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Archive for mobile marketing

Mar

3 Ways To Build Mobile Into Your Facebook Marketing Plan

Posted by: Cheryl Lynn | Comments (0)

Facebook recently revealed big plans for Mobile platforms that the new Timeline format for brands will be available on Mobile. Facebook also revealed that more than 450 million people use Facebook Mobile on a monthly basis, and more importantly, that mobile is outgrowing desktop use on the social network 2:1.

For these reasons, Facebook has planned a variety of Mobile-centric products, including last week’s announcement that brands will now be able to advertise in Mmobile news feeds through Sponsored Stories.
These game-changing trends mean that business owners need to get serious about Mobile in 2012.

Here are three new ways you can build mobile into your Facebook marketing plan.

1. Mobilize and Optimize All Your Content

Timeline for brands is coming to the Mobile platform in 2012. They where not considering this last year but I believe that 2012 is the year for Mobile. When you consider that brand pages on Facebook Mobile have had almost no functionality I believe that Timeline for brands was launched specifically to enable brand’s Mobile Facebook capabilities—therefore Mobile Facebook ads. Perhaps?

And since users use Timeline functions on Facebook Mobile, Timeline for brands should be equally versatile, giving brands the ability to provide engaging mobile experiences for the first time.

Since nearly half of Facebook users access the site through a mobile device the local business brand reach could effectively double if you Mobile optimize your social content. And because users will soon be able to experience the same workflow on their desktops as their smartphones, page managers will now be able to curate an identical experience for all users, regardless of viewing device.

Whether you’re building a Mobile presence for your business, make sure the applications are seamlessly viewable across all platforms and devices. Ideally, you will be able to design once and deploy anywhere. That would be nice. But still today there have been challenges in this arena. Sometimes I have deployed an application and the Blackberry platform doesn’t present itself well because of it’s smaller screen. I cannot wait for all the manufactures get together so us consultants can deploy anywhere. That way, you avoid messy synchronization issues, duplication of effort between creative teams, and working around multiple content channels.

All the new platform framework for Mobile employs specific HTML5, CSS and Javascript technologies to ensure that the same content displays well on devices of any screen size. (I think this is where Blackberry has failed a wee bit.) In the context of Facebook mobile pages, apps built within this framework can morph Facebook page tabs’ for mobile, tablets and desktops’ with one build.

2. Blend Sponsored Stories Into Your Marketing Plan

To date, there has been no way to advertise to Facebook users on Mobile devices. This has been an enormous lost opportunity for local business owners up until now.

Now, Sponsored Stories premium ad units will not only appear in users’ news feeds (a huge announcement on its own), but also in mobile news feeds. Considering the many users who access Facebook from a mobile device, marketers now have a big opportunity to embed sponsored advertisements within mobile feeds. The challenge is how to make this work with your existing Facebook marketing program.

The most effective way to integrate Sponsored Stories into your marketing is to work them into an editorial calendar. Since Sponsored Stories stem from the activities of users on a business brand Page, create a calendar of activities that translate well to the Sponsored Story format. For example, a local retail store could plan its weekly status updates, featuring in-store specials and colorful coupons as Sponsored Stories. Just make sure to use eye-catching images to help your promoted posts attract attention. Read More→

Categories : Facebook, Local Business, Mobile Marketing

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Jan

How Are Smartphones Being Used?

Posted by: Cheryl Lynn | Comments (0)

Why is this study really important to local business? It validates where your customers are hanging out and if you tap into this Mobile Marketing strategy for your business it could possibly increase sales and client database for your business. When I speak with local entrepreneurs I always mention how important SMS texting and QR Codes are for their business these days and in the diagram below, from Pew Research Centers, it clearly shows that. Every business should be thinking of some form of Mobile marketing for their business in 2012. Have you ever wondered though how those smartphone users are using their mobile phones? To help you get a better understanding of how smartphones are being used to support your Mobile and Local Internet Marketing initiative, here is an infographic below.

By the end of 2011 there was approximately a 44% penetration rate of smartphones with an extremely fast growth rate. There are about 5.5 billion mobile devices of which 2.2 billion of them are smartphones. Every mobile device these days being sold can handle texting, that is of course if the end user has it turned on, that is no wonder why it is #1 on the diagram below. However, not all mobile devices can take a picture and have it render to a URL (QR Code Marketing) and that’s why it is #2. The #3 category on the diagram below is Internet Browsing which is used for Local Browsing, your clients browsing for your keyword such as “plumber austin texas”. Then #4 Email Marketing is where you capture their name, email address and cellphone numbers because your clients want to be reached by email on-the-go.

Now it doesn’t surprise me that Apps are #5. Apps have that sexy ring to them but Apps are the most likely to get deleted and not used, faster than anything else on a mobile phone not unless your App is compelling and your clients love it. I always suggest to my clients, put all the other marketing strategies in place first before spending the thousands of dollars to create an App. Apps are the first thing to get deleted also if a phone is reaching it’s storage limits. Apps take a wee bit of time to put together so to help you increase sales from Mobile and Local Internet Marketing faster, it is best to focus on the top 3.

Remember, print media marketing is going down and mobile media is growing leaps and bounds with a continued growth rate from here on in to help businesses increase sales.

Does the data below match up to how you use your own smartphone? Let us know in the comments section below.

Categories : Email Marketing, Local Business, Mobile App, Mobile Marketing, SEO, SMS Marketing

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Jan

SMS Marketing Case Study – Retail

Posted by: Cheryl Lynn | Comments (0)

There are so many local businesses on our planet and with over 5.5 billion phones and over 2.2 billion smartphones available to market to, it is an awesome way to stay connected with your clients who want to shop at your place of business.

In this case study it is a retail store in the gaming industry. They have an awesome desktop website selling everything from online games to games for Playstation 3, Wii, Xbox 360 and many, many other platforms. In 2004 they saw a report stating that the gaming industry as a whole was worth 10.3 billion. A couple of years later, they opened up their first store. They now have 2 stores and looking at expanding and adding more locations.

It was obvious to them that the demographic coming of people into their stores where very text messaging savvies. Just about everyone had or used a cell phone and constantly where texting. They where not sure if everyone had a smartphone, as they where thinking of possibly putting an APP together, but rather what they knew for sure was that just about everyone was texting one way or the other with their hand held device. It was crazy! It was at this point that they started thinking Mobile Marketing and began implementing campaigns to their clients through their mobile phone.

This is a true example of which I speak about every day to local entrepreneurs……Mobile and Local Internet Marketing!

Their text messaging campaign took only minutes to set up once they found the right company to help them with it! That was it and they where ready to go. Even when it came time to send out their first text message, it took less than a minute as everything was so quick and easy to do.

HOW THEY SET UP THEIR SMS TEXT CAMPAIGN

They selected a keyword representing their business. They then where given a 5 digit short code number. They then put that keyword and short code on everything and everywhere! They had it on their website, receipts, mailers, posters, facebook, e-mails and displayed it around the store in various places. They figured that if a customer was looking at something in their store, they most likely had a their mobile phone with them and they should opt-in to their message campaign.

WHAT THEIR FIRST TEXT MESSAGE SAID

They sent the following text message out to their SMS subscribers midday on Sunday saying “Our Street Fighter IV tournament is this Sunday at 7:00 pm! Sign up online at resetgames.com and pre-order Super Street Fighter IV for next Tuesday!”

RESULTS

With the last minute reminder via text message, they had a record attendance at this specific in-store event. It was awesome!

ADVICE FOR OTHER RETAIL STORES LOOKING TO LAUNCH AN SMS TEXT MESSAGING CAMPAIGN?

Promote your SMS keyword on everything! An SMS keyword is the biggest asset for any retail store. With the small additional cost to add an SMS keyword to a poster or mailer, you can generate hundreds of captive customers. Mobile and Local Internet Marketing is a NO-BRAINER!

If you are interested in learning more about this type of Mobile and Local Internet Marketing campaign for your business, please feel free to fill out your information at http://www.cheryllynninternational.com/contact or email us at support@cheryllynninternational.com.

Categories : Case Study - Retail, Local Business, Mobile Marketing, SMS Marketing

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Dec

Safeway Helping Customers Cook Their Turkeys With A Mobile App!

Posted by: Cheryl Lynn | Comments (3)

How Cool is this a Mobile App to inspire holiday cooking…..The Safeway Chef Assistant iPhone app.

Safeway Chef Assistant App

When I saw this come through yesterday, of course as a Mobile and Local Internet Marketing specialist I had to download the App. This is really cool! When I loaded it up from my ipod, I was greeted by the sound of a Turkey. It was so funny, Casey (our dog) started to park, thinking an animal was in the house. It was so funny! However, Safeway claims you can cook a turkey in a 2-hour window. Mmmmm, I am not fully sold on that yet. Since I haven’t cooked my turkey yet, I cannot honestly say that this works. I am really curious though.

Safeway is helping consumers prepare for the holidays with a recipe and a Mobile iPhone App. What a concept! Talking about giving customers what they want. Safeway did a survey to their customers and the results showed that there was an opportunity to build a broader awareness of all that Safeway has to offer to alleviate seasonal stress. According to the survey, 58 percent of women said their biggest holiday regret is being so busy that they don’t get to enjoy the food or company. To win back some of the lost time, the Safeway’s new Chef Assistant free mobile application shows how easy it is to prepare a flawless, moist and delicious turkey with an exclusive 2-Hour Turkey Recipe. In addition to step-by-step instructions on how to prepare, cook and carve a turkey, the application features four custom timers and reminders to ensure steps aren’t missed.

Combined with their Holiday Inspirations website and the “Chef Assistant” Mobile App, Safeway provides inspiring solutions to help with holiday menus, events but more importantly their Mobile App. What a way to be connected with their customers even when the stores are closed over the holidays. How many times do you think people will be mentioning the word “Safeway”. What a brilliant way of name branding.

The Chef Assistant app is available for free in Apple‚ App Store.

Mobile cooker

The app is aimed at moms and families who are looking for tips on cooking holiday meals.
Using the app, users can view step-by-step directions on how to cook a turkey in two hours.
Consumers can view tools inside the app to find the perfect cooking time for their turkey based on its weight.
The app also includes a three-minute video demonstration that walks users through the process of preparing a turkey meal.
Food lovers can also watch a video on how to carve a turkey.
To cater to Safeway‚ target demographic of savvy moms, the app aims to make meal preparation simple with four ingredients.
In order to move forward through each step, users must indicate that they have completed a step by tapping.
Consumers can also set a virtual timer to cook their turkey with voice reminders.
The app also features a section with commonly-asked questions about cooking a turkey.
For example, one of the questions is, should I not stuff the turkey before cooking?‚
In addition to cooking content, the app is branded with Safeway and its other owned grocery chains.
Safeway has also rolled out a mobile Web site that is holiday-themed with tips for entertaining and cooking during the holiday season.
Users can access the mobile site at mobile.safeway.com for recipes and receive tips from Safeway chefs Jeff Anderson and Debi Lilly.

Mobile Grocery Store

With the holidays quickly approaching, many grocery stores are rolling out mobile initiatives similar to Safeway. For Safeway, the special-edition app is a unique decision because it focuses on Safeway, consumers but does not offer any in-store features, such as a location finder or store deals. However, their mobile site features a location finder, deals and links to follow the grocer’s social media links, which are all important features for a mobile site to have. They created the Safeway Chef Assistant mobile app to help there customers spend less time cooking and more time with their family and friends jsut like their survey showed.

Cheryl’s Final Take

I think this is an amazing App for a grocery store. In September 2011, Safeway surveyed 525 women who have hosted or are planning to host a holiday party via online provider, Zoomerang. Given that 40 percent of the women surveyed said their biggest holiday stress is accomplishing everything that needs to be completed within budget, Safeway delivered affordable solution….FREE App. It is all about the customer and not about them, but yet, their name (Safeway) will be in front of millions of people all around the world even when their door closes for the holidays. What a great branding idea! Many grocery stores may want to model this type of Mobile Marketing strategy for their business.

Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. The company operates 1,694 stores in the United States and western Canada and had annual sales of $41.1 billion in 2010. The company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.

If you are thinking in developing an App for your business or you are considering implementing Mobile and Local Marketing strategies and tactics for your business, please visit our website at http://www.cheryllynninternational.com. We look forward to working with you and your business! 905.981.8761

Categories : Branding, Mobile App, Mobile Marketing

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Aug

QR Codes Used to Find Missing Persons

Posted by: Cheryl Lynn | Comments (1)

This is one of the reason I love what I do. Mobile and Local Internet Marketing is my passion. I love to help entrepreneurs with their QR code strategies. But this is even better…QR codes used for finding missing children? WOW! While QR codes have been used in countless marketing and social media campaigns, did you know that they are also being used to find missing persons?

Stephen Watkins, a Canadian father searching for his two missing sons, suggested the idea to add QR codes to missing children posters in order to assist police and passersby in finding them.

Another father, Henry Da Massa is still hopefully that he will find his daughter, Pearl, and has also been using QR codes. “It just bridges that gap between someone seeing something and having to make a mental note to look it up later,” said Da Massa.

In addition to parents of missing children, the Toronto Police have also been using QR codes on missing persons posters. “These new smartphones, that’s the basis of a lot of the newer generation communication and we need to reach everybody” said Const. Wendy Drummond, Toronto Police Services.

Using QR code technology to get the word out reaches a much wider audience than in the former days of the milk carton, and also allows for the inclusion of more photos of the missing person.

Do you think QR codes will help in finding missing persons? Let us know by commenting below, or on our Facebook or Twitter pages.

Categories : Mobile Marketing, QR Code, SEO, Social Media

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Aug

Small Businesses Using QR Codes to Engage Customers

Posted by: Cheryl Lynn | Comments (0)

Mobi Highlights With Case Study: Taranta

What’s black and white and read all over? Five years ago the answer was a newspaper, but times have changed. Now the answer is…a QR code.

In its simplest definition, a QR code is a two-dimensional barcode. QR stands for “quick response” and while it might look like a black and white kaleidoscope from the 1980s, the codes hold practical business purposes and are popping up all over the place.

With the help of a smartphone or iPad, consumers can download a free app that enables them to scan the barcode, which directs them to a website or webpage of the business, product or service.

Rather than bombarding the viewer with too much info, a QR serves as a quick link to viewers/customers interested in learning more about a business, product or service.

Already immensely popular in Japan, South Korea and other parts of Asia, QR codes are starting to gain momentum in the US and Canada.

Indeed, they are popping up everywhere from e-mail signatures and business cardsto “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” and even gravestones.

When a QR code is placed in a storefront’s window, shoppers can simply scan the code and instantly learn more about the designers featured in the window display or available inventory. In this sense, QR codes help bring offline customers online. QR codes can help improve your sales. Have a printed QR code on offline advertising material and offer your customers a compelling offer of your product or service.

Case Study: Taranta

In 2000, Taranta opened as a southern Italian restaurant. Four years later Chef and Owner Jose Duarte discovered he wasn’t alone: there were more than 250 Italian restaurants within his two-mile radius. Knowing he needed to make his restaurant stand out in a saturated market, he decided to marry Peruvian cuisine with Italian technique.

Duarte found his inspiration for QR codes six years ago at a conference in Madrid when he saw Japanese chef Seiji Yamamoto using a generic edible code linking to a recipe. Duarte wanted to replicate it, but he had to wait until January 2011 for the device to be ready for the U.S. A customized QR code was designed for Taranta with the shape of a fish on it (as seen above).

Taranta also has rubber stamp QR codes and silk screen QR codes on fish orders so customers can scan the code on the plate to find out where and when the fish was caught, by whom and when it was delivered to the restaurant. Duarte didn’t stop there in his self-proclaimed “code madness” – he even created a branding iron to stamp a corn tortilla with a QR.

QR codes aren’t the only new media Taranta uses; six years ago Duarte started a blog and he’s also on Facebook and Twitter.

Duarte said Mobile technology is an important way of connecting with foodies. “Mobile technology is growing very fast. We want to be ahead.”

But while Duarte offers his patrons shiny new toys, he’s a proponent of old-fashioned table manners. “I’m not intending to have my customers scan codes during dinner. I consider the use of Mobile devices during dinner very distracting and impolite.”

Primarily, Duarte intends the codes to be used in demos, classes or with customers interested in food sourcing. Plus, tracking the fish also serves an internal sourcing purpose for Taranta.

Duarte plans to also start posting the QR code outside of the restaurant to create coupons or promotions to increase business. “We are at the experimental stages but through our QR codes and website, our customers can seamlessly navigate our menu, make reservations, find out specials, coupons…they can even pay ahead for a glass of wine at dinner.”

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My recommendation is you have a name for your small business. You set up a Web site and Hosting on your own so you own this internet real estate. You set up an autoresponder to capture online clients which is a great source of increasing client base. You start an email campaign. You start blogging and referring customers to your website for purchasing so you are seeing profits from it. What’s next? You could set up a profile page on a social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn. These social sites allow you to virtually shout your company’s message from a technological rooftop.

If you require assistance in helping your business getting this setup please visit our list of services. You may also fill out the Contact form, write us an email. Wishing your business much success!

Categories : Branding, Mobile Marketing, QR Code, Social Media

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Aug

Add QR Codes to Headstones

Posted by: Cheryl Lynn | Comments (0)

In a blog post April 2011 I wrote how people where tattooing QR codes on their bodies. QR codes are so versatile which can be used even in the saddest time of our lives…the loss of a loved one. This past weekend I read an article about a company in Seattle, Washington designing and carving quality custom headstones, memorials and monuments with QR codes on them. Headstones will always be placed at the memorial place of resting for our loved ones. But thanks to the ever changing world of Mobile who would have ever thought of a QR-tagged gravestone. Now amidst the zeitgeist of smartphones, iPads and the Internet (and social media specifically) QR codes are a very real part of memorialization. This is a great idea to remember your love one’s story in stone to help families express their love, preserve their family heritage and work through the grieving process.

With this modern age of Mobile Marketing today, a person can take a picture of a QR code embedded on one’s headstone and sent it to a love one in another part of the world or leave their condolences right on their own website. Below I share with you a youtube video of just how amazing this QR process is. To learn more about our services please CLICK here or you can simply fill out a CONTACT sheet or reach us by cell phone at 905.981.8761. We would love to help you save your client or love one’s story in stone.

Categories : Mobile Marketing, QR Code

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Jul

5 Quick Text Messaging Tips For Your Business

Posted by: Cheryl Lynn | Comments (2)

: SMS Text Mobile and Local Internet Marketing

Mobile SMS Texting, when used properly, can make your business dominate your industry? There are now more Mobile devices than PCs and the number is still growing. Any savvy entrepreneur who embraces mobile marketing will surely reap benefits. However most people often ask me, ‘Cheryl, how will this SMS texting thing really help my business?”

Well, though there is no rule that SMS texting will gain the same result for your business vs another business, I have some tips that can help you.

1. Always stay clear from texting slang. Slang is usually a turnoff for your clients. Just use normal words and language that the ordinary person is used to. Some trendy terms (example: u, ur, pls, etc) may not harm though but be careful; your language will most likely influence your clients in pulling them to your business.

2. Get a service provider that supports your marketing strategies to increase sales for you and is cost effective. Imagine your business having a VIP text messaging Club with 20,000 clients, as some businesses have and you wanting to fill some empty spots within your business. Sending out tens of thousands of emails may be costly and not as effective as it would be if you texted your client on-the-go. By the time your client reads the email on their computer, your offer may be gone therefore driving no clients to your business and the end result…no sales. You need a service provider that can allow this kind of bulk messages at a cost you feel comfortable with and on a timely basis.

3. Integrate text-message marketing with other offline marketing strategies. Think of sending people and your existing clients to your place of business using text messages. Making your website a web sensation is extremely important. Having mobile and email optins are extremely important these days. Look for ways offline media can be integrated to your campaign. A little creativity is all that you require. Remember you need to test everything. You never know. For example: I was recently at a shoe store and saw on the front counter a sign asking me to optin to their mobile keyword for 10% off my current purchase. I did just that and I received not only the 10% discount but also 2 for 1 special. Ever since that day, that shoe store sends me SMS test messages when they are having their specials. If it wasn’t for that initial optin, I would have missed all the specials and the store would have missed my sale. This is a great example of maximizing your business sales through Mobile and Local Internet Marketing. I am sure you can come up with tons more of mobile strategies for your business.

4. Hold contests, have special offers and give coupons. Wow! This is a big one. If you have ‘a buy one get one free offer’ nothing can bring a flood of customers like text messages. Have people compete for valuable prices by send messages that brand your business.

5. Be patient and allow time to build your Mobile and Local Internet Marketing program. Just like any endeavor of business, time is the determining factor. It takes time to build a mobile number list and it takes time to connect to your client mobile list. So don’t give up too soon. You may not have a mobile list at the moment. However, start collecting your customer’s mobile numbers and email addresses. This is the most valuable asset you can ever acquire for online marketing strategies. Start by giving out coupons in exchange of their numbers. You will be surprised how supportive they will be. But give genuine reasons why you need their numbers. Say something like’ occasionally we do have sales for loyal customers only and we need a way of relying the messages quickly.’

Finally, if you need any help in implementing any Mobile and Local Internet Marketing strategies, please consider Cheryl Lynn International for assistant. We would love to help your business grow in both revenue and clients. Please feel free to comment below and share your success Mobile and Local Internet Marketing stories that has helped your business.

Categories : Affiliate Marketing, Branding, Email Marketing, Mobile Marketing

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May

SCHOOL ALERT SYSTEM UPGRADE!

Posted by: Cheryl Lynn | Comments (0)

IT’S TIME TO UP GRADE YOUR

SCHOOL’S ALERT SYSTEM

With just about every student on our campuses and school yards it would be to hard to spot a cell phone. Especially students they will even sleep with them. I am sure in most cases, just like my son, you could take away the TV but DON”T take away his cell phone.

In today’s uncertain world of safety, it is so important for a school to review their alert systems within. A college, university or school can very easily and simultaneously send MOBILE TEXT and EMAIL alerts to ensure important messages are read in time. These days Mobile SMS text messages have an open rate of approximately 95%. When it comes to our children’s safety, you can’t be too sure that every student has the ability to receive an ALERT message at their laptop immediately, but you can be pretty sure a student will get a SMS text message instantaneously. The #1 complaint amongst students is, “I wasn’t contacted in time”. Read More→

Categories : Branding, Mobile Marketing, QR Code

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May

How to Avoid the Biggest Mistake in Network Marketing

Posted by: Cheryl Lynn | Comments (0)

I saw this article and I thought I would share this with my clients as I know a few of you are distributors for Network Marketing companies. I too was involved in a few Network Marketing companies years ago. I am still a customer for for one of them which is a long distance service provider. They have great rates but for me becoming a distributor wasn’t a good business model match for me.

Here Is The Article:

Have your ever wondered why so many of your friends who start a network marketing business fail so miserably? Has this ever happened to you?

Big Ideas and then the Big Crash.

You heard the pitch about unlimited earning potential. You understood the idea that earning a little bit of extra money from the monthly order of each person who joined under you could make you a fortune. Of course it made a lot of sense when somebody drew the little round circles for you. But you found reality to be very different. So why is that?

Maybe you own a network marketing business with a reputable company and cannot seem to get it growing…..

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/51621

Categories : Branding, Mobile Marketing, Network Marketing

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Archive for mobile marketing

How Are Smartphones Being Used?

SMS Marketing Case Study – Retail

Safeway Helping Customers Cook Their Turkeys With A Mobile App!

5 Quick Text Messaging Tips For Your Business

SCHOOL ALERT SYSTEM UPGRADE!

How to Avoid the Biggest Mistake in Network Marketing

Mobile Mastery 2 Millions - Ebook

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