Networking without feeling pushy - what worked for you?

A friend suggested informational chats and I do not know how to ask. I do not usually post, so bear with me. I want advice, not a job directly. 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.

Keep everything in writing and save the confirmation numbers. It made the follow-up calls so much easier.