Working with Beta Readers: A How-To Resource for Nonfiction Authors
Want to write a better book? Use your readers to help you. Here’s how.
It can be nerve-racking to put your draft in progress out into the world. You know you’re not done, but you might not know exactly what to do next.
Not only that, you wonder How will readers respond? Am I on the right track? Does my book have potential? If I ask for feedback now, will it be useful?
If you want to produce a better nonfiction book and save time and money in the process, it’s important that you hear from your target readers before you finish your book.
With that in mind, here’s how you can successfully utilize these beta readers and get helpful feedback on your nonfiction book manuscript.
Qualifications of a beta reader
First of all, a beta reader should fit the profile of your ideal or typical reader. A beta reader has read your other work before or reads a lot of similar books. In addition, a good beta reader gives honest and specific advice and can meet a deadline.
Find a few people who meet this description. Then send them your manuscript.
If you want some helpful insights, ask your beta readers these questions:
Did reading this feel like listening to a friend talk?
When did you become hooked? Was the opening page intriguing? Was the end satisfying?
Did the book keep your attention? When were you bored? Where did it flag?
Where were you confused?
What parts could be cut out? What needs to be expanded upon?
Were the “next steps” clear, practical, and useful? (Ask this with self-help books.)
What contradictions, inconsistencies, or events out of sequence did you see?
What did you like most about this book? What did you like least?
What pet phrases, glaring typos, or repeated grammar errors do you see?
Did the chapter titles do the book justice? How could they be improved?
Describe the ideal reader for this book? Who would you recommend buy the book?
Additionally, you can ask your beta readers targeted questions aimed at helping you spot potential weaknesses, improving the sections that were difficult to write, and giving you a sense of how well you did when you took creative or interpretive risks.
One thing you can ask is a big ask, but it can be revealing:
“Mark each time you put the book down and let me know.”
Knowing when they put the book down can provide insights into when and where your pacing is off.
Experience shows that it’s important to set a due date for your beta readers’ comments. Then add a few weeks. You shouldn’t have to badger people to finish their reviews. In time, you’ll discover who is reliable.
Should you pay beta readers? That’s up to you, but you probably don’t have to. Most beta readers say yes because they love reading (your work). Most will welcome a free copy of the final book. Some of my clients also offer (or send, as a surprise) a small gift, gift card, or payment, none of which are expected.
If you enlist your ideal (or actual) readers, ask them for honest and specific feedback, give them great questions to answer—and try to take your emotions out of it and be open to what your readers are likely to want and expect from you—you’ll get information that will help you improve your book and get it ready for copy editing.
Catch those last-minute typos and goofs. Turn out your best book.
Find out how to do the best proofreading—yourself.
With a punch list you can count on.
Having beta readers helps you, in the long run, to better connect with your target audience.
And you’ll be able to better market and promote your book.
If you’re getting contradictory comments from your beta readers or mentors and you need more systematic and in-depth feedback on your work in progress . . .
Tell me about your project and I’ll start a professional manuscript assessment for you.
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