You’ve winked. You’ve emailed. You want that date! How are you going to get there?

Follow these five easy steps to take your romance into the physical world!

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Step 1: Exchange at least three emails.
Find out the light basics. Do you share mutual interests? Does she like dogs while you like cats? Does he only watch Dodgers baseball, while you’re a raving Patriots football fan, (and you don’t touch sports for the rest of the year)? Is he Tom Waits while you’re Alicia Keys? These things are important!

Step 2: Confirm the profile facts.
We get you started by screening for felonies and requiring members to certify that they aren't married, but you still want to ask some questions. If he said in the profile he wants kids, does he mean it? What does "special holidays" really mean to him? If what a person has reported in a profile seems in error after you talk to him or her, trust your instincts. If you feel comfortable asking why, ask. Otherwise, report the inaccuracy to TRUE Customer Care.

Step 3: Meet for a chat date.
Set a date and a time for the TRUE chat rooms. Set a limit ahead of time. For example, "Let’s meet for 5 minutes Thursday night at 7 p.m. in the Flirting Fun." If conversation flows easily, move to Step 4.

Step 4: Move to the phone.
This is the part where real names start to come up. Caller ID has a funny way of revealing who you are. The point is, if you’re ready to move to the phone, you should be ready to reveal at least a first name. However, daters are responsible for exercising common sense and safeguarding themselves. Using a cell phone that cannot be traced to a physical address is one way to help keep yourself safer.

Step 5: The clincher.

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For more tips on making TRUE work for you, visit the TRUE Coaching Center. Welcome to Ask Fite – a column dedicated to answering your questions about TRUE, profiles, chat rooms, winks and email. I’m Fite. I’m a real person, and it’s my job to help you improve your profile. Write me! I'm here to help. Send an email to Fite right now! Ready to find someone? Search now>>

Again, set a limit at the beginning of the conversation so both of you have realistic expectations: "I can talk for about 10 minutes and then I have to go." Follow up on conversations you’ve already had in email. "Tell me more about (subject)." Each of you should plan on talking for 5 minutes. At the end of the 10 minutes, if the conversation isn’t naturally winding down, say "You know, it’s been great talking with you, but I have to go." If one of you wants to follow through with an invitation for coffee or a meeting, this is the time to do it, if not, you say, "thanks for the conversation" and "goodbye."

Not all phone calls are going to end with a date. Sometimes when you get on the phone, the person’s voice will just strike you wrong. The beauty of online dating is that you’re allowed to screen ahead of time, to avoid the awkwardness of having to say "no, thanks" in person.

Still need advice on how to take your romance to the real world? I’m here for you – email me!

Want me to use your profile in an upcoming column! Email me! But don’t worry – unless you give me permission to use your profile for a column (with names and identifying details changed), everything we discuss will remain confidential.