will understand how the 'source' of influence has changed and why, today, it is critical for churches and ministries to understand this change and embrace social media and digital communications.

In this lesson, I help you understand how the classic communication model has evolved to what it is today, thanks to technology and social media. At the end of this lesson, you will understand each component of the model (sender, receiver, message, medium, feedback and noise) and how they have evolved.

In this lesson, I introduce you to a new type of audience that the church is encountering today - The Connected Audience. I also talk about the 5 main types of audience so that you can understand this new breed of audience and how they are different from the types of audience that you and me are used to, as a ministry.

In this lesson, I go a bit deeper into the 5 types of audience and show you how the proportion of each audience is changing. We start noticing a trend of growth in the connected and online audience. The growth rate of technology-driven audience will be much higher than the growth rate of the traditional audience that the church is used to.

In this lesson, I will help you understand the characteristics of the connected audience. You will learn how they think, behave and consume information.

In this lesson, we look at the big question that many ministers have in their mind. I will help you understand why the Bible message is suitable and in fact, is more suitable than the most other types of messages for the internet and social media. You may be surprised about some of the points that we discuss in this lesson!

In this lesson, we look at the Great Commission from Matthew 8:18 and talk about how you and me, as the member of the body of christ, who have been given the assignment of preaching the Gospel to people, can accomplish this assignment using technology and social media. This is a big and final reason why we should consider using social media as an integral part of our ministries.

In this lesson, I introduce you to the third module. This module is the heart of this course. This module talks about the 'Connected Church Communication Model' and its four components. Implementing these 4 components in your ministry is the end objective of this course, that is why I call this module the 'heart of this course'.

In this lesson, to understand the impact of implementing this communication model, we look at the early church and try to learn a few important lessons from the way they operated. I will also show you how implementing this communication model can have a greater impact within the Body of Christ.

In this lesson, we look at the first component of the communication model - The Core, which is the WHY of your social media ministry.

In this lesson:

I introduce the first component of the model
I give practical tips on working through this module effectively
I give a list of practical questions to help you think through and come up with your core purpose statement for your social media ministry

Additional resources & documents for this Lesson:

1. Communication Model Worksheet - A PDF document which we will use throughout this course to document details about all the 4 components.

BONUS TIP: I suggest you maintain 2 copies of this document (printed out or as soft copy). You can use one copy to document your thoughts at the early stage as we go through various modules. And use the other copy after we finish module 4. Because module 4, which is the implementation framework, will give you much more clarity on the practical aspects of implementing each component of this model.

2. Sample Purpose Statements - A PDF document with sample core purpose statements for your reference.

In this lesson, we look at the second component of the communication model - The Community, which is the WHO of your social media ministry.

In this lesson:

I introduce this component of the model
I give practical tips for two types of ministries
1. Established ministries that have been around for a while
2. New ministries that are just starting up
I give a list of practical questions & techniques (like profiling) to help you think through, identify and understand who you are called to minister to on social media

Additional resources & documents for this Lesson:

1. Communication Model Worksheet - You can use the same worksheet you downloaded in Lesson 12 to document details about the 'Community' component of the communication model

In this lesson, we look at the third component of the communication model - The Content, which is the WHAT of your social media ministry.

In this lesson:

I introduce this component of the model
I give you practical tips for the various type of content that you can create
I give you a list of practical questions to help you think through, identify and understand the type of content you need to minister to people on social media

Additional resources & documents for this Lesson:

1. Communication Model Worksheet - You can use the same worksheet you downloaded in Lesson 12 to document details about the 'Content' component of the communication model

In this lesson, we look at the fourth and final component of the communication model - The Channel, which is the HOW of your social media ministry.

In this lesson:

I introduce this component of the model
I give you practical tips on choosing the right channel and how they are the most flexible of all the 4 components of the communication model
I give you a list of practical questions and techniques (like a channel survey) to help you think through and identify the set of channels that you can use for your social media ministry

Additional resources & documents for this Lesson:

1. Communication Model Worksheet - You can use the same worksheet you downloaded in Lesson 12 to document details about the 'Channel' component of the communication model

In this lesson, you will get introduced to the fourth module and a few important tips.

The S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework is designed to help you go through 6 steps and in the process, implement the 4 components of the 'connected church communication model' that we discussed in the earlier module.

In this lesson:

You will get introduced to the first step of the S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework - Structuring
You will understand the importance of structuring

In this lesson, you will:

Learn how to structure goals
Learn how to connect core purpose, communities and goals
Learn how to add a timeline to the goals
Learn what a KPI is and how to use it to accomplish your goals
Learn how to set a timeframe for reviews
Get some practical tips about goal-setting for a church or ministry, which is very different to the goal-setting approach of a business or a commercial organisation

Downloads & Additional Resources:

1. Structured Goal Sheet Document (PDF) - See the downloads section of this lesson

In this lesson, you will:

Learn how to structure your team
Learn about the various skill sets required for social media
Get practical tips on structuring a social media team
- Tips for individuals in ministry
- Tips for larger organisations with a team
How to get access to all the skillsets required for social media

Downloads & Additional Resources:

Downloads
- Social Media Tool & Apps (PDF) - See the downloads section of this lesson
Links
- Resources Page - Click the Link in the Links Section
- Community Page - Click the Link in the Links Section
  - Join our closed Facebook Group, where you can interact with other students, watch our live video with tips and tricks, have Natchi answer your questions and learn from other churches & ministries.
  - Note: This is a closed, invite-only group. So you will be asked for your email while joining the group, please provide the email id that you use to access this course. It usually takes 24 to 48 hours for our support team to accept you into the group, if it takes longer than that, do reach out to us at [email protected] and let us know. Thank you.

In this lesson, you will learn:

How to structure your source material
Taking stock of the available content
Organising existing material
Optimising the content for social media
Backup strategy for your content

In this lesson, you will learn:

Basics of structuring your online presence
Importance of structuring your online presence
Practical tips when your structure your online presence - the user-experience and the audience-first approach

In this lesson:

You will get introduced to the second step of the S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework - Packaging
You will understand the importance of packaging
You will learn about the two types of content that needs to be packaged
You will learn about the two approaches to packaging your content

In this lesson, you will learn

About 'Social Media Audience Behaviour'
How 'Social Media Audience Behaviour' influences content packaging

In this lesson:

You will get introduced to social media audience funnel
You will understand how it impacts content packaging

In this lesson:

You will get introduced to the third step of the S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework - Integrating
You will understand the importance of integration
You will get practical tips on integration

In this lesson:

You will get introduced to the fourth step of the S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework - Releasing
You will get practical tips on release strategy for your social media ministry
You will get introduced to a campaign-based approach

Downloads & Additional Resources:

Downloads:

Sample Campaign Planning Document (PDF) - See the downloads section of this lesson
Sample Calendar (PDF) - See the downloads section of this lesson

In this lesson:

You will get introduced to the fifth step of the S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework - Igniting
You will get practical tips for ignition strategy
List of triggers

In this lesson:

You will get introduced to the sixth step of the S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework - Tracking
You will get practical tips on measurement and tracking
You will learn what to track and measure on social media

In this lesson:

You will get a demo of Google Analytics and how to use it to measure the 3 important things about your ministry
- How people found you online
- How people interact with you
- How and whether people take an action you want them to take

Downloads & Additional Resources:

Downloads

Useful Google Analytics Resources (PDF) - See the downloads section of this lesson

Links

Setting up Google Analytics Tracking code (see the links section)
Setting up goals in Google Analytics (see the links section)
Google Analytics Academy (see the links section)

In this lesson:

You will get an introduction to module 5
We look at the importance of being prepared for the future
How preparing for the future is what God wants for us

In this lesson:

You will learn about Attention & Influence as part of the Behavioural Trends
You will learn about the challenges in getting people's attention in this digital era
You will be challenged to think about how you are going to influence the coming generation

Additional Reading - Links:

Humans have shorter attention span than goldfish (see links section)
As Attention Spans Get Shorter, Content Gets Even Shorter (see links section)

In this lesson:

You will learn about Connectivity Trends
You will learn about IOT - Internet of Things

Additional Reading - Links:

World Economic Forum Reports (see links section)
Global Internet Connectivity (see links section)
Internet of Things (see links section)

In this lesson:

You will learn about the future of Electronic Money - blockchain based finances, etc.
You will learn about security and cyber protection
You will learn about translation and other interesting language based technology
You will learn about self-driving cars and transportation technology trends

Technology Trends: Virtual Reality (VR) & AR

In this lesson:

You will learn about Virtual Reality (VR)
You will learn about Pokemon
You will learn about Augmented Reality (AR)

Additional Reading - Links:

What is Augmented Reality (see links section)
Facebook's Virtual Reality Research (see links section)
How Virtual Reality Facilitates Social Connection (see links section)
Microsoft's Windows Mixed Reality (see links section)

In this lesson:

You will get an introduction to Module 6
What we will cover
Introduction to future proofing

In this lesson:

You will learn about future proofing your ministry
The importance of staying future ready
Internal strategies that work

Congratulations on completing this course and taking the first steps towards social media success for your ministry.

Here are the 2 next steps:

Before I go to the next steps, I want to reiterate the importance of continuing the work you have started here and continuing to create useful content for your social media audience and serving them.

Step 1: Join our Facebook Group (see links section)

This will help you stay connected with the community. You can ask questions, learn from others and also get access to content that we will make available in this group, in the days to come.

Step 2: Stay in touch with me (see links section)

For most ministries this course and the additional resources listed is sufficient to get things going, but if you need a more customise help, you can always reach out to me by clicking here and I will be happy to jump on a call.

Finally, do not stop learning. Social media is an ever-changing field, so keep learning new techniques and methods so that you can use this powerful tool to serve many more people in the days to come.

Do not hesitate to reach out to me if you need any help.

Stay connected. Stay blessed.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides a framework for structuring social media efforts, which can be especially helpful for ministries with limited resources or experience in digital communication

Introduces the 'Connected Church Communication Model,' offering a structured approach to integrating social media into overall ministry communication strategies

Explores future trends in technology and their potential impact on ministries, encouraging proactive adaptation and future-proofing strategies

Requires joining a closed Facebook group, which may present a barrier to entry for those who do not use or wish to use Facebook

Emphasizes the importance of tailoring content to specific audience behaviors on social media, which is crucial for effective engagement and ministry impact

Relies on Google Analytics for tracking and measurement, requiring users to set up and navigate the platform to assess ministry impact effectively

Reviews summary

Social media strategies for ministry

Based on the course structure and objectives, learners would likely say this course provides a strong, practical foundation for ministries looking to engage on social media. The content appears well-structured, offering a unique framework and a biblical perspective on digital communication for the church. Key aspects include actionable strategies and resources tailored specifically for a ministry context.

Helpful documents and community.

"The downloadable worksheets were very useful for applying the concepts."

"Having access to sample documents and resources was a great bonus."

"The mention of a community group is encouraging for ongoing support."

Concepts explained well.

"The instructor's explanations were clear and easy to follow."

"I appreciated the step-by-step breakdown of the communication model and framework."

"The lessons built logically from one module to the next."

Content tailored for churches.

"It was great to learn social media strategies specifically designed for ministry goals."

"The course connected digital tools directly to the Great Commission, which was inspiring."

"Understanding the 'Connected Audience' from a church perspective was very helpful."

Provides clear, actionable steps.

"The S.P.I.R.I.T. framework gave me a concrete plan for implementing social media."

"I found the practical tips and workflow ideas immediately applicable to our ministry."

"The structured approach walked me through exactly how to start and manage our online presence effectively."

More on strategy than specific tools.

"I gained a strong strategic overview, but wished for more depth on tactics for specific platforms."

"The course covers the 'why' and 'how-to' implement a plan, less the 'how-to' use every single tool."

"Focuses on the overarching model and framework, which is valuable, but note it's not a deep dive into technical aspects."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Social Media Fundamentals for Your Church & Ministry with these activities:

Review 'The Connected Church'

Show steps

Familiarize yourself with the core concepts and framework presented in the instructor's book to gain a deeper understanding of the course's approach to social media ministry.

View The Connected Church: A Social Media... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'The Connected Church'.
Read the book, focusing on the S.P.I.R.I.T. framework.
Take notes on key concepts and examples.

Review Social Media Basics

Show steps

Brush up on fundamental social media concepts to ensure a solid understanding of the terminology and strategies discussed in the course.

Browse courses on Social Media Marketing

Show steps

Review basic social media terminology.
Research different social media platforms.
Read articles on social media marketing strategies.

Define Your Ministry's Core Purpose

Show steps

Begin defining your ministry's core purpose for social media, aligning it with the 'Core' component of the Connected Church Communication Model.

Show steps

Brainstorm your ministry's mission.
Define your target audience.
Draft a purpose statement.

Five other activities

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Create a Social Media Content Calendar

Show steps

Develop a content calendar for your ministry's social media channels to plan and organize your posts effectively.

Show steps

Identify key dates and events.
Brainstorm content ideas for each date.
Schedule posts using a social media management tool.

Analyze Social Media Engagement Metrics

Show steps

Practice analyzing social media engagement metrics to understand what content resonates with your audience and optimize your strategy.

Show steps

Track likes, shares, and comments.
Identify top-performing posts.
Analyze trends and patterns.

Read 'Digital Church'

Show steps

Explore additional strategies and insights on leveraging digital tools for church ministry by reading 'Digital Church'.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'Digital Church'.
Read the book, focusing on practical strategies.
Note key takeaways and action items.

Create a Social Media Style Guide

Show steps

Develop a social media style guide for your ministry to ensure consistent branding and messaging across all platforms.

Show steps

Define your brand voice and tone.
Establish visual guidelines for images and videos.
Create a template for social media posts.

Manage Social Media for a Local Charity

Show steps

Gain practical experience by volunteering to manage the social media presence of a local charity or non-profit organization.

Show steps

Find a local charity in need of social media help.
Develop a social media strategy for the organization.
Create and schedule social media posts.

Career center

Learners who complete Social Media Fundamentals for Your Church & Ministry will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Online Ministry Coordinator

An online ministry coordinator manages the digital presence of a church or ministry, which this course was specifically created for. The course teaches important lessons about connecting with the 'connected audience', which is important for an online ministry coordinator. This role also requires an understanding of developing content and running campaigns, which is taught in detail in this course. This course may provide the practical tips and framework necessary for an online ministry coordinator to succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Online Ministry Coordinator

Social Media Strategist

A social media strategist develops the overarching plans for a social media presence. This course directly helps with social media strategy by teaching you how to develop a communication model and framework. A social media strategist needs to understand best practices for social media campaigns, and this course offers a good overview of implementation, measurement, and future trends. This course is a great way to develop the knowledge and techniques for designing a relevant, practical, and effective social media plan.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Strategist

Social Media Manager

A social media manager is responsible for developing and implementing a social media strategy, which this course specifically addresses. This role involves creating content, managing social media campaigns, and engaging with the audience online. A social media manager needs to understand how to tailor content to a specific audience, which this course teaches by examining the 'connected audience'. Additionally, this course provides a practical framework for managing a social media presence, which is essential for a social media manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Nonprofit Marketing Coordinator

A nonprofit marketing coordinator is responsible for the outreach and promotion of a nonprofit organization, often using digital and social media. This course will be particularly relevant, as it teaches how to use social media effectively to reach specific audiences, a skill that a nonprofit marketing coordinator needs. The course's emphasis on content strategy and understanding audience behavior aligns with the need to connect with the public. This course provides practical implementation strategies for a nonprofit marketing coordinator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Marketing Coordinator

Digital Marketing Specialist

A digital marketing specialist focuses on using digital channels, including social media, to promote an organization or cause. This course fits into the role by providing a framework for using social media and digital tools to reach an audience. A digital marketing specialist needs to understand audience behavior and content strategy, which this course provides with its communication model and content packaging lessons. This course's focus on social media implementation, campaign planning, and tracking results is highly relevant for a digital marketing specialist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Marketing Specialist

Communications Coordinator

A communications coordinator manages internal and external communications, often using digital platforms. This course is relevant since it emphasizes a communication model and strategies for using social media to reach an audience. A communications coordinator will find value in the course's lessons on implementing a communication model, structuring content, and creating a social media calendar. The course provides practical tools that a communications coordinator can leverage to manage communication efforts, both online and offline.

See salaries and explore the career path for Communications Coordinator

Online Community Manager

An online community manager fosters engagement within an online community, often through social media platforms. This course fits this role well because it provides instruction on the communication model and audience engagement. An online community manager can use insights from this course to build a stronger online presence, create content that resonates, and encourage interaction within the community. The course covers both the strategic and practical aspects of effective digital communication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Online Community Manager

Digital Content Manager

A digital content manager oversees the creation and distribution of digital content across various platforms. This course relates to this role by providing a framework for content creation and management. A digital content manager can use the course's teachings on content packaging, audience behavior, and implementation strategies to ensure that the digital content reaches the intended audience. The course’s focus on the S.P.I.R.I.T. framework to implement a communication model can also be very helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Content Manager

Outreach Coordinator

An outreach coordinator develops strategies to connect with and engage with target audiences. This course fits into this role by providing valuable insight into using social media for outreach. An outreach coordinator will learn practical techniques for reaching the online audience and creating engagement. This course offers tools for implementing strategic campaigns and tracking outcomes, which may help them to strengthen their outreach efforts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Outreach Coordinator

Content Creator

Content creators are responsible for developing engaging content for various platforms, including social media. This course will benefit a content creator since it covers content packaging and addresses audience behavior. A content creator needs to understand how to tailor content for social media, a skill this course reinforces through its S.P.I.R.I.T. framework. This course may also be useful because it includes information about creating various digital content such as video, audio and written work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Creator

Marketing Coordinator

A marketing coordinator supports marketing efforts across different channels, often including social media. This course helps them learn how to use social media effectively for outreach and growth. A marketing coordinator will find the course's frameworks for social media implementation, content creation, and campaign planning highly practical. They might also benefit from the specific focus on audience analysis and engagement, which is fundamental to their role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Coordinator

Community Outreach Manager

A community outreach manager works to connect an organization with its local community, often using digital tools and social media. This course may be helpful, since it teaches principles of social media management and content creation, which enables a community outreach manager to connect with audiences. This role can use the course's material on the 'connected audience' and creating content for various platforms to maximize their engagement with the community. This course's S.P.I.R.I.T framework can also be beneficial.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Outreach Manager

Ministry Leader

Ministry leaders often need to communicate and connect with their congregation through digital channels. This course may be helpful for a ministry leader, as it focuses on social media and digital communication specifically for churches and ministries. A ministry leader will benefit from the course's communication model, implementation framework, and insights into the 'connected audience'. This course gives ministry leaders practical tools for growing their social media presence, which is important to reach the communities they serve.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ministry Leader

Communications Director

A communications director oversees the overall communication strategy of an organization, often including social media and digital platforms. This course has value because it delivers relevant information on developing and implementing a social media strategy. A communications director can build upon their understanding of effective communication practices through this course's lessons about audience analysis, content structuring, and communication models. The course's S.P.I.R.I.T. Framework may also be relevant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Communications Director

Public Relations Specialist

A public relations specialist manages the public image of an organization, often using social media as a key communication tool. This course provides a foundational understanding of digital communications and social media strategies that are relevant for this role. A public relations specialist can use the communication and implementation models from this course to enhance their outreach. They may also find this course helpful since it addresses the importance of online presence, content creation, and strategic campaign planning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Social Media Fundamentals for Your Church & Ministry.

The Connected Church

Save

This book, written by the course instructor, provides the S.P.I.R.I.T. framework and communication model that are central to the course. Reading it beforehand will give you a solid foundation for understanding the course material. It offers practical tips and real-world examples of how to implement social media strategies in a church or ministry setting. serves as an excellent companion and reference throughout the course.

The Connected Church: A Social Media Communication...

Paperback

Putting Knowledge to Work

Save

Explores how churches can effectively use digital tools and strategies to reach and engage their communities. It provides practical advice on website design, social media marketing, and online communication. Reading this book will give you a broader perspective on the digital landscape and how to adapt your ministry to the online world. It serves as a valuable resource for understanding the challenges and opportunities of digital ministry.

Putting Knowledge to Work

Paperback

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Putting Knowledge to Work

Kindle Edition

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Social Media Fundamentals for Your Church & Ministry

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Save this course

Reviews summary

Social media strategies for ministry

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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