My preaching, my free advice to business owners, my reaching out to people who never consider their carbon footprint–it all happens spontaneously. But it keeps happening, and it feels like the right thing to do. A few months ago, while shopping and talking to the owner of my two favorite women’s clothing boutiques here in Evanston, IL, where I live, I started explaining to Kelly how she could make her businesses greener. I gave her standard advice: install compact fluorescent lights, change to low-flow plumbing, get a more efficient heating and cooling system, recycle more. Even though I have no official training in how to green a business, the ideas popped into my head, and the conversation flowed naturally. As I presented the options to her, she listened.

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Bring it up in conversation. Find opportunities to drop your green success stories. If your friends are complaining about gas prices, tell them how much your hybrid saves you on gas. If they’re complaining about their electric bill, tell them how much you saved by installing new windows, or that Energy Star AC.

Share your simple tips too, such as washing your clothes on cold or how you unplug your cell phone charger. You probably already swap tips on how to do other things around the house, why stop short of green? Or if you’re out and about with your friends, whip out that canvas shopping bag or that coffee mug you take everywhere, and explain why you bring your own (then give them their own to try out.)

Explain the financial savings. If you can, break down the costs to show how much money someone will save, especially if it translates into near-term savings.

Give green gifts. Whatever the occasion, give an eco-friendly gift. Many green products have a story behind them. Share that story when your gift is opened, or explain the benefits of the product.

Start simple. GO’s Shane Jordan wrote about "How To Give Your Parents ‘The Talk’". He suggests starting simple with just one thing, such as recycling, then providing the tools needed to begin making change, such as a recycling bin.

Shane also writes, "Most importantly, don’t be confrontational. Make suggestions, not demands." On the same note, tread lightly on the gloom and doom factor. Taking the approach, "if you don’t do it we’ll all die," isn’t a very effective way of getting people to act. And don’t be pushy or condescending as that is another big turn off.

Celebrate success. If your friends start showing you the CFL’s in their place, congratulate them. Soon they’ll be sharing all their newfound green knowledge with you.

Have you got your family or friends to switch over to some green ways? How’d you do it?

Amy says: Friends of mine had an out of town visitor who was so impressed by their adamant recycling behavior that when they went to visit her, she apologized for not recycling, but said that she had recently ordered a recycling bin.

Grist: How to Talk to a Climate Skeptic

GO: How to Give Your Parents "The Talk"

GO: Let’s Talk About It!: Green Quandaries