The Imperfect Podcast

The Imperfect Podcast – Episode 10: Strategic Networking, Online and Offline with Tom Etherington

In this milestone episode... our very first interview! Wendy Lloyd Curley sits down with longtime friend and LinkedIn strategist Tom Etherington to explore the powerful intersection of in-person and online networking.

Tom, founder of Connect Content and a former journalist, shares his philosophy on using LinkedIn as a relationship-building tool rather than just a content megaphone. Together, Wendy and Tom compare approaches, swap stories, and offer practical advice on everything from crafting a compelling “About” section to making real connections that begin either at a networking event or in a comment thread.

Whether you're starting a conversation in a conference room or with a QR code scan, this episode is packed with insights to help you blend authenticity and strategy in every connection you make.

🧠 Topics covered:

• Building trust before making the ask

• Strategic outreach vs. spammy selling

• LinkedIn content that starts conversations (not lectures)

• How to use personality to connect with the right audience

• Why your “About” section isn’t just about you

🔗 Plus, hear about Tom’s signature LinkedIn Roadmap process and how he helps professionals stand out online with integrity and voice.

🎯 Perfect for: Business owners, BNI members, professional networkers, and anyone wanting to get more out of LinkedIn.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-etherington/

In this episode I give you a behind-the-scenes look into the evolution of my keynote presentation, Rock & Roll and Networking. With the addition of AI tips and actually playing the music in the keynote, I'm confident it's getting better and better.

BNI Members prefer to refer (and use) BNI members when they need work done or services provided. Every day I hear members asking for BNI recommendations for professions that are not represented in their chapters. The opportunity to be a BNI Unicorn is real. So is the opportunity to fill your chapter with great service providers.

Three steps to success in almost anything. Are you doing enough? Are you doing it well? Are you doing it with enough people?

The Imperfect Podcast welcomes your questions. This episode addresses visitor etiquette... from inviting visitors, to welcoming visitors, to being a visitor.

In this episode, we discover the amazing ongoing learning of how this BNI system really works.

The BNI Membership Committee is a super important part of the success of a BNI chapter because it has the ability drive the culture. This podcast explores the different roles in a BNI Membership Committee.

This is the first in a long list of podcasts I can do for you where I share the keys of Strategic Networking. IN this episode I cover Target Market, the 'WOW" Factor, and the five different types of people you'll want to meet when you're out and about.

WLC shares the four things that should be included in the "I Have" or "Referrals & Testimonials" section of the BNI agenda.

Wendy shares her newfound understanding of the lowest common denominators for weekly presentations in BNI.