(WALL OF TEXT, TLDR AT BOTTOM)

I need some general advice and I'll give you some quick background of who I am and where I'm coming from. A year ago almost to the day I broke up with my first girlfriend and my only serious girlfriend with the intention of working on myself to make things better for her. I was a dead beat and I needed to get my shit switched around so she was able to enjoy herself when she was around me and not spend so much time trying to cobble together what little bit of effort she could to stay invested in our relationship. After about 2 months towards the end of her basically neglecting me entirely I decided to let her free and we agreed we'd try and get back together in the future after I'd fixed my side of the shit. Long story short we didn't. I'm now completely stuck moving on without her and while I'm over her, it's becoming increasingly hard not to lose hope when it comes to dating because of the varying degrees of luck I've had the last 6 months after she said we weren't getting back together.

On to the important stuff, I decided Tinder was the way to go as far as meeting a girl to go on some dates with goes. The problem is that I'm not very good at texting people or making small talk via my phone. I like to believe I'm a great conversationalist and that in person I can be a lot of fun to talk to but over the phone I think I come across as something different. Essentially, I'll lead with something simple and personalized to them so they know I'm interested in them and who they are. Very rarely will my usual lines work, but they do have about a 25% rate on success so I've stuck to it. "Hey! I saw you go to State University, who do you like it there? How's your break treating you?" That kind of thing just to spark up something small without coming off as weird or anything. Very often I'll get some replies and I'll continue to make small talk for a few days (5-7) before I ask for a phone number. So far with well over 100+ matches in the last few months (2) I've gotten the numbers of 6 girls and all 6 have failed to pan out in any way. Most drop communication with me entirely and I never speak to them again.

I can handle rejection, it's not difficult. I always walk away from rejection proud that I tried, but Tinder is turning me into a lunatic. I'm watching guy after guy ask to do grotesque things and still get a RESPONSE while I'm sitting here with my heart in my hands trying to be as friendly, kind, courteous and good-spirited as I can be and I continue to get absolutely no results. I don't think I'm an ugly person but it's hard for me to judge myself because I'm very negative when it comes to self-image. I try to focus more on the other aspects that matter besides my appearance and still I've come up with no results.

So, in conclusion, am I moving too slow? Too fast? Is making small talk and trying to get to know the other person a mistake in procedure? Am I not exhibiting the confidence I need to pick up these women? I want to clarify that I'm not looking for a hookup, but I'd happily take one at this point to eat through some of the self-hatred I feel on a fairly constant basis. I'm very devoted to figuring out my relationship status because I'm 21 and I'd like to get married before 30 and the window is closing quickly. Half a hear with not a single date and I know my odds for meeting a woman let alone one I could see myself marrying down the road is seeming less and less possible. I'm to the point now where my hope is almost completely gone. I'm also considering becoming bisexual because of how little I've accomplished with women. I'm not attracted to men but I think maybe pushing myself to try it wouldn't be bad especially if it helps me land an actual date. Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope someone can help me out because I'm peeling away piece by piece right now.

TL;DR: 21 year old looking for girlfriend -> wife. Want to get married before 30. I make small talk for 5-7 days from girls I meet on Tinder, of over 100+ matches in 2 months I've gotten 6 phone numbers and 6 different times have they ceased communication with me. Typical openers include "Hi! I see you go to State University, how do you like it there? How are you enjoying your break?" and that kind of thing. Most don't respond and the one's who do quickly lose interest in talking to me at all. I'd like to blame the fact I personally think I'm a hideous looking guy but the part of me that pulls me out of that negative thinking is telling me that there's something else I'm doing catastrophically wrong. Hope is dwindling, considering opening up to dating men for better results. Taking any and all advice.