Finding reliable beta readers is often a challenging process for new authors, especially if you’re working on a publishing schedule.
Before you publish your book, you need time for editing, proofreading, and feedback. That’s why I created this free Beta Reader Planner Tool to help you organise your readers, estimate feedback timelines, and better manage the beta reading stage.
Working with beta readers and critique partners is one of the most important steps in the publishing process. Their feedback can help you understand how readers react to your story, characters, pacing, and writing style before your book goes on sale.
However, getting useful feedback takes more than simply asking people to read your book. You need a clear plan, realistic time frames, and the right questions to guide your readers.
Set Up Your Beta Reader Project Planner Tool
Use the tool below to plan your beta reader schedule and estimate when you’ll receive feedback.
The best approach is to work with your readers and set realistic time frames based on the time they can invest in your book. That’s why I created this free Beta Reader Project Planner tool.
Beta Reader Project Planner
Estimate turnaround times and reading schedules.
The tool allows you to estimate exactly when a reader will finish your book and provide feedback. Using it is simple:
1. Identify the Reader: Enter a name or ID for your records.
2. Word Count: Input your book’s total word count.
3. Reading Speed & Feedback Level: Adjust these based on the agreed-upon depth of the review (e.g., a simple read-through vs. detailed chapter notes).
4. Availability: Set the number of hours per day and days per week the reader can commit to.
The tool will then provide an estimated completion time in weeks and days.
One final step is important. You can save the tool’s information as a PDF or print it so you have a record of your reader’s commitments. You will see the printed date in the top left corner of the PDF report.
It’s also a good idea to send a PDF copy to your reader so they appreciate their commitment. Bookmark this page so you can quickly add a new beta reader at any time.
Your Beta Readers Are Not Editors
Finding and working with beta readers is one of the most important steps in the publishing process.
You should aim to find at least three, but the more, the better.
Beta readers are not alpha readers or editors, so don’t expect or rely on them to correct grammar or spelling mistakes.
What they will read is a polished version of your manuscript, and you want to know how they react to your book.
The focus needs to be on how the story develops and how engaging it is.
Different readers will notice different strengths and weaknesses in your manuscript.
Even a small group can give you a range of perspectives rather than a single opinion.
It’s always better to set clear expectations and a schedule before you give a copy to a beta reader.
Let them know what kind of feedback you are looking for and when you need it.
Some authors are happy with general impressions, while others want more detailed chapter notes.
If you plan this in advance, it helps avoid delays and keeps your publishing timeline on track.
You need to allow enough time for your beta reading stage, because simply guessing or hoping can easily lead to delays.
A useful tip is to always factor in a “fail rate” of about 20% of beta readers who may not deliver their feedback on time.
By giving readers a clear, agreed-upon schedule, you significantly increase your chances of getting the feedback you need when you need it.
Set Questions For Your Readers
If you only ask a reader what do you think, you are unlikely to get much helpful information.
Most people are polite, so if you ask, did you like the book, they will usually say yes.
To get more helpful feedback, you need to be more specific.
The best way to improve the quality of feedback is to ask specific questions.
Did you get into the story from page one?
Was there any part of the book that bored you?
Did you find the characters realistic?
Was there enough character development for you?
Who was your favorite character, and why?
Did you want more or less detail?
Was the ending a surprise, or did you see it coming?
You should give a reader three or four questions at most.
They should give you honest feedback that you can then decide to act upon or not.
If you can get a range of views from the people who read your manuscript, you can decide if you need to make any changes.
Why Do You Need Beta Readers?
You might get some negative reviews if you rush into publishing your book without any external review.
It is normal to expect a few poor book reviews, especially on Amazon.
But if you can get honest feedback before you publish, you will significantly reduce this possibility.
You can react to negative viewpoints and correct the problems in your manuscript before your book goes on sale.
After your book is available, book buyers will be bluntly honest if or when they post a review.
It’s much better to get this honest feedback well before you publish your book.
How To Find People To Read Your Book
If you are self-publishing your book, it’s unlikely that you can afford to pay for readers.
You can find paid readers, but the cost is generally too much to pay if you want a handful of readers.
So you will have to find ways to get people to read your book for free. However, that doesn’t mean you want substandard feedback.
Here are some ideas to help you.
1. Family And Friends
You can always start with your friends and family. At least face-to-face, you can plead, beg, and smile when you ask.
Another option is to ask your colleagues at work.
You will probably find that unless one or two family members or friends have a mean streak, they might be reticent to give you brutally honest feedback.
There is also the problem that they might not read your manuscript, but will still tell you that it was a lovely story.
However, the feedback you get can still be valid and a useful point of view.
2. Writing Groups
You can look online and in your community for a writer’s group.
It can work well if you have been a member for a while.
But don’t think of joining a group and immediately asking people to please beta-read my work.
If you’re starting to write a book, now is the time to find a group to join that will be of help to you when you finish writing.
3. Facebook Groups
You can find a lot of writing and author-related writing groups on Facebook.
Look for groups related to writing, books, or critique groups.
You might be able to join some groups immediately, or you may have to ask for an invitation to join.
You could try the Beta readers and critique partners Facebook group as a good starting point.
4. Other Forums
Many forums connect authors with readers.
While I’m not a fan, you can try the Goodreads beta readers group.
Nathan Bransford hosts a range of writer forums that are worth a look.
There are many writing communities on the Internet now, so you have plenty of choices.
5. Social Media
Another avenue you can use is your list of contacts on social media.
Perhaps you have a good online relationship with a few people on X (Twitter), Facebook, or Instagram who might like to help you.
It never hurts to ask.
You should also use writing-related hashtags such as #amwriting, #writerslife, #writingcommunity, or #indieauthor on your posts.
These can help attract more attention to your posts from people with an interest in writing and books.
6. The Barter System
Without a doubt, this is the most popular way for self-publishing authors to find willing readers.
It’s so simple. I’ll read your book if you read mine.
When you think about it, once you’ve written your book, you’ll have plenty of time while you wait for your readers to get back to you.
So why not use the time to read for other authors?
Another advantage is that you get to see the quality of writing from other authors who are also about to publish.
If you can, try to find authors writing in a similar genre. They are more likely to understand what your target audience or readers want in a story.
Remember to agree on what you are both looking for when you read and establish the questions you would like answered.
Good feedback should offer opinions, not solutions.
If you are lucky enough to get a great reader, they will explain why they liked or disliked certain aspects of your book, and you should do the same.
Lastly, make sure that you commit to and act on strict deadlines. Both you and the other author want to move forward with publishing your books.
Give Your Readers A Real Book
Don’t fall for the trap of sending your readers a draft of your manuscript in a Word file.
You need to give your readers a proof copy of your paperback or, more commonly, a perfectly formatted ebook.
You can use Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Blurb, or Lulu to produce print-on-demand proof copies if you want to offer hard copies of your book.
For an ebook, the easiest way is to use Calibre.
It is an ebook creation and editing program that you can use to convert your Word document to either .mobi or .epub for reading devices. You can also add your ebook cover.
If you are unfamiliar with converting ebook files, you can read our article on converting Word to .mobi and .epub.
If a reader prefers, you can also use Calibre to create a .pdf version of your book.
Summary
Finding suitable readers for your new book is not an easy task, and it can also be time-consuming.
But it is a vital element that can help you publish a better book that will connect with readers.
Sure, use your friends and family first if you can. But you might struggle to get much more than, oh, it was a lovely book, dear.
Try to go further and find fresh eyes to give you much more honest and in-depth feedback about your book.
Use the beta reader schedule planner above to help you manage and keep track of your beta readers.
In a way, a beta read is a bit like a book review, but your readers aren’t going to be hitting one or five stars and posting their reviews online for the world to see.
When your book is published, you want to avoid receiving poor reviews from readers.
The best way to do this is to test the water first.
If you get a lot of negative comments, it’s much better to receive them before you publish and not after. You can address the issues with a rewrite before you publish your book.
But if the feedback is generally positive, you can be relatively sure that readers who buy your book will make a similar judgment.
Take the time and make an effort to find as many readers as you can before you publish your new book.
It can make all the difference in how many books you sell.
Related reading: Do You Need An ISBN If You Are Self-Publishing A New Book?
Interesting that you consider beta reading such a late stage thing to do, I know I personally used beta readers from my first draft, at the point it was just a messy .docx definitely not anything resembling a book. They helped guide me on my narrative development and areas that needed more attention. I hate the thought of authors trapping themselves in a little bubble until they think they’re finished then having to do drastic changes when they get their first piece of feedback.
I used free betas at the beginning and then worked up to paid ones and then on to copyeditors etc, worked well for me – I’m in talks to move from my self published book to trad publishing.