Cold messages to people in my field, do they work?

I want to talk to people in a new field but I hate cold messages. There are 16 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. I worry about bothering people. Did any turn into leads?

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

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