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 have read a lot of threads here and could not find my exact situation. I want advice, not a job directly. Did any turn into leads?

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

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