Here are seven things you should make sure to do, or avoid in your e-mails.

He can start the conversation, but so can you. Show initiative and start the conversation. In life being passive never pays so if you're interested write him and say so. You could write something like: "I'll tell you the boldest thing I've done if you tell me yours. I'm interested in getting to know you."

Ask questions. Lots of them. Dating someone who talks too much about him or herself can be a huge turnoff. Wait to be asked questions before you go into the "About Me" speech. He saw your profile so he already knows a little bit about you. If you ask your date why he lived in Japan or why David Sedaris is his favorite author, chances are he'll be psyched that you're asking.

He should be guessing about you, but not for too long. He may start looking for his next match if you wait too long to return an e-mail. You will lose your intrigue if you don't write him back within a few days telling him about the boldest thing you've done especially since he told you his. If he asks you out or for your number, quickly respond.

The e-mail love affair . The new guy gives great e-mail and it's exciting to see three e-mails from him when you log in, but don't wait too long before you meet him. It's disappointing to meet someone that you have zero attraction to. After the first five or so e-mails, I suggest meeting him so you won't be too bummed to lose your e-mail lover.

Copy and Paste: Don't. You're likely to make a mistake if you send the same "about me" e-mail to three online matches. A friend of mine did this and she sent the same e-mail to one guy twice AND she didn't change the name at the top. He never wrote back.

Just the right size. One complaint a lot of men have about women is that they talk too much. Although I've seen studies showing that men talk more than women, I do know from experience that some guys get freaked out by "chatty Patty." Don't write a long e-mail until he does. Once he does (if he does) then you'll know he has the patience for it. I suggest keeping the e-mail to two short paragraphs.

Even if you're not interested, send a follow-up e-mail. Its personal preference, but I think it's nice to get a follow-up e-mail after a first date.