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I had a good experience with online personals through Spring Street Networks (they affiliate with sites like Salon, the Onion, Nerve, and many others), so I'll run through what worked for me:
First of all, make it personal. I was pretty selective about the girls I would write to. Occasionally, when I hadn't had a date in awhile, I'd start shotgunning, but for the most part I was diligent about targeting my approaches to good matches. As a young hot-headed male I'd start with pictures, but I wouldn't reply to everyone who looked good. I would stick to girls who I had a lot in common with. It's important to hit it off right from the initial email, so pick out some of their interests that you share, and make reference to them. Point her to places in your profile that she'll like. Let her know that when you talk on the phone for the first time, or meet up for the first time, you'll have some immediate connections.
I met four girls in person from internet dating, one of whom became my girlfriend (going on a year and a half). Each of the others I'd be happy to have a friend, because they were cool girls. By the time we met, we knew we had shared interests, and could hold entertaining conversations.
That leads into my final piece of advice, which is to be entertaining. From the first email you send, keep her smiling. Your personality sounds similar to mine, in that you are shy in person, but you're obviously able to compose a good sentence. Use the advantage that you have when you communicate online to write and revise until you come up with an introduction you like. Try to find that delicate point where you are being humorous without being cheesy or fake. If you jump out of the crowd by immediately pointing out that you share a favorite movie, or both love a particular band, or sport, or whatever it is, it will give you an advantage when she's running through her inbox.
Best of luck!
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