Cold messages to people in my field, do they work? - what worked for you?

I want to talk to people in a new field but I hate cold messages. There are 5 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. I want advice, not a job directly. 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.