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

A friend suggested informational chats and I do not know how to ask. I do not usually post, so bear with me. I worry about bothering people. What did you ask?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 5 months ago, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.

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