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

I want to talk to people in a new field but I hate cold messages. I do not usually post, so bear with me. I worry about bothering people. What did you ask?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it last year, and it got easier once I kept a simple log of every call and form.

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