How do I ask for an informational chat? (Raleigh)

I want to talk to people in a new field but I hate cold messages. It has been weighing on me all week. I worry about bothering people. 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 last year, and it settled down once I kept a simple log of every call and form.