I ask for the phone number when they respond the first time, call and ask out on the first phone call. I have a 75-80% rate of getting the phone number when I ask, and a 100% first date close success rate on the first phone call. I've never heard "Let's keep talking" or somesuch. Here's what I do:
1. My profile is designed to subtly sell a fast in person meet, every line in it is designed to give the impression that going on a date with me is easy and fun, that I am socially experienced and a limited high-class quantity. One of the last lines in my profile is "I am here looking to meet new people, don't have time for extended pen pal relationships, so be ready to go out and have some fun and we will!" No long lists of "what I'm looking for" or "about me" other than a few basic facts. It's mostly all selling a date, asking lots of questions in the profile. "Do you like to grab a quick appetizer and drink at the bar of a cool local place?"
2. There used to be a question on match that qualified whether women liked an assertive man. "Confident and assured" or something like that. It is worded in such a way that everyone answers yes. After they respond to my first email, I respond with no more than one paragraph follow up on things they said or asked, then with "Your profile says you prefer confident and assured men, so let's talk on the phone. Please send your number along if you are comfortable with that, or if not yet, here's mine. I'm generally available after 8PM most week nights." Almost all send the number, a handful would call me within 48 hours. If they say they like assertive men, here's the chance to prove it or look hypocritical. You never ever say that, but it's clear enough.
3. On the first phone call, I have a pretty good idea as to their neighborhood. I have found one of my favored places, or a new one, in the area that is trendy and as unique as possible. Usually a good restaurant that has a nice sized, comfortable bar. I have also found some kind of active thing near there, a walk through XY. On the call I want to project "warm, playful, light and leading."
After 5-10 minutes of chat and teasing, which is more "playfulfunny than cckyfunny" (smile while talking) I say something like, "I've been wanting to get back to XYZ for awhile, would you like to share an appetizer and drink with me there next Monday night?" and then shut up, don't say anything no matter how long the pause (just like the sales technique).
You are sending many useful cues with the above, you are used to going out relatively near her, know where the cool places are that women like, and like going to them, you are busy and not anywhere close to giving her any of your precious weekend time, she better take it now while she has a chance. It's not going to be a 5 hour date, no full meal, little pressure or buildup, it's easy and in her neighborhood. In all likelihood it's a place she has been or likes to go. It's a place she can brag about to her friends who went on another pvssy drying coffee date.
If she says yes, and I have seriously never had one say no in over 50 OLD dates over the years, then you say something like "want to meet near XY and walk through the Z on our way? or just meet at the place?" Walking near her, showing her your body in motion, getting some kino working, getting heart rate up a little, is very important, but some of them won't want to do this. Most will.
Once face to face you are on your own, and then there's something there to work with or not. I have done the above at ages from late 30s to late 40s. I have no reason to believe it won't work for all ages. The cost of this date is $25-30. I'm not getting cleaned up and dressed after work to go for coffee, it needs to be something fun, so I don't mind the cost. Still MASSIVELY cheaper than going out and spending $150 for a full night out and coming home with a few phone numbers. YMMV of course.
