Calgary, AB -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/07/2009 -- Self-published authors who pour their hearts and wallets into publishing their books frequently turn to the internet and its promise of prosperity for marketing help. Some of these authors waste thousands of dollars and hours on internet marketing programs with no results, while others experience wild success. Article marketing expert Denise Willms of Cassidar Ink, a Virtual Assistant business that specializes in writing and publicity services, recently launched an author marketing survey to determine which types of free internet marketing authors are using, what their results have been, and where their strategies could be falling short.

"Many new self-published authors believe selling their books on the internet is an easy path to riches but they struggle to sell even a few copies online," says Willms, "This survey was created to find out which internet marketing strategies are being used by self-published authors and what unique challenges authors encounter when they promote their books on the internet. By collecting this information, I'm hoping to educate self-published book authors on how to better utilize the internet to sell more of their books."

The survey focuses specifically on free internet marketing techniques such as writing and distributing articles and press releases, which are popular with self-published authors because they're easily accessible. It will also reveal what results authors typically gain from their internet marketing endeavors and common challenges faced by authors who market their books on the internet.

Authors who participate in the survey are eligible to win an author marketing package from Cassidar Ink worth nearly $600.

Denise Willms is a Virtual Assistant and article marketing expert who for the past five years has helped business owners and self-published authors gain publicity and build a following for their books and services by utilizing a combination of traditional media and internet marketing.

Self-published authors are invited to take the author marketing survey at http://CassidarInk.com before July 15, 2009 to be eligible to for the draw for the author marketing package. Visit http://CassidarInk.com for a free step-by-step guide to writing and distributing articles that sell products and services.