Networking without feeling pushy - 18 weeks in

I sent 9 messages on a professional network and got two replies. It has been a long 18 weeks. I want advice, not a job directly. What did you ask?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 4 months ago, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.

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