Asking a girl out can trigger nervousness in any man, regardless of experience. There’s just nothing like that empty space between your proposal and her answer, when it seems like anything can happen. Still, asking a woman out is the first phase in any relationship, so it’s worth taking the time to do it properly.

There’s no guarantees she’ll say “yes”, but, by simply paying attention to her signs and responding accordingly, you can increase your odds of getting a positive response.

There may not be one single best way to ask a girl out and you may need to slightly alter your tactics with every woman you meet, but here are four important aspects to keep in mind every time you encounter a woman you’d like to date:

Get To Know Her First

Some men emphasize asking a woman out right from the get-go, but they’re often the same types who date women solely based on appearances. If you want to date a woman who is not only beautiful, but also fun to talk to and fun to hang out with, it’s important to get a feel for her interests and style.

You shouldn’t take a sporty girl to the opera , just like you shouldn’t date a woman you have nothing in common with, since doing so is more likely to lead to problems down the road.

Think Outside The Box

If you decide a girl is intriguing enough to date, then actually asking her out comes next. Beautiful girls get plenty of attention from men, so it’s a good idea to be different and stand out from the crowd.

Whether it’s sending out your proposition in an unorthodox packaging or simply personalizing it so the wording is perfectly appropriate for its recipient, be sure to opt for something with both style and substance.

Be Casual About It

Of course, going all out doesn’t mean you have to come off as desperate. Girls tend to distance themselves from guys whose neediness they can sense from a mile away.

When asking a girl out, prepare yourself mentally to be OK with any response she might give you. This grants you the headspace necessary to craft a proposition that won’t be clouded by a neediness to hear her say “yes”.

Have A Date Idea Ready

Spontaneity is nice and everything, but if it’s a regular first date you’re after, you should definitely have something mapped out when you first ask her out. Unless you’re certain she’s into surprises, it’s also important to mention what the date is about when making your proposition.

Knowing what to expect will help her feel more at ease and comfortable spending time with someone new, and she can dress and prepare appropriately.

For something so seemingly innocuous, people do tend to be quite anxious when it comes to asking their crushes out. In many ways this is understandable, since from the moment you’ve expressed your romantic interest in someone, the dynamic in that relationship changes dramatically.

Don’t make the mistake of getting too caught up in trying to find the best way to ask a girl out. Remember, time tends to work things out eventually, so a “No” today might turn into a “Maybe” tomorrow and a “Yes” the day after that, which is why you should simply go out there and give it your best shot, regardless of what answer you might receive.

Take Things Further: Did you really hit it off? Ready to escalate the relationship and turn her into your girlfriend? Then, it’s time to use the GFAS.