Why You Need A Beta Reader.

 Who is a beta reader?

 A beta reader is a person who reads and provides critical feedback on your manuscript before publishing.

What Does he or she do?

 

The beta reader criticizes your work from a normal reader's point of view. You cannot read your book objectively, neither criticize your own book. A beta reader will nor tear apart your "perfect manuscript" but shed a new light in it , and help you make it even more perfect. 

Is One Beta Reader Enough?

No! You can have four beta readers up till 12 or more. The reason is because you need a variety of opinions about your manuscript and how it appeals to a wide range of people. 

Also not all your beta readers would finish the manuscript or give honest opinions about it. It is also advised to have an odd number of beta readers to avoid a tie. For example if you have 12 beta readers, six mat give a positive feedback and the other six a negative feedback. This situation will complicate things and your decision making process. 

How To work with Beta readers.

 After writing your first draft and second draft(revising the manuscript). The next thing you might typically do will be , self-editing. After that you will share your manuscript with your beta readers, then make adjustments according to suggestions that you agree with. Remember the key thing is , trusting in yourself and your guts! Afterwards you may now submit your manuscript to a professional editor , then your revised manuscript for a comprehensive edit. Up next , self-publish or secure an agent for traditional publishing. Also while writing your first draft , you can send your chapters bits by bits to your beta readers or while writing your second draft. Beta readers do not read to spot grammatical errors, spelling errors ,they read to give you feedback about your plot and storyline. Also beta readers are not always needed, especially when you are writing a SciFi about complicated subjects or nonfiction or religious or spiritual books. 

Who can be my beta reader?

Friends and family is a no-no!

But there can be exceptions if he /she promises to be blunt, and you can't find any other person. 

1. You can find beta readers in your writing community online or on social media. 

2. You can invite your readers on your blog to be beta readers or followers on social media 

3. You can ask acquaintances that you aren't too tight with.

Criterias you should use to choose 

One.

1.  Your beta reader should be honest, blunt and supportive at the same time.

2. Your beta reader should enjoy reading. Don't give your manuscripts to people who do not enjoy reading.

3. Give someone you can trust , to avoid stealing of ideas and the likes. 

4. If he or she enjoys reading, they should also enjoy reading the genre of your manuscript. You can't give someone who loves reading romance, a thriller or law- fiction.

5. Give someone who has knowledge about what you are writing about. If you are writing about HIV, that person should know about HIV. If you are writing fantasy, that person must have read a lot of fantasy.

Are Beta readers paid?

Mostly, beta readers are not paid. But you can show appreciation, by mentioning their name in the acknowledgment section of your finished book. Or. Send your book freely to them afterwards. Or. Help promote their books or help beta read for them too if they write.

What to Note.

1. You should develop a positive mind and be strong. When your beta readers critique your work objectively, you should take it with a good heart. 

2. Don't be afraid to ask questions and for suggestions.

3. Use feedback that goes well with you.

4. Be flexible with you beta readers. 

5. Give them a limited time. If you don't , some beta readers might take  the whole year reading your manuscript. And you don't want to wait a whole year before receiving an opinion or feedback. However, remember to be flexible with them. 

Good luck!