I have a different philosophy about online dating that prevents the "wasted week" you speak about. In the year and a half since my divorce I've gone on about 30 first dates with people I've met online. What I do is exchange 2 emails, tops, before asking for a coffee or happy hour date (short time commitment if it doesn't work out) and then we meet and nip it in the bud. I've done the week of texting thing and it always turns out bad. The key is not to get overly invested or your hopes up for a couple weeks before meeting. Not that the dates are all bad, but compared to your imagination they will seem worse than they are, better to meet the real thing.
For me this meant having 3-4 first dates every other week (mostly scheduled when I didn't have my kids) and I found about ever 6 or so I would find a keeper, date that person for around 2 months and then find some reason it wouldn't work for longer and move on in my search. I think it's given me a great balance of "just for fun" and "real" relationships. I'm 3 months into a real one right now.
I'm curious about your physical stats because I have this theory that guys of a certain race and height have a significantly easier time getting dates than others.
Confidence is everything. I look ok in the face but I'm 260 and 5' 10"... So obese and overweight by any measure. I've never been single before 30, as I had married my high school sweetheart (don't) and I'm surprised how easy it is.
Beside confidence I think I have my shit together, home, car, money, I own my own business.... This goes a long way. I ask every girl I date about some of the gems they meet and you wouldn't believe how many single dudes are a mess.
Don't get me wrong I'm surprised how well this is going. I'm very picky about looks and don't want to settle so I have not been with a girl that was bigger than a 6. I swear I'm not vane but I was married to someone who let themselves go and it just ruined our quality of life (so says the fat guy!).
For me this meant having 3-4 first dates every other week (mostly scheduled when I didn't have my kids) and I found about ever 6 or so I would find a keeper, date that person for around 2 months and then find some reason it wouldn't work for longer and move on in my search. I think it's given me a great balance of "just for fun" and "real" relationships. I'm 3 months into a real one right now.