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

A friend suggested informational chats and I do not know how to ask. Thank you in advance. I worry about bothering people. What did you ask?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 12 months ago, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.

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