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

I want to talk to people in a new field but I hate cold messages. I am in Salt Lake City, in case local advice matters. I worry about bothering people. How do you phrase the request?

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

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