Cold messages to people in my field, do they work? - what worked for you?

I sent 11 messages on a professional network and got two replies. I do not usually post, so bear with me. 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.

Keep everything in writing and save the confirmation numbers. It saved me later.