Okay, so I'm guessing I'll get a grip of interesting responses to this question....
After finding someone you're interested in getting to know a little better and deciding that it's time to make the first move and try to strike up an email conversation with them what is the best approach to take in the first email? I mean should it just say something like "Hi. Send me an email if you wanna talk some". Should it be a little more deep like along the lines of "Hi. I'm (fill in the blank) and here's a little bit about me, so now tell me a little more about yourself"? I realize this is probably a silly question to ask but I always find that this is the most difficult part for me, and obviously the whole waiting for them thing doesn't always work. Any advice on this?

Whatever it is I'm guessing it's the total opposite of what I do. I've tried several different ways and none seem to be highly successful, so, maybe there isn't a 'best' way? Maybe we should all just leave it to fate and hope for the best?

I just send a Hey How's it going email and wait for a reply. I do pretty well with that. If they are at all interested, i get a fine, how are you, then we are off!

Just be honest and say the real reason you wanted to e-mail them.

Think about it, what made you want to e-mail a person? Tell them that in your e-mail and if that doesn't work, well, move to the next one.

goodluck

Thanks everyone for the advice. I really appreciate it.

Well sometimes I send a short email and get a reply. Then when I write more, I never get any more replies. Kinda strange how that works. I guess what gearhead said, leave it to fate, because that is what it is. I think that a good part of why sometimes we never get replies is just as simple as how our picture looks. I hate to say it, but it's true. Then, of course, it's the age, location and race. Did I miss anything?

I email a hi, introduce myself, tell a little bit about myself, and then ask a few questions, usually in regard to their profile, if I can. Then I say "look forward to hearing from you". In my experience, people love to answer questions about themselves. (And I always tell the cute ones I think they are cute. Who doesnt love unsolicited compliments?)