Cold messages to people in my field, do they work?, school bus driver here

I sent 6 messages on a professional network and got two replies. I worked as a school bus driver before this. I want advice, not a job directly. Did any turn into leads?

Follow up with a thank-you and a short update. One of my chats led to a referral a month later.

I asked what they wish they had known at my stage. People enjoy answering that.