How do I ask for an informational chat? after 14 years as a copywriter

I want to talk to people in a new field but I hate cold messages. Some people reply with short answers. Did any turn into leads?

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

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 6 months ago, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.