How to be more social?

I know this maybe kind of off topic but i want to know if there is a way i can learn to be more social with people - i am kind of reserved by nature and whenever i am in a group i am usually left out and tend to be alone by myself - even if i try to make a conversation with someone they just walk away from me :-(

is there a book or some tutorial somewhere that can help me overcome my shyness?

drinking..and lots of it..you'll loosen up and have fun doing it ^_^

yeah drinking loosens u up

Social efficiency and its relationship to dating is not off topic. One important point: I doubt people ignore you or walk away from you. Most likely, this is a cognitive distortion in your brain. Plus, if you are thinking this way, you are probably sending signals that you aren't an approachable person.

To become more social, I have done some of the following things:

1) Ask waitresses, store clerks, etc how their days have been so far
2) start calling friends more often, just to talk
3) try to nurture acquaintances in to friendships; invite people out, especially those you'd like to know better
4) Public speaking: it will make you better in performance situations, although anxiety may still be present in interpersonal situations

Eventually asking women for a date will be more easy.

i used to be same way but then i sarted getting out for ex: i like street racing, so went out for a few weekends then ppl would ask me like wats up or whats in ur car or some lil stuff and i started talking to ppl that have some intrests as me and i talked to them every weekend then they were asking me to hang out with them and their friends, so i did and as time went on i met more and more ppl and now im a really outgoing person and im out every night going to diff meets around town hanging out with friends and meeting new ppl
but i still can talk to a girl tho :'( it just dont work out 4 me

hopefully that helps