Networking without feeling pushy - what worked for you?

I sent 18 messages on a professional network and got two replies. I do not usually post, so bear with me. Some people reply with short answers. 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.

I wrote three short lines: who I am, why them and a small ask for fifteen minutes. About one in four said yes.