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Your Beta Reader Checklist: 10 Things to Consider
There’s a lot to consider before sending your manuscript to beta readers. And there’s even more to consider once you’ve received their feedback. To make the most of your time and, possibly, your money, it’s wise to have a beta reader checklist ready beforehand. This post highlights some of the most important things to consider once your manuscript is at the beta reading stage.
Beta reader checklist
You might find it helpful to create a document for your checklist. This will help you keep track of your beta readers and organize their feedback. It’s a good idea to jot down a few notes about each one, too. For example, do they regularly read your genre? Did you swap manuscripts with them? Do live in the country of your primary market? (We’ll dive into this more throughout the article.)
Have you chosen the best beta readers?
The best beta readers are people who are members of your target audience. Here are some things to think about when considering your potential betas:
- Do they live in a country where you plan to make a significant percentage of your book sales?
- Do they regularly read your genre for enjoyment? (If they don’t enjoy the genre, they might not enjoy your book, even if it’s brilliant.)
- Do they regularly purchase books of your genre? (For example, children don’t typically purchase their own books, so parents, teachers, grandparents, etc. would be the best beta readers for children’s books.)
- Does your book contain trigger warnings that would be a problem for the reader? (It’s always best to disclose trigger warnings before asking beta readers to read your book.)
Choosing a beta reader who is part of your target audience typically results in better feedback. People who don’t read your genre likely won’t buy your books or leave reviews. That’s why Beta Reader Bookings LLC matches every manuscript with a beta reader who regularly reads the genre.
How many beta readers should you have?
When it comes to beta readers, quality is more important than quantity. That said, feedback from one beta reader probably isn’t enough. If you look at reviews for the bestselling books, you’ll notice there are some one stars, some five stars, and several in between. Having multiple quality beta readers allows you to compare the feedback you receive:
- Did more beta readers like it than not?
- Did the majority of beta readers agree on certain aspects?
- Did one beta reader have an issue with something that all the others did not?
Questions for beta readers
Don’t forget to include your beta reader questions when delivering your manuscript to readers. Having questions ready allows you to ask for feedback that beta readers might not provide if not prompted. For example, are you worried you’re giving something away too soon? If, in fact, you haven’t given it away, your readers might not mention it. Take some time to brainstorm questions beforehand. You’ll be glad you did.
What to expect from a beta reader
There are some misconceptions about what beta readers do. While some readers will point out typos, misplaced commas, and incorrectly punctuated dialogue, as a general rule, that’s not the type of feedback you should expect. That’s because most beta readers aren’t editors, and they more concerned with the actual story.
Understanding what a beta reader does
If you want your beta readers to point out mechanical errors, you should ask beforehand. However, there are no guarantees beta readers will agree, and it might not be the best idea if they do. After all, what if the error isn’t an error at all? Or worse, what if they make a suggestion that would create a new error. Editing is best left to editors.
When to expect feedback
It’s wise to come to an agreement for when to expect feedback from your beta reader. Do you expect feedback in a week? One month? Three months? When every party knows the expectations, the beta reading process is much smoother. It can get awkward when a month goes by and you reach out to your beta reader, only to learn they haven’t had time to read your book.
What type of feedback to expect
Beta reader feedback might include answers to the questions you’ve asked and a feedback letter (sometimes referred to as a feedback report). Some beta readers provide more in-depth feedback than others. Again, communicating expectations with potential beta readers beforehand (or at least asking them about their feedback) could save you from disappointment later.
Will your beta reader use AI?
It’s unfortunate that it happens, but some readers might run manuscripts through an AI tool and deliver AI-generated feedback. This isn’t always easy to spot if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
- AI-generated feedback often sounds more technical than personal
- Sometimes, these scammers will produce 20+ pages of feedback (This doesn’t always indicate a scam, especially if your manuscript is exceptionally long.)
- Reviews don’t always tell the full story (Because AI-generated feedback isn’t always easy to spot, authors might leave great reviews.)
We only use real readers at Beta Reader Bookings LLC. Real people read the manuscripts, and those same people provide the feedback. Whether or not authors use AI outside of our services is entirely up to them.
Should beta readers sign an NDA?
Authors often ask if they should have beta readers sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Some beta readers are happy to do so, and some aren’t. While it’s unlikely that beta reader will steal your work, you might want some reassurance that they won’t share any portion of your manuscript (for example, discussing your work with other writers or potential clients). Whether or not you use an NDA, it’s a good idea to tell your beta reader the work can’t be shared with others without your consent.
How to use beta reader feedback
If you’ve chosen reliable beta readers, you’ll receive feedback by the agreed upon date. That is the goal. However, if your beta readers are honest, the feedback isn’t always pleasant to read. It helps to think of negative feedback as an opportunity to make improvements, not as a personal attack on your writing. Whether positive, negative, or a combination of both, using beta reader feedback to make changes isn’t always simple.
Beta reader checklist: Organize feedback
You might not utilize all the feedback you receive. Organizing each comment can help you determine what feedback to take seriously and what to shrug off. Try combining like feedback in one section of your document. For example, you could use tally marks to show how many readers found a particular passage confusing.
Consider the type of reader
Considering which readers delivered which feedback can help prevent you from using feedback you shouldn’t. For example, imagine you had five beta readers for a fantasy novel. Two are members of your natural target audience. The other three are authors you swapped manuscripts with, but those authors generally write and read a different genre. The readers provided the following feedback:
- The authors found your worldbuilding too complex
- The readers who regularly read fantasy novels said they loved how in-depth your worldbuilding was
Even though three people disliked your worldbuilding, and only two enjoyed it, the ones who loved it are the people who understand and enjoy the genre. So, you might decide to weigh feedback from the groups differently.
What to do if beta readers don’t respond
Never hearing back from beta readers is one of the most common issues authors encounter. Rather than jump to the conclusion they hated your book, remember that there are several reasons beta readers don’t answer your emails.
- They might not have had time to read your book and don’t want to tell you
- Something might have come up in their personal life
- Beta readers might unintentionally commit to more than they can realistically do
- Beta readers might not finish the book
Rather than face the awkward conversation with an author, a reader might choose to stay quiet. It’s impossible to know why beta readers don’t respond unless they tell you. So, it’s best not to dwell on the “why.”
Free vs. paid beta readers
While free beta readers can change their minds, a paid beta reader should deliver your feedback by the agreed upon date. If they don’t, follow up. If necessary, request a refund. You are entitled to receive the service that you’ve paid for.
Critique swaps
You might consider swapping your manuscript with other authors. This is one of the quickest ways to find new free beta readers. Just remember that it’s best to find authors who write and read the same genre as your manuscript. And, while swaps don’t involve a monetary exchange, consider treating them like a paid service. Both parties must come through to make a critique swap a fair exchange.
Find new beta readers
If your previous beta readers didn’t work out (or if you don’t trust their feedback), you’ll probably want to find some new ones. Every beta reader who contracts for Beta Reader Bookings LLC has passed an assessment, ensuring you receive honest feedback in a timely manner.
When you order a beta reading service through us, you will receive a thorough feedback letter. Authors may also ask up to five specific questions for readers to answer. We even have expedited feedback delivery options, which could come in handy if you’ve wasted time on unreliable or dishonest readers.
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