This is difficult to answer because every guy is different. I can only tell you what I always preferred. First of all I’ve always respected women more (at least me personally) when they let it known that they liked me compared than the girls who just decided to look pretty and “put themselves out there” just waiting to be approached. However desperation or being too aggressive is a turn off as well.
One thing that I’ve always liked is when a girl would tell a friend she liked me or wanted to get to know me better. In this way it made it easy to talk to that girl and make a date with her. I also always appreciated it when a girl would ask me to dance with her when I would go out to a club, this is a great way to break the ice while not seeming to aggressive. Arranging for set ups through friends or siblings never hurt either if you’re fortunate enough to be that lucky.
One trick you can do is break the ice with a guy in some way just to make small talk. Maybe bring up something you enjoy doing such as a certain ride in a local amusement park, mentioning how you love a certain places food, how you love bowling or something similar in person. If you’re lucky enough to get a positive response from the guy here than you could suggest through calling them (no texting or notes) that you’re going bowling or to that certain place to eat and if they would like to join you. I’ve done this trick myself but I always loved it when girls would do this to me as well.
It should be very obvious to any guy here it is ok for him to make his move then. If the gut doesn’t “get” the hint or decides to play hard to get himself move on! If the guy does respond positively and he decides to take advantage of you or be a little aggressive with you when you’re not ready for it or do not want it don’t feel you’re obligated to go along with everything he does or if he decides to be a jerk to you because you made the first move! End it with him immediately just like you normally would if he would approach you first.
It doesn’t hurt to get some basic info about somebody from other people as well before making a move. It always makes it easier if you’re in a scenerio where you will regularly see a guy such as at work, school, courses, store, etc. Again like I said before, make a small move, back off and then wait. Don’t chase, push him or do anything further. If he is any kind of real gentleman he won’t be a jerk about it or play games with you. I still prefer a phone call over texts/notes and then being allowed the freedom to make a decision myself without being pestered any further. I can’t speak for other guys here but only myself but good luck.