How to hire beta readers
Beta readers can provide feedback to help you improve a manuscript in progress. Or help you edit a manuscript before sending it to a publisher.
So how do you hire beta readers? What follows are some tips for finding top beta readers on Upwork.
How to shortlist beta reading professionals
As you’re browsing available beta readers, it can be helpful to develop a shortlist of the talent you may want to interview. You can scan profiles on criteria such as:
- Type of beta reading. You may want a beta reading specialist who understands the type of beta reading you’re dealing with, whether it’s a specific genre, culture, or topic.
- Project experience. Screen candidate profiles for specific skills and experience (e.g., beta reading teen romance novels).
- Feedback. Check reviews from past clients for glowing testimonials or red flags that can tell you what it’s like to work with a particular beta reading specialist.
How to write an effective beta reading job post
With a clear picture of your ideal beta reading specialist in mind, it’s time to write that job post. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for an independent professional to know if they’re the right fit for the project.
An effective beta reading job post should include:
- Scope of work: From providing general impressions to editing grammatical errors, list all the deliverables you’ll need.
- Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project.
- Background: If you prefer experience with certain industries, topics, or genres, mention this here.
- Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts
Ready to find an independent professional to help with your beta reading project? Log in and post your beta reading job on Upwork today.
BETA readers FAQ
What is beta reading?
Beta readers are people who read and provide feedback on manuscripts, such as typos, grammatical errors, or structural issues. Many authors use beta readers before submitting a manuscript to a professional editor.
Here’s a quick overview of the skills you should look for in beta reading professionals:
- Beta reading
- Types of beta reading (e.g., technical, genre, subject matter)
- Familiarity with style guides (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago)
- Basic editing knowledge (e.g., book editing, technical editing, academic editing)
Why hire beta readers?
The trick to finding top beta readers is to identify your needs. You know you need someone familiar with beta reading, but do you need someone to read an 8-page chapter and provide general feedback? Or someone to read a 400-page manuscript and provide detailed notes per chapter?
The cost of your project will depend largely on your scope of work and the specific skills needed to bring your project to life.
How much does it cost to hire a beta reading specialist?
Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, detailed critique required, and length of the manuscript.
- An experienced beta reading specialist may command higher fees but also work faster, have more-specialized areas of expertise, and deliver higher-quality work.
- A contractor who is still in the process of building a client base may price their beta reading services more competitively.
Which one is right for you will depend on the specifics of your project.