1.What motivated you to establish a web presence? More and more of our clients were starting to execute their promotions online. Furthermore, it was evident the internet was about to explode with growth. We saw the web as a low cost way to attract new clients, not to mention a means of establishing our credentials in this new arena.

2. What is the overall goal or mission of your website? The overall goal of our website is to attract new clients by providing concise information on our promotion administration services and expertise. What's more, the website can be accessed 24/7, thereby acting as a sales tool even when we are not physically present in the office.

3. What was your first year like? Our first year showed initial promise and foreshadowed the opportunities for growth ahead.

4. What is the most unique aspect of your business? We provide turnkey solutions for clients wanting to execute sweepstakes, contests and other prize promotions both online and off.

5. From where do you draw inspiration? I draw my professional inspiration from my colleagues and by observing the world around me, paying particular attention to the various promotions I see in the marketplace, whether in the retail environment, online, in the mail or in traditional advertising media. I draw my personal inspiration from my family, in particular my husband, sister and father, all of whom are incredibly giving and supportive.

6. How do you market your site(s)? We market our site through Search Engine Marketing, such as through Google and Overture. Furthermore, many of the industry publications in which we advertised provide online listings and links to our site. In addition, we include our URL in all our correspondence, print advertising, professional association listings and PR opportunities.

7. What’s the best advice you have ever received about website development? Interactivity and instant gratification are the buzz words to remember.

8. What are some of the trends you are noticing in your industry? Clients are spending the time to craft much more targeted promotions that appeal to their audience demographics and psychographics while reinforcing their product benefits at the same time. In addition, they continue to look for the most engaging involvement devices to maximize consumer response and make the consumer's experience as enjoyable as possible.

9. What is the one thing you would like readers to know about you? About your company? Ventura Associates is an award winning marketing and sales promotion agency specializing in the design and execution of online and offline games, contests and sweepstakes, in addition to possessing solid credentials in the areas of premiums, rebates, sales incentives, loyalty programs and promotional consulting. Our clients include Fortune 500 marketers, both here and abroad, in the packaged goods, publishing, direct mail, travel, retail and financial arenas, as well as advertising and promotion agencies.

(For more information on Ventura's custom promotions, as well as cooperatively presented turnkey sweepstakes solutions, call President Marla Altberg at (212) 302-8277, extension 3003 or send an email to maltberg@sweepspros.com).

© 2006 - Heidi Richards is the author of The PMS Principles, Powerful Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Business and 8 other books. She is also the Founder & CEO of the Women’s ECommerce Association, International www.WECAI.org (pronounced wee-kī) – an Internet organization that “Helps Women Do Business on the WEB.” She can be reached at www.HeidiRichards.com.