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. I have read a lot of threads here and could not find my exact situation. Some people reply with short answers. What did you ask?

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

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