I was wondering what the preferred method of initial contact is and what information is essential in the first contact?

It's a good place to start. If a lady has a web site, she will usually have a contact form. Fill it out. Or in an email answer all her questions from the contact form, don't be a tire kicker.
Ladies get inundated with email. They can usually tell a serious inquiry (when one requests a specific date and time to meet)
from a jerk. Make sure she is TER reviewed,she will want references, so you might want to join dating referral service. Do a search on this.
Good luck

and if so, either follow the directions she will provide (ie a list of info she needs) or use ther contact form on her website usually under a tab called "contact" or something similar.

I strongly recommend email for first contact

I avoid providers who may only be contacted by phone.

Also consider joining one of the verification agencies (preferred411, date-check, or RoomService2000) so that you may be pre-verified. You may contact member providers through these services. And see listings of member providers in your area.

I will introduce myself, and let the lady know when I would like to see her, and for how long. I will also tell her what sites I am a member of, and that I will gladly provide all the necessary information for her to screen me. Too much information in the initial email is not a good thing.

I've had very good luck doing things this way.

Thank you for your responses.