Why Every Author Should Have Beta Readers: 10 Overlooked Benefits
- Steve Gamel
- Jul 3
- 4 min read
You've just wrapped up what you truly feel is a solid draft of your first book. It's got intrigue, humor, a gripping plot, and a solid cast of characters. And let's not forget about the many well-timed twists, all of which are surely enough to satisfy even the most critical reader. Great job! But before you reach out to a publisher or go the self-publishing route, don't skip this one crucial step: get feedback from beta readers.
I've been discussing the importance of beta readers with my author clients a lot lately. And many of them are quick to ask, "What the heck is a beta reader?"
Simply put, a beta reader is someone who reads your manuscript before it's published and provides feedback from the point of view of an average reader.
They aren't necessarily there to be your editor (hopefully, you hired one of those).
They also aren't there to be your ghostwriter (if you needed one).
More often than not, they are a friend, spouse, family member, mentor, colleague, or even a trusted neighbor. Basically, someone ... anyone ... you trust to step in from the outside with a fresh perspective, help you see your book the way your future audience might, and provide honest, thoughtful feedback from a reader's point of view.
Beta Readers Are a Test Audience for Your Book!
You're an amazing writer! And I bet you partnered with a thorough team to get the initial draft of your book to where it is right now. That includes your editor, ghostwriter, typesetter, graphic designer, illustrator, and so on. They're all fantastic at what they do!
However, it is also essential to gain a clear sense of how actual readers will receive your book. And the best person to bridge that gap between your vision as the author and the reader's experience is—wait for it—an ACTUAL READER!
Aside from giving you a simple thumbs-up or thumbs-down, beta readers offer numerous benefits. Here are a few to consider:
They can serve as a sounding board, offering unique direction and clarity.
They can tell you what moved them—and what didn't.
They may notice certain areas where your story drags or feels rushed.
They can tell if your characters are off, inconsistent, or just not believable.
They can offer tailored feedback if they are an expert in your genre.
Beta readers will tell you if the book held their attention or not.
They can point out what might be missing.
They can catch problematic or offensive content.
Their feedback can reduce the risk of negative reviews after publication.
They can boost your confidence!
Beta Reader Traits
Hopefully, this blog post has helped you decide that bringing in a few volunteer beta readers is a great way to ensure your final draft is your best work yet! The next step is choosing the "right" beta readers. After all, not everyone is cut out for this important role.
Here are some key traits to look for in your beta readers (some might surprise you):
Kind but direct — You want truth, not fluff.
Strong communicator — They go beyond "I just don't like it" and clearly explain why something you wrote did or didn't work.
Detail-oriented — They know what looks right and what doesn't.
Reliable and on time — They'll actually do the job when you need it.
Empathetic and open-minded — They appreciate your voice and vision.
Against-the-grain thinker — Most authors choose beta readers with experience in the genre they've written about. But it's also OK to choose someone who wouldn't ordinarily read your genre. In my opinion, if what you wrote can capture the average reader’s attention and prompt them to think, you might have a winner.
I Use Beta Readers, and You Should Too!
The most important step I took after finishing my book, Write Like You Mean It: Mastering Your Passion for the Written Word, was reaching out to a trusted team of beta readers. As soon as I had the initial manuscript in my hands, I started making phone calls. And most of those calls were to people who had no clue I'd been writing a book.
I prefaced each conversation by saying that I didn’t want sugarcoated responses or polite compliments. I also wasn't looking for them to do a line-by-line, deep-dive edit with a red pen.
This wasn't about being an editor; it was about being a casual reader.
I needed honest reactions—even if they admitted that they didn't like it.
Every comment gave me something valuable to consider. As a result, my book benefited from it and was ultimately well-received by my target audience. That’s what I want for all authors–including those reading this blog post right now!
Everybody needs a strong beta reader or two. Now it's time to find yours!
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STEVE GAMEL is the President & Owner of Edit This®, a writing and editing services company in Denton, TX. He is also a consultant, writing coach, and the author of Write Like You Mean It: Mastering Your Passion for the Written Word. Steve handles anything involving the written word. Give him a call today to help give your business a clear voice.
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