What is a Beta Reader? Should you use them? And if so, how do you find them?
A Beta Reader is a none professional who reads your work before you release it. They are a test round of your future readers before you go through the expense of publishing.
A Beta should tell you what in the story does or does not work for them. If there are any major plot holes. Anything which disrupts their reading flow. You want Betas to give their personal opinions on your work from a readers perspective as if they had picked your book off the shelf and chosen to read it.
You want to employ Beta Readers before the professional edit but after you, yourself, have edited your work multiple times, with as fine a toothpick as possible to search out any grammatical or spelling errors which can and will disrupt a readers flow. If you use beta readers after the edit, and your Betas unanimously agree that a chapter doesn't work for them so you should rewrite or lose it, then you've just wasted at least 1000 words worth of pennies, and your editors time as they combed through that chapter.
We know what they do and when to use a Beta, but where do you find them?
The answer: Everywhere. A Beta reader can be anyone who likes to read. You can find these people in your friend or family group, on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Put a plea out for readers and you'll be surprised who will offer to read your work. Failing this there are websites dedicated for writers to find Beta readers on. Not to mention thousands of book clubs who might be willing to give your work a try. As a writer, you want to be a little specific about who you choose to read your work. You are looking for someone who enjoys reading your genre and is in the age group you are writing for. For example, giving an elderly individual a teenage drama may give you unuseful feedback, and likewise, a literary masterpiece given to a ten-year-old... It isn't going to go down well in most cases.
What's the deal? Why would these people read your work and give you feedback? Ultimately, a Beta reader is a nice person who loves to read and wants to read something new and offer their opinion. You do not pay Betas. You give them a free PDF or Drive version of your work and ask them to fill in a questionnaire after each chapter or to have a call with you and let you know what they think. As this is the case, as a writer, you need to be appreciative. This means, taking the feedback well, smile, and move on. Do not argue, or abuse your Betas. Do not give them too much to read. They are helping you for free and they will have their own lives. The usual amount is a chapter a week.
You need to be nice but also professional. Inform Betas at the beginning of the process what you expect from them and how often you will be sending them chapters and the time frame you want the feedback. If a Beta is taking to long, politely inquire if everything is okay. If a Beta wants to leave the process, let them, but get their feedback as to why that is as it could be they do not like your book and you need to know why if that is the case. If a Beta is taking too long repeatedly, maybe remove them from your process as you cannot wait for extended periods of time to edit.
As to how many Betas you should use, as many as possible. Generally, you want to work in groups of ten readers at a time, as more could become overwhelming. And aim to do at least five rounds if you can!
Now for the ultimate question. Should you use Beta Readers?
Absolutely. Beta Readers are one hundred percent necessary. Do not skip this stage in your editing. It can be varied how many Betas you as an individual can find, but find as many as you can and get their opinions. It could be the difference between your work flopping or flying.
I hope you found this useful in your quest for Betas and good luck in your editing process!
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