Recruiters & Online applications

Two quick but related questions:

1. If you want to speak to a recruiter and submit your resume to him/her, should your introductory email be "Hi, my name is XXX and I want to apply. heres my resume." or should it be more subtle and you send it once you have a relationship?

2. I know everyone says online apps are useless. Do people who apply online get their applications read and does everyone get an interview or reject email or do many people who apply never hear back (For BBs not boutiques)?

Thanks!