Total Relationship Marketing (TRM) is a business development membership company built on a simple yet powerful truth: success is rooted in relationships. No one achieves greatness alone — we grow, thrive, and succeed through the connections we build and nurture.
At TRM, we specialize in working with business owners and executives, helping them expand their reach, strengthen their networks, and achieve their objectives through purposeful relationship-building. Our unique approach transforms networking from a transactional activity into a strategic and symbiotic process. The Total Relationship Marketing (TRM) methodology includes 4 distinct yet integrated components and turns the theory of 6 DEGREES of SEPARATION into 1.
The theory of Six Degrees of Separation suggests that every person on earth is connected to anyone else through no more than six relationships. In other words, your next opportunity is rarely more than a few introductions away. Attend events, especially those attended by executives in or close to your target market will uncover others who may share your target market. If they don’t share your target market, they may represent an opportunity for another Executive LINK in the system. That said, business events in general provide the opportunity to MEET contacts who may be prospects to become Executive LINKS or LINKS, however it’s often the random connection that makes it all happen. The key is to understand the importance of RELATIONSHIPS.
Our system is designed around three distinct but interconnected roles:
1 – Executive LINK (Entrepreneur): Business owners and sales professionals who are actively seeking growth, clients, and meaningful opportunities.
2 – LINK (Influencer): Individuals, connectors, and community leaders who have influence, credibility, and broad networks that can open doors.
3 – COACH: Executive LINK who fills specific coaching roles.
By working together, Executive LINKS, LINKS and COACHES form mutually beneficial partnerships. Each provides value to the other — entrepreneurs gain access to new opportunities while influencers, strengthen their reputations as trusted connectors and earn FINANCIAL REWARDS when successful.
In today’s business landscape, success isn’t about who can shout the loudest or spend the most on advertising. It’s about trust, credibility, and authentic connections. TRM provides the structure, coaching, and systems to help businesses and sales professionals:
Build trusted networks of partners and advocates.
Generate high-quality referrals and introductions.
Create long-term relationships that lead to shared success.
Total Relationship Marketing isn’t just a business strategy — it’s a philosophy of growth through connection
Success is not just about working harder. It’s about working smarter—by building powerful, symbiotic relationships. Total Relationship Marketing (TRM) is here to help you do exactly that. TRM is a membership company and proven system that turns everyday business interactions into endless opportunities for growth.
Imagine a business development strategy where your next customer is just one referral away. With TRM, that dream becomes reality. By harnessing the power of word-of-mouth marketing, we ensure that every referral is a stepping stone towards more customers, higher sales, and unmatched success.
Why is it so effective? Because giving is the key to receiving. When you help others succeed, you unlock doors to your own success. The TRM method builds on the understanding that the more you give, the more you get back.
The TRM Methodology: Simple, Yet Profound and is implemented in Three Phases
Set Yourself
Up for Success
Take Action,
Build Habits,
Build a Network
That Builds You
Total Relationship Marketing is a Membership Company and includes 4 Levels of membership discussed below. Membership fees may change from year to year, however, they are grandfathered from the date of joining. All members are invited to join by another member after which they will be contacted by a LINK COACH who will discuss options. A paid membership is a 12 month commitment.
1 – Executive LINKS (EL) – are entrepreneur members who both GIVE referrals and GET referred. When they GIVE a successful referral, they receive a FINANCIAL REWARD issued by the business being referred. When they GET referred which results in a sale, they issue a FINANCIAL REWARD to the referring member. FINANCIAL REWARDS aredesigned by each Executive LINK and posted in advance. MEMBERSHIP FEE 2026 = $2,000 annually or$200/month.
2 – LINKS (L) – influencers who GIVE referrals ONLY, and receive a FINANCIAL REWARD when successful. Should a LINK be referred through the NOLODEX platform, the referral must immediately be declined. Any divergence to this process will result in immediate suspension of membership. However, the LINK may accept the referral by upgrading to Executive LINK level by paying the current Executive LINK membership fee. MEMBERSHIP FEE 2026 = $400 annually or $40/month.
3 – VIP (V) – is a complementary member who has full access to the Million Dollar Formula Seminar and individual coaching services, however, only LINK members have access to the LINK System which includes the referral platform.
4 – NETWORK COACH – is an Executive LINK who has committed to building a network of Executive LINKS who have formed a group to build relationships of executives who wish to share IDEAS, INFORMATION, RESOURCES and REFERRALS. The network an be OPEN to all Executive LINKS without regard to industry, or CLOSED meaning only Executive LINKS sharing the same target market can participate and only one from a specific industry. The MEMBERSHIP FEE 2026 = $300/month or $3,000/year.
MEMBERS are organized by NETWORKS.
Members are organized by NETWORK. When joining TOTAL RELATIONSHIP MARKETING a new member is included in the FLAGSHIP NEWTORK referred to as a 6 DEGREE NETWORK, which is not restricted by industry. Members are encouraged to build symbiotic relationships to share ideas, information, and resources and ultimately build target market NETWORKS referred to as 1 DEGREE NETWORKS to turn 6 DEGREES INTO 1. 1 DEGREE NETWORKS are restricted by industry so as not to include more than one member from a specific industry. Where possible a MARKET COACH will be assigned to a 1 DEGREE NETWORK to provide market training, coaching and facilitate referrals and introductions. Any Executive LINK, with the approval of TRM, can sponsor a 1 DEGREE NETWORK and become the owner and NETWORK COACH, and responsible for meeting and NETWORK Development. of that NETWORK.
Memberships and NETWORKS are managed by NOLODEX our administrative partner. Click HERE to learn more.
Why Coaching Matters
Coaching turns potential into progress. It gives you clarity on your goals, keeps you accountable, and pushes you beyond your comfort zone. A coach sees what you can’t, builds your confidence, and helps you take consistent action. With the right guidance, you don’t just grow—you accelerate success. Coaching begins with the POP7 Assessment which is intended to identify strengths, weaknesses and inherent characteristics to determine fit within the system. Our purpose is to increase performance by focusing on skills, attitude and especially effort. Our objective is to build new habits becoming a self-manager and do those things everyday that unsuccessful people refuse to do.
This is called the ADMISSION TICKET which monitors that EFFORT.
NETWORK COACH (NC) – an Executive LINK, and professional business coach who is in business for themselves but not by themselves. A NETWORK COACH can own either a 6 DEGREE NETWORK or a 1 DEGREE NETWORK. A 6 DEGREE NC is responsible for PHASE 1, PHASE 2, and PHASE 3 and overall performance of a 6 DEGREE NETWORK. Membership is $100/month or $1000/year. A 1 DEGREE NETWORK COACH is responsible for the performance of a specific target market NETWORK. Membership $300/month or $3,000/year.
LINK COACH (LC) – an Executive LINK and business coach who is responsible for providing optional executive coaching to members equal to 90% of their usual and customary fees, When a new member joins TRM. they will be introduced to a LC COACH who is a match with the new member. The LC supports the TRM methodology, pays a referral fee to TRM, and retains 100% of net income. The new member is both a TRM and LC client.
MARKET COACH (MC) – a well connected executive from a specific target market who coaches members to achieve objectives within that market and both give INTRODUCTIONS and REFERRALS. A MC facilitates referrals to prospects in 1 DEGREE NETWORK and is compensated based upon performance..
PLAYER COACH (PC) – a PLAYER COACH is a LINK COACH who is available for field support. A member can interact with a PLAYER COACH in two ways: 1- Event coaching (by the hour) 2 – Facilitate LINK LUNCHES with prospects to develop new businesses opportunities. A PC is compensated based upon performance and an agreed retainer, however results are not guaranteed.
The number one concern of all sales professionals is prospecting defined as getting in front of decision makers in their target market. The Million Dollar Formula Seminar is a core component, addresses that concern by teaching 100 key professional networking secrets, referred to as COROLLARIES each valued at $10,000 hence, the name. Attendees learn how to attend events and turn idle chatter and chance encounters into business opportunities, opportunities into contacts, and contacts into multiple opportunities, turning meetings into money. Through the development of business relationships referred to as LINKS. This training is key to the LINK System and unlocks the secrets of Six Degrees of Separation. The training is divided into 4 video segments. and is available to all members and those interested in becoming members.
It is important to understand that the power of the Million Dollar Formula is the process of attending events, not to sell, but to build symbiotic relationships with others who share the same target market. However, in the process of finding these relationships, a participant will meet vast numbers of individuals who if not a prospect for you, are a prospect for someone else.
1 – Identify one or more specific target markets and works with a MARKETING COACH to build a Business Development Plan (BDP). The plan includes an analysis of a member’s natural market referred to as a PROJECT 100 creating an initial database of potential customers. If this exercise results in a viable target market, the member will conduct market surveys to learn more about the market and get introductions. TRM will provide a list of 100 business in profile including all contact information. The MARKETING COACH will help the member discover pathways to specific prospects to open opportunities. Each member is encouraged to research the geographic market to discover where these prospects congregate or meet to share ideas, information, and resources. Each member should join the local association of executives in their target market and should look to join a 1 DEGREE NETWORK targeting the specific market.
2 – Complete the MILLION DOLLAR FORMULA training to learn how to attend events attended by executives in their target market or other executives with access to them. These individuals a re known as LINKS.
3 – Attend 1 EVENT each week with specific objectives. These objectives are a measurement of EFFORT
Where possible, TRM will appoint a MARKET COACH to facilitate introductions and referrals. The MARKET COACH is a member of the target market association as well as other organizations where they have influence
4 – Meet 5 Strangers to identify potential LINKS to a target market and give each a TRM electronic business Card and complementary VIP Membership.
A VIP member has 24/7 access to the Million Dollar Formula Skills Training seminar, however, only Executive LINKS receive the ADMISSION TICKET implementation coaching as well as other TRM coaching services which are available to Executive LINK members at a discount.
5 – Conduct 2 lunches to determine if a LINK relationship is appropriate.
6 – Give 5 INTRODUCTIONS to LINK candidates and Executive LINKS
7 – Invite one or more LINK candidates to JOIN and earn a FINANCIAL REWARD when successful.
At the conclusion of each week, a participant submits an ADMIISSION TICKET to their COACH who provides feedback and coaching. The image below tracks performance and quantifies effort with a point system. Each week a participant should earn 25 points and at the conclusion of 12 weeks, 300 points.
If a participant achieves 300 points, they will have established new habits key to success.
If a participant achieves 300 POINTS at the end of 12 weeks but does not achieve a 100% ROI, memberships fees will be suspended until 100% is achieved.
Introduction:
An introduction is when someone simply connects two people — typically via email, text, or in person — so they can get to know each other.
Example: “David, meet Sarah. Sarah, meet David. I think you two might have some things in common.”
The person making the introduction is neutral — they aren’t vouching for either party’s credibility or making a specific recommendation.
Referral:
A referral, on the other hand, includes a personal endorsement and recommendation. The person giving the referral is actively advocating for one party, saying, “You should do business with this person — I trust them.”
Example: “Sarah, you need to talk to David. He’s helped several of my colleagues grow their businesses using TRM — I’m confident he can help you too.”
Introduction: Based on neutral trust — the connector is facilitating a meeting but taking no stance on credibility or fit.
Referral: Based on transferred trust — the connector is lending their reputation to the referred party.
Introduction: The goal is conversation or connection — it may lead to a relationship or it may not. In fact, however, it may lead to a sale.
Referral: The goal is action — a sale, a client relationship, a partnership, etc.
In Total Relationship Marketing, introductions build the network (LINKS), while referrals create results (mutual success and rewards).
You can think of it as: Introductions build bridges. Referrals move traffic across them. Although the INTENT is different, in both cases the eventual outcome could be the same
FINANCIAL REWARD – Getting paid for giving a referral is not “greedy”; it’s acknowledging that your influence has real value. When you receive a FINANCIAL REWARD for giving a successful referral you are receiving a THANK YOU for your efforts. It’s like an advertiser paying for advertising only when it works. The FINANCIAL REWARD is either 10% of gross revenue or a larger % of margin, is paid unless prohibited by law, and is exponentially less than any other means of advertising.
If you’re already connecting people, making introductions, and recommending good services, a referral reward simply aligns money with reality:
You’re helping someone win a new client.
You’re helping the client solve a problem.
You’re using your reputation and network as an asset.
Referrals are usually warm, simple, and fast compared to chasing cold prospects. When you receive rewards:
You can generate “bonus income” on top of your main business.
A few strong relationships can create recurring referral rewards.
It feels like “found money” because you’re not doing all the heavy lifting of fulfillment.
Knowing there’s a reward often makes you:
More attentive to opportunities in conversations.
More intentional about truly understanding others’ needs so you can match them well.
When done ethically, this increases the number of good connections you create, not just the number of random ones.
If you receive rewards from people you already believe in:
You tend to stay more engaged with their success.
You often learn more about their offers so you can refer better-fit clients.
You create long-term, “we grow together” relationships rather than one-off introductions.
NEW SALES – We know that for every three referrals received: one will be sold this year, one next year and one never which means that if an Executive LINK receives 300 promoted referred leads they will complete 100 sales. If the average commission per sale is $1,000, new revenue received will be $100,000 and FINANCIAL REWARDS of $10,000 will be paid out.
Every client or colleague can become a “mini sales rep” for you:
You only pay when results happen (performance-based).
There’s no salary, no benefits, no overhead.
The risk is low: you’re sharing profit from real revenue, not speculative leads.
Incentivizes the giving of referred leads increasing the number being received.
NEW SALES – We know that for every three referrals received: one will be sold this year, one next year and one never which means that if an Executive LINK receives 300 promoted referred leads they will complete 100 sales. If the average commission per sale is $1,000, new revenue received will be $100,000 and FINANCIAL REWARDS of $10,000 will be paid out.
This is especially powerful for small businesses or solo professionals who can’t afford a big marketing budget.
People naturally talk about businesses they like. A financial reward:
Gives them a tangible reason to talk a little more often.
Nudges them to be intentional: “Who do I know that really needs this?”
Helps your message travel into networks you’d never reach on your own.
By paying referral rewards, you’re saying:
“Your trust in me matters enough that I’m sharing profits with you.”
“I see you as a partner, not just a customer.”
This can strengthen loyalty and retention, and make people feel proud to be associated with your success.
A defined reward structure (e.g., 10% of first sale, flat $250 per closed deal, etc.) helps you:
Forecast your cost of acquisition.
Track which partners or sources are most valuable.
Refine offers or messaging that your best referrers are using.
NEW SALES – We know that for every three referrals received: one will be sold this year, one next year and one never which means that if an Executive LINK receives 300 promoted referred leads they will complete 100 sales. If the average commission per sale is $1,000, new revenue received will be $100,000 and FINANCIAL REWARDS of $10,000 will be paid out.
The referrer wants to protect their reputation, so they send you quality referrals.
You want to deliver an excellent experience, because it reflects on your referrer.
The referred client benefits from that extra care and trust in the process.
When handled openly:
The referrer feels appreciated and rewarded.
You grow your business and can serve more people.
The referred client often becomes another referrer—multiplying the effect.
TO GIVE an INTRODUCTION or REFERRAL, proceed as follows. 300
INCENTIVIZED REFERRALS NOW
David Edstrom Coach & Consultant, Telephone: 912-484-1074, Email: David@TotalRelationshipMarketing.com,
Address:301 Harbour Place Drive, Tampa, Florida 33602
