How do I ask for an informational chat? - what worked for you?

I sent 11 messages on a professional network and got two replies. I have been trying to stay organised about it. I worry about bothering people. What did you ask?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it last year, and it got easier 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.