The only advantage that I see from this form of "none-physical" approach is two things:
1) You may be able to write / text things that you don't yet have the confidence to say to someone's face, so it's like practice, or a warm-up
2) Mystery. All she has to judge you on is your words and maybe some pictures. She doesn't know you. You can be anyone. That kind of mystery can excite the right woman.

erm and my reasoning

3)Its ruthlessly efficient-- in a few hours of online/facebook whatever - i can contact more girls than i could chain open in a week of real life sarging -- its a numbers game baby