I usually make first contact with a lady via PM providing they are online regularly. I would normally do this a day or so in advance of my planned meeting to see if the lady would be available.
You can get some idea of a person via PM but when you actually speak to them for the first time on the phone this is where you make a real connection. The fact that they know who is calling them at this point will probably make the call a little more personal.
I know many guys just pick up the phone and ring the ladies — they won't have a clue who it is that is ringing them so might be slightly less personal.
Either way — do you get excited when you talk to a lady for the first time on the phone? Do some excite you more than others? Is it their accent or the way they talk to you?
For me there are a couple of memorable first calls — all for different reasons. One surprised me because I had not contacted her ever previously but she came across as though she really knew me..... Turns out she did know who I was as she had my phone number in her phone (her friend gave it to her) LOL
Another lady had such a sexy voice and seductive accent I just melted — I could hardly take in what she was telling me about the directions to her apartment.