Experienced clients should be able to close the deal in 4-6 concise texts. And all should have either Google Voice Whatsapp or some chat platform IMHO. I prefer NOT to communicate details in RM since SESTA/FOSTA.
Newbies and inexperienced guys could probably drive you crazy and waste all your time; including "chicken out" before the appt. Add the jerkoffs (guys who are looking at your ad, jerking off and getting off on interacting with you).
Checking references I think is a non-starter and could take a lot of time. Seeing if a client has written reviews probably a good idea. I for one would not be open to phonecalls or skype sessions, and I don't ask providers for them.
Most important I think is to develop "radar" based on how the interaction is going. If someone is being confident and respectful and asking the right questions, it's probably legit. If someone is overly nervous, sporadic, creepy, or txting a lot about stuff not related to knowing if you are a match and scheduling the appt....warning.
Welcome JC