Beta readers are an excellent resource for writers in all genres, but unless you’re using beta readers effectively, you’ll be missing out on capitalizing on everything they offer!
As an author, obtaining unbiased feedback can be challenging. Friends and family, despite meaning well, are often, unfortunately, a little biased, but that’s where using beta readers comes in. By using beta readers effectively to provide you with an unbiased reader’s perspective of your story or manuscript, you’ll have some actionable feedback to consider as you navigate the self-editing stage before looking into professional editing services.
But what’s the best way to take the advice and feedback a beta reader or readers provide, and implement that into your story? In the following article, we’ll look at how authors are using beta readers to craft and tell better stories.
If you’re currently considering self-publishing, and you’re not sure which is the best self-publishing platform for you, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), IngramSpark Publishing, or others, check out The Best Self-Publishing Platforms to Publish Your Book! We cover the pros and cons of Australia’s most popular self-publishing platforms.
At Author Services Australia, we offer a variety of self-publishing services, including beta reading services for Australian and New Zealand authors. Whether you want one beta reader or multiple beta readers for a broader perspective, we can make it happen. Contact us today to learn more about our affordable, competitive beta reading services.
Who’s the First Person to Read Your Story?
Typically, the first people you allow to read your story are loved ones, friends, and family. These people, often including readers you’ve built a working relationship with, are referred to as alpha readers, but what’s the difference?
Essentially, an alpha reader is someone with whom you already have a close relationship, such as a spouse, partner, or close friend. They are always quick to respond and can usually be relied on to provide you with feedback, but how valuable is that feedback?
Unfortunately, unless your friends are monsters, even negative feedback will be somewhat toned down to avoid hurt feelings or damaged relationships.
We covered the difference between alpha and beta readers in What Are Beta Readers? The Complete Guide to Alpha and Beta Readers for Authors! In more detail, if you would like to learn more about alpha and beta readers.
So, the preferred method most writers use is beta readers. Paid professionals who will read your manuscript and give you an unbiased reader’s perspective on your book. Beta readers can also be voluntary if you take the time to build your own beta reading team.
Let’s assume you have some beta readers ready. What’s next? Do you give them the book, let them go to town, and wait for the feedback to come rolling in? Not quite. Let’s look at what beta readers are and how authors are effectively using beta readers to tell better stories.
What Is A Beta Reader?
A beta reader will read your manuscript before you publish. Often, before your manuscript goes to a professional editor. Usually, an author will conduct one or two rounds of self-editing, and once they’re satisfied, send the manuscript to beta readers before submitting it to their editor for feedback.
Beta reader feedback is usually centered around character development and arc, story, pace, plot, and settings. Sometimes they provide grammar and spelling feedback, especially if they notice the same issue being repeated throughout the book. Still, it’s not included as part of standard beta reading.
A great beta reader will provide you with honest feedback, good or bad, that’s constructive and allows you to improve your story. While getting feedback like “great story, loved it!” is nice and makes you feel good about your writing, it doesn’t help you write a better story.
If you’re at the self-editing stage, be sure to check out “Three Tips for Self-Editing Your Book,” where we cover tips for authors that are just embarking on the self-editing process.
Using Beta Readers Effectively | Tips for Getting Actionable and Useful Feedback from your Beta Readers
As we mentioned above, alpha readers are great, but getting them to provide the kind of constructive feedback you need can be difficult at times. It’s better to keep your author life and your social and personal lives separate, unless you want to risk potentially burning friendships.
To make it easier on your beta readers, give them a list of specific questions you’d like answered. Some examples of questions include:
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- Were there any parts of the story that you skimmed?
- Were you ever confused about who a character was supposed to be?
- Did you ever lose track of which character was speaking?
- Please note at which point you thought you established who the villain/hero/ending was.
- Did you notice any inconsistencies?
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Now, this part is vital. Give all your beta readers the same questions. Don’t split questions across different beta readers. If there is an issue, it will become more apparent when the same people repeatedly point it out and provide feedback. If multiple beta readers skimmed the same part of the story or picked out the plot at a certain point, then it could be worth a closer look.
Treating Beta Readers Right
Finding and using beta readers is one thing, but keeping them, especially if they’re free, is a lot harder. If you want to continue working with the same beta readers, you’ll need to treat them right.
Receive bad feedback from a beta reader? Embrace it. Thank them, and then examine what you can change. However, and this is crucial, remember it’s your story. Be open to feedback and appreciate the time they took to provide it, but don’t feel obligated to make any changes.
If you really want to thank a beta reader, consider adding them to the acknowledgements page of your book once you publish. It’s a small gesture that often goes a long way to creating goodwill.
Beta Reader FAQs
What Is A Beta Reader?
A beta reader is either a volunteer or a paid professional who reads an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of an author’s manuscript before they publish it to provide them with feedback and typically answer questions provided by the author. Using beta readers effectively is a proven strategy to improve your book.
Why Do Authors Use Beta Readers?
After spending months, sometimes years, writing a book, it’s easy for an author to suffer from writer’s fatigue. This makes it extremely difficult to spot issues in the book. However, a beta reader can provide an author with a fresh perspective, identifying potential problems that may need correction.
How Many Beta Readers Should I Use?
This is up to the author. Some authors prefer to use multiple beta readers, while others choose to work with just one. However, if you decide to hire numerous beta readers, ensure you provide them with the same questions to compare different perspectives.
Where Can I Find Beta Readers?
Building relationships with your readers is one way to create a list of beta readers. However, there are pros and cons to this. They’ll already be familiar with your work, which means you might not get a 100% unique perspective, but you know they’re fans of the genre. Another option is professional beta readers. You can source professional beta readers from self-publishing service providers such as Author Services Australia.
When Should I Start Beta Reading Rounds?
You have two options about when to start beta reading:
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- After you have self-edited and revised your manuscript, but before submitting it to a professional editor.
- After you have self-edited and revised your manuscript.
- After your editor has edited your manuscript.
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Using Beta Readers Effectively To Tell A Better Story | Conclusion
Using beta readers effectively to tell a better story or take your story to the next level is an essential part of the self-editing process. It’s one step that any author, especially a new author, can afford to skip. If you’ve been struggling to find professional beta readers, don’t worry! At Author Services Australia, we have a team of beta readers standing by to assist you.
If you have any questions about the self-publishing process, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
At Author Services Australia, we support Australian and New Zealand self-published authors and writers with a full range of affordable self-publishing services, including ghostwriting, copyediting, developmental editing, proofreading, ebook and paperback formatting, book cover design, children’s book illustrations, graphic design services, Amazon KDP Keyword and Category Research, animated book cover reveal videos, beta reading, and social media and marketing.
Do you have any tips for using beta readers and beta reader feedback to improve your storytelling? Drop a comment below. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback, and we’re sure new authors and writers will appreciate them.
