Networking without feeling pushy - any advice?

A friend suggested informational chats and I do not know how to ask. Any experience at all would help. Some people reply with short answers. Did any turn into leads?

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.

Do not apologise for asking. Most people remember someone who helped them.