How does become a beta reader?

[Serendi]

Most authors seem to use people they already know, sometimes other authors, sometimes not. If they've been in writers groups they tend to use the group, for example.

Lately, I've been noticing more people asking online. In the Author Promo threads, occasionally someone will ask for beta readers. There exist a lot more online gathering places for new authors, self-published authors, and so on; if you want to beta read, you can probably find people there. (I'm guessing you could find such groups by checking the Groups list here on Goodreads, or asking people in the Author Promo thread. In general, probably Googling as well.)

I know of one established author who asks for alpha readers, but I'm not going to say who in this venue, in case it would be a problem.

[Sean]

Actually I just finished up something that could use beta-readers. Anyone interested in a fantasy comedy in the style of Kevin Smith and John Hughes?

[Foil & Phaser]

I was toying with the idea of starting a club for peer-to-peer SFF beta reading, along with anyone else who was interested in just reading and commenting. If there is any interest I would like to know so I can go forward with it.

[Walter]

I know some folks who were invited to become beta readers after reviewing a given author's work on major sites such as Amazon and Goodreads.

Smart authors don't want the equivalent of a sock puppet as a beta reader, or at least they shouldn't. They want sharp folks who demonstrate through such reviews that they are smart and intuitive, and can catch major boo-boos before the work gets released to the general public.

[Wilmar]

For me,

I personally sought out reviewers who gave me a negative review to beta read my book. The Silver Ninja(2 stars or less)
I also invited a very small number of 5 star people as more of the 'control' group to see how far they're willing to let me go with the stories.

I essentially sought out people that said, "I wanted to like this book, but..." and asked them to give me their honest feedback, which they did.

I generally do not invite fans who loved the book to read it for me (again, unless they're a control group) because I don't want to ruin the book experience for them.

Anyway, I'm always happy to have beta readers. If this is something that interest you, I would be more than happy to send invites to my private beta reader group.

Nothing's going on right now, but when I'm ready for my next book I'll put out the call.

As an FYI the beta read group is specifically for The Silver Ninja book series.

[Lee]

Walter's essentially correct there. A lot of authors now, once they get a following -- the tough part -- will use fans of their work as beta readers. But it's important to find people who can still be interested, yet still detached enough to give good critical feedback.

Good beta readers are golden.

[Warren]

Make yourself useful. It hard to find people who will check; spelling, grammar, punctuation and sentence structure. (Pacing and character develoment are also useful.)Think about it.
If you have a hundred people offer to give their opinions and one person who'll check spelling and grammar. Who's do you pick first?

[Warren]

FYI- Patick Rothfuss reply to that question-
http://iurl.no/b07y9

As you can se he has no shortage of volunteers.