Online dating is more looks-influenced since it's harder to demonstrate other aspects of your value as you would in person. So even the most godly opener you can come up with in online dating won't do you much good if you're not hot compared to the other 100 options they have. In person though, you bypass that because unlike those other 100 options, you're right there in front of them and you're projecting a vibe already, so you save a lot of time and bypass some things.

But here's what I've noticed from online dating, that you could directly apply. I've been messaging 40 chicks on POF a day and out of 10 messages, I might get one reply, then out of 5 replies, I might get one number. In the past, I would never go to those lengths on online dating because I considered myself "above it" even though I was average looking, because my ego was getting in the way of my success. It seems like the same applies for cold approaching, except with cold approaching, your odds are better, as long as you have the same mentality as you would with online dating of mass sending partially tailored messages, and being self-amused, and doing quick convo and going for the close. There's bound to be like 1 out of 250 chicks that does something with you, even if you're average looking and your game is trash but you know the basics IRL. Some chicks won't like that you're getting to know them a bit, then going for the number and date, sure. But those chicks you won't want to date anyways. So if you get rejected for being too adamant about your wants/needs, just know you'll be miserable with that chick if you changed your game and be needy to cater to her specifically. And you don't care because your ego isn't in the way and you can just spend 30 mins doing 10 approaches. Also in the same way that you need to move things along and take risks in online dating, the same should apply for IRL dating with escalating. You're practicing social skills, beating approach anxiety, and having fun. It's a win-win all around. Even if you think you have the best social skills, it's important touch-up on them anyways.