This is it for both genders.
Both genders are told "don't scare them off", but assuming you aren't a nutcase or completely tactless, what that statement really means is "you're not their first option". If the guy just wants her to be a convenient booty call, or the girl just wants him to be an orbiter, then you get these situations. People who want each other and don't have a personality disorder don't act that way.
Advice from the old lady:
Always go by what somebody does. Actions tell the story. However there are some caveats early on in dating.
Somebody has to lead the interaction. This is typically the man's role. Expecting the woman to do it is unrealistic in many instances because many women (especially your better ones) are not socially conditioned to approach men. As a man do not be afraid to approach and do not be afraid to initiate contact that starts the dating cascade. Before it ever becomes any sort of relationship somebody has to initiate contact, ask somebody out, and so forth. Obviously the other party has to be receptive, agreeable and responsive.
A woman's role is to respond and encourage upon contact from the man. Women gauge a man's interest level on his action (or not) of approach, contact, asking out, doing as he says he will do, etc. Men need to gauge a woman on her level of responsiveness (is she receptive/encouraging, does she accept his invitation, does she communicate *which at first will be responding to his communication outreach*, etc.) These roles (initiation & response) are complimentary. If as a man you are unwilling to initiate the sequence, don't be disappointed. You didn't act. Meaning you didn't give her anything to respond to.
High IL women will make it easy for you as a man. Low IL women will not make it easy.
There are a million ways to kill interest level. Some you have control over, others you do not. That is why you always look at actions because they always tell the story.
As the dating interaction is progressing the two people have to understand (assuming each is desirable) that they are competing against other options whom they know nothing about. The other options might be better looking, might be funnier, might be more freaky in bed, might be nicer, might be smarter, or then again the other options might not be. There is a reason the interaction started. There was some level of interest. The idea of dating boils down, very simply, to showing the other person you are the best option FOR YOUR PARTNER. If you are still reaching out to the woman...she should expect you as the man remain interested. If she is still responding you should expect she as the woman remains interested. Obviously these things are fluid, especially before any sort of "relationship" is established.
Here is where people screw it up:
Both men and women get up into their own heads and allow their own insecurities and self talk to destroy interest in many cases. They then start reaching out, chasing after the other person, repeatedly texting or calling and so forth. They start to look needy. This is IL destroying behavior. Even if the other person keeps a dating option around under such circumstances (for sex, booty call, convenience or etc)...it is human nature that this dating option loses value. The key is not to allow the scenario to go there.
This is where "frame" and "game" come into play. Part of frame/game early on is patience
as a woman. It is best to be patient and see the observable action of whether or not a man is willing to start the sequence. For a man it is best to start the sequence and then see the observable action of whether or not the woman responds.
See the difference? The roles for men and women are different but complimentary in dating. When you expect men or women to go against the natural order of things you set yourself up for failure. If you think about it further you'll see that this is now many men miss the boat...by failing to initiate the sequence.
If a man does not start the sequence? Then a wise woman takes note of this and understands she is not his top choice and acts accordingly (she moves on).
Only choose from those people who show an interest in you, and do so in the gender appropriate way (men lead; women follow) and you'll greatly reduce your dating headaches. None of us has utterly universal appeal. Pick from the potential partners that are choosing you. Jettison low interest people early after you observe how they act. That saves you time and energy and emotional bandwith.
Women who go chasing after men may in fact catch him...but only until such time as he finds a woman who he has enough interest in to actively pursue. I'm not going to put myself through that and neither will other smart women.