How do you tell a close friend you like her and want to date her?

I think its always hard, but beating around the bush is a waste of time. JUst tell them upfront you like them and want to be more than friends but make sure you emphasis that the other person has a choice, that you don't mind either way even if you do. Its better to be rejected than to lose a friend all together, but if the friend stop talking to you after this, probably not a friend worth having