Now that you’ve accepted that business social media marketing should become a big part of your overall marketing campaign, it’s time to make use of that list of email contacts you’ve worked so diligently to procure. So how do you do that without coming off pushy, or sounding like you’re beating someone over the head with a virtual frying pan? Here are a couple of ideas to toss around to get your social media strategy off the ground.

• Don’t be obvious about it. You’re not trying to slip any subliminal messages into your e-newsletters. Your job should be to carry on as you always have, while throwing a healthy dose of social media strategy into the mix like a good chef would. Add a bit of pizzazz to your marketing emails by inserting a Facebook button that links to your profile, or a Twitter button that does the same.

• Throw in a call to action in your email messages. It won’t be considered heavy handed if all you say is “Follow us on Facebook!” but it is possible to go over the line by going into depth about your Facebook plans. Leave them the option, and let them take it or leave it. Don’t force feed anyone, or you’ll get bitten.

• Give some incentive for your customers to get involved with your social media presence. Offer discounts to customers who “Like” your Facebook page and make that a regular part of your social media strategy. Trust us, it works.