Coming out help

I've told a few close friends now that I'm gay, but can't seem to tell more people, even though I know I want to. The weird part is, I am not ashamed with who I am, but it's still a hard thing to tell people. Any advice? I've been wanting to tell some members of my family, but chicken out whenever the opportunity presents itself. What do you think about telling people over text message? I feel like that would get the hard part out of the way and open up to more communication.