Cold messages to people in my field, do they work? - 2 months and counting

A friend suggested informational chats and I do not know how to ask. It has been a long 20 weeks. Some people reply with short answers. What did you ask?

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

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