The Essential Role of Beta Readers: How Find and Work with Beta Readers

One of the most essential tools for any writer is thoughtful and constructive criticism from beta readers they trust. Having a group of beta readers can make all the difference in helping you reach your goals as an author. In this post, we’ll look at the role of a beta reader, as well as ways to find and work with beta readers to make your book the best it can be.

What is a beta reader?

A beta reader is someone who reads your completed manuscript before publication and provides insight and suggestions from the perspective of your novel's target audience. The term comes from software companies that often bring in a small group of users to "beta test" their products before release.  

Beta readers can be fellow authors or industry professionals, but often, they’re just average readers who enjoy your genre. A good beta reader should have an eye for detail, a deep understanding of genre, and a willingness to provide honest criticism. They should be able to offer honest feedback from a reader’s perspective on what's working well in your manuscript and help you identify plot holes, inconsistencies, and other areas for improvement.

What's the difference between a beta reader and a critique partner?

While beta readers give their overall impression of a completed story, critique partners (CPs) usually give more detailed feedback on smaller pieces of a work in progress. CPs usually help the author at various stages of the novel-writing process, acting as a sounding board for everything from the tiny details to the overall story arc. CPs can often get as bogged down in the story details as you do, so bringing on a separate beta reader can give you valuable input from a fresh perspective.

Also, don't expect your beta readers to be a professional editor or proofreader. Their role isn't to point out every typo, or give details on how you can fix story problems. Their main role is to give broad feedback and early reviews so you can confidently move to your next step in the process, whether that's going back for more revisions or moving on to publication.

Do you have to use beta readers?

Whether you have to use beta readers is ultimately up to you. However, it’s highly recommended to use beta readers at some point in your writing process, as they can be an invaluable source of insight. By reading a work in progress, beta readers can help writers refine their writing and ensure it is ready for publication. 

If you plan to self-publish your book, beta reader feedback can be even more critical as it may be the only chance to hear from readers before your book is published and fix any issues that might lead to negative reviews.

Tips for finding beta readers

Personal connections and writer communities

You may already have friends or family willing to read your work and provide feedback. Just be sure to choose friends or family that will be honest with you and provide constructive criticisms, not just praise your work without offering insight into what could be improved. While high praise may be great for encouragement and motivation to keep going, they do little to help you improve your writing craft. Consider family or friends who only give praise as your “go-to cheerleaders” when you’re doubting yourself and needing a boost of encouragement.

You may also want to start with your writing community when looking for beta readers. Whether local or online, there are always people eager to beta read.

Once you've found beta readers, be sure to communicate clearly with them. Be specific about your project's genre and length, as well as the type of feedback you're seeking and any deadlines you may have. This will help you find the right people to provide the feedback you need to perfect your writing.

Social media platforms

Social media platforms are a great way to connect with beta readers and get valuable feedback on your writing. You can post a call for beta readers with some details about your story–genre, length, age category, summary, and/or comps. Using hashtags like #betaread, #manuscriptcritique, or #writingcommunity can uncover many opportunities to connect with beta readers.

There are also many Facebook groups dedicated to helping writers work with beta readers and critique groups. Some groups focus on specific genres, while others are open to all genres. Many of these groups are free to join and offer a variety of resources to help you find the right beta reader or critique group for your work. You can post your work and receive feedback from fellow writers. You can also participate in discussions about different writing topics, share tips and advice, and get feedback from other members of the group. You can also join our Writing Mastery Community if you’re searching for beta readers or a writing group.

Beta reader directories and matching services

There are also a number of directories and matching services online, such as the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) or Critique Match, that can help you find the perfect beta reader for your project. Don’t let the name fool you. The EFA’s directory is not just for editors. You can find other types of freelance services, from beta reading to ghostwriting to transcription work.

These directories and online matching services will match you with potential beta readers based on your criteria. Some directories are for paid service–like the EFA–but there are plenty of free ones as well. Critique Match has the option of finding free beta reading services or using paid ones.

If you're a member of the Writing Mastery Academy Community, you can join our Critique Partner Program. We periodically run match-ups where we help you connect with a great partner for your genre and working style.

What makes a good beta reader?

We've talked about different places where you can find beta readers. Now, let's talk about how to find the right beta readers for your story. There are a few things to consider when looking for a beta reader.

• Does this person read the genre you're writing? You want to find a beta reader who is familiar with your genre and understands the conventions and tropes in your genres. These readers have a deeper understanding and knowledge of readers’ expectations from your genre. They can provide valuable feedback on how well your work fits in with the genre and suggest revisions to make your work more compelling to others.
• Have they beta-read a book before? Those new to beta reading may need more guidance from you on the type of feedback you're looking for than perhaps a more experienced reader. When working with new beta readers, consider offering a list of questions they can answer after they read. These can include questions like: how engaged were they with the story? Were any parts slow or boring? Did they connect with the characters? Were they lost or confused in any parts? These can provide great insight on improving your next draft during revisions.
• Do they have any published book reviews on sites like Amazon or Goodreads? If possible, look at their book reviews on these sites. Do they provide detailed feedback on why they liked the book, character, or storytelling element? Do they try to give both the positives and the negatives, or are they focused solely on the things they don't like? Or the things they do like?
• Are there any popular genre tropes they dislike? In romance novels, enemies-to-lovers or friends-to-lovers are popular tropes for that genre. If your story includes one of those tropes and you have a beta reader who hates those tropes, chances are they're not going to be a good fit for your story, even if they're an avid romance reader.
• Do they have availability? Another vital question to ask potential beta readers is their availability. We are all extremely busy and some people are fast readers, while others may be slower. If you have a deadline and are in a tight crunch for finishing the final draft before publication, then you want to make sure your beta readers can finish your manuscript and provide feedback in a timely manner. Be sure to state the deadline date clearly, so readers know when they should have your manuscript back to you.

You’re ready for beta reader feedback!

Now that you know what a beta reader is, how to find the right ones for your story, and tips for where to find them, you’ll be on your way to crafting a story that truly shines. Want to find a beta reader, critique partner, or writing group? Join our friendly, supportive Writing Mastery Community, a thriving global community of writers who are taking the next step toward achieving their writing goals!