Dating Advice

There is a guy I like that I work with and I have been trying to talk to him for weeks, but we are both kind of awkward and quiet, so everytime I go up to talk, I just can't seem to get the words out. He has social media and I have thought maybe it may be easier to just talk to him over instant messaging, but I also feel like that may be kind of strange. Does anyone have any advice on what to do and how to go about talking to him? Should I just try messaging him to break the ice?