Cold messages to people in my field, do they work? - 10 months and counting

A friend suggested informational chats and I do not know how to ask. Thank you in advance. Some people reply with short answers. What did you ask?

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

Follow up with a thank-you and a short update. One of my chats led to a referral a month later.