Nancy Swett worked with a group of business, nonprofit and government representatives called the Downtown Roundtable on efforts to revitalize downtown Riverhead. Hearing about all of the excitement of online social networking and other towns’ success in bringing people downtown using new media, the group was eager to try it. Great Peconic Communications set up and maintained a website for downtown at www.iloveriverhead.com, Facebook and Flickr groups, and an enewsletter. With communications support from a broad-based coalition of town organizations, Great Peconic Communications also set up and administered an online photo contest in the summer of 2009. The photo contest was a tremendous success in attracting positive attention to downtown, foot traffic, and online traffic. It also demonstrated the power of new media.

With the advent of the internet, it’s now possible to create a website that serves a niche or a community. In 2006, Great Peconic Communications acquired NorthForkParents.com and developed it into a comprehensive, informative site for local and visiting parents. Pages, articles, and resources were developed for families with children from birth through high school graduation. The site is supported through advertising, with many local businesses using banner advertising to reach this niche market cost-effectively, including summer camps, preschool programs, educational organizations, entertainment, and more. And they can do well by doing good, helping to support a site that supports families.

Nancy Swett has written freelance news articles and features for regional media, including several articles for the New York Times and more than a year of regular contributions to the East End Independent Newspaper, among others. Knowledge of local issues, trends, people and places helped her be successful as a writer, and the experience helps her understand what editors and reporters are looking for and need. She has also had extensive experience in the blogosphere and on social media networks, with firsthand knowledge of how all media works together today and how things are changing.

“Wealthy Schools Shun Fair-Aid Meet,” Sunday, November 23, 2003

“Greenport Won. So Now What?,” Sunday, January 11, 2004

“Holy Deadlock on the East End,” Sunday, May 2, 2004

“Who Will Pay for Riverhead’s Farmland?,” Sunday, May 16, 2004

“A New Cash Crop Has the North Fork Seeing Lavendar and Green,” August 1, 2004

The owners felt they could increase their occupancy rates and restaurant business, especially during the off-season, if only they had the time. They hired Nancy to develop and execute a complete marketing plan and budget for both of these unique and gorgeous inns. A broad campaign of radio and print advertising, a quarterly print newsletter, and an annual four-color calendar kept the beauty and liveliness of the inns in the minds of new and returning guests year round. The inns were among the first to go online with a website to capture the emerging online market for travel and accommodations, and they sent regular e-newsletters to a list of opt-in subscribers. They always sought new ways of enhancing the experience of guests through concierge, spa, and room services, and Nancy helped them create elegant folders to welcome and inform guests. Through guest surveys, the owners were able to gather information from guests that helped to better market the inns.

When the East End chapter of this federal Small Business Administration organization asked Nancy to work with them on their marketing, the priority was getting the word out that the group’s expertise was available on a pro bono basis to anyone with business questions. She worked with them to design a professional web site and develop and advertise seminars for entrepreneurs and non-profit leaders.

Teri needed a series of marketing materials that would enable her to respond to queries about her high-end interior design work. Nancy wrote and designed an extravagent four-color brochure showcasing Teri’s best projects. Nancy also created a website, stationery, business cards, and advertisements.

This savvy business woman wanted to use a long career as an advisor to women entrepreneurs to launch a new career as an author and speaker. Nancy gave her editorial support as she developed a book proposal, which was ultimately accepted by a publisher, and provided editorial and creative support to Marcia during the process of writing the book. Nancy also helped Marcia develop the materials she needed to get media attention and speaking engagements.

This growing physical therapy practice has the skills and the credentials it needs to stand out, but it needed exposure. People in the community knew these lifelong residents, but few had any idea they were the ones behind North Fork Physical Therapy! Nancy designed a series of ads introducing these therapists to the East End public and positioning them as specialists in the minds of health care consumers.

As editor of special publications in the Public Finance Department of Moody’s Investors Service, Nancy helped analysts write and produce special reports for municipal investors about a broad range of municipal finance issues, including transportation, economic issues, school finance, environmental issues, management, and regional issues, among many others. She also worked closely with an outside design firm to produce compelling and telling design elements throughout.

When Congress ordered New York City to stop dumping sewage sludge in the ocean, the City had to come up with alternatives. Obtaining public support for any solution, however, was crucial. Over more than three years, the city and engineers worked together, informing and involving the public all along, to carve out new solutions. Part of that process was meetings coordination, meeting minutes, newsletters, fact sheets, and mailings. The efforts paid off in public acceptance of final plans.