"I also talk about the Fediverse to my friends and coworkers in person when the topic of social media comes up,"
This is so important to do! 👍
Even if someone isn't convinced, it puts alternatives on their radar, and the more people that mention it to them the more likely they are to try it out.
Sooner or later someone else may mention it as well, and and perhaps a third too. At that point, most people would be curious to at least find out more.