Beta Readers are those who read your manuscript before it goes to an editor or to press and offer constructive feedback. They can help you identify weaknesses and problem areas, and give you an indication of what to expect from your readership. Their assistance is be invaluable, especially when it comes to letting you know what is working and what is not. Try to include as many non-writers as possible in your team!
If you have friends or family who read in the genre you've written, ask them to read your draft and offer their honest feedback. Find out what works for them and what doesn't. Ask them to answer the following questions:
· How quickly did you become invested in the story?
· Were the characters relatable and realistic? If not, why not?
· Is my writing easy to understand or were you frequently confused?
· Did the story seem to drag in parts or did it hold your interest all the way through?
· What did you love about the story?
· What did you hate about the story?
· Are there any plot holes you noticed?
· Are there any continuity errors that need to be addressed?
· Did you notice any frequently occurring grammatical mistakes or overused words?
· Were you happy with the ending?
Aren't sure if anyone reads your genre? Ask them! Thanks to the advent of social media, you have a whole world of readers at your fingertips. Put out feelers and see who bites. It might surprise you to find how many of your friends, family, or followers are willing to help you out.