How do I ask for an informational chat? - 9 months and counting

I sent 15 messages on a professional network and got two replies. I am in Kansas City, in case local advice matters. I worry about bothering people. 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.

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