Replying to “Can I pick your brain?” requests
First, know that you do not have to reply at all. Your time and your mental energy are precious.
If it feels like someone did not put any effort into sending you a “pick your brain” email, you don’t need to put any effort into replying either.
Sometimes people have a genuine need, and the “pick your brain” format can be due to clumsiness or limited professional experience rather than laziness. In those cases, here are some options: