How do I ask for an informational chat? - 5 months and counting

I sent 16 messages on a professional network and got two replies. I am in Atlanta, in case local advice matters. I worry about bothering people.

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 5 months ago, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.

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