How to Find Work as a Paid Beta Reader?

[Jesslyn]

Hi, friends!

Alright, so, I've been working as a paid beta reader for a year or so now, but I feel like there's got to be something else I can do to find jobs. Thus far, advertising here on Goodreads has been my best--and pretty much only--strategy, outside of face-to-face interaction with indie authors at various events.

On top of that, my threads on here have had upwards of 100 views, and yet I've only reaped the rewards of about twenty paid jobs. Is this normal? Am I doing something wrong in the way I present myself?

Also, I've been pretty absent on the forums the past few months due to school, but now that I'm back on track the websites of these betas seem fancier... Do you think the quality of website can be a contributing factor in an author's decision?

Does anyone have any suggestions?

If you're an author, how do you try to find betas? What do you look out for?

If you're a beta reader, how do you advertise? What seems to work for you?


I apologize for the endless questions! Thanks a million to those who can answer any of them. :)

(Also, if I've got the wrong folder for this thread, let me know!)

[Grace]

You could try advertising on Kboards, the online forum, under the Writer's Cafe board. I haven't had much luck there but I see other paid beta readers do. You could get a Facebook page for your beta reading business. I was thinking of trying that, but I haven't yet. Goodreads has been the best place for me to advertise, too.

[Jesslyn]

Grace wrote: "You could try advertising on Kboards, the online forum, under the Writer's Cafe board. I haven't had much luck there but I see other paid beta readers do. You could get a Facebook page for your bet..."

I'll have to look into the Facebook pages! I tried to get involved there a few months back, but Facebook upkeep is not my cup of tea. It is a good idea, though. Perhaps I'll reach out to other Facebook betas and ask them how successful they've been advertising on there.

Thanks, Grace!

[Emma]

I'd make your profile public, so people can see the sort of books you read, and post as many thoughtful reviews as possible. That will be your showcase to authors.
I'm both an author and a paid beta, and I have plenty of work.

[Jesslyn]

Emma wrote: "I'd make your profile public, so people can see the sort of books you read, and post as many thoughtful reviews as possible. That will be your showcase to authors.
I'm both an author and a paid bet..."

You bring up a fair point, Emma. I do need to be more persistent in regards to keeping my profile up-to-date and active in areas other than the beta groups.

Thank you for the suggestion!

[J.R.]

I'm an author. I've also beta read (gratis) and done swaps, so I have an idea of the work involved.

I looked for:

1) Price. I had a definite figure in my head as to what I wanted to pay. I also planned to have multiple readers, which figured into the cost budgeting.

2) Testimonials, especially those posted here.

3) Whether the reader even reads my genre. Obviously, if someone says they prefer paranormal, sci-fi, and fantasy, I do not contact them re: reading my realistic literary fiction manuscript about dealing with depression. haha.

4) Perceived level of snarkiness. I don't like snarky people. I want someone who can tell me what works and what doesn't, and do it in a way which is constructive and friendly. So, I look at people's about me pages and their Goodread profiles to try and get a feel for what kind of person they are.

I'd be very reluctant to hire someone without at least some type of a website. So for me, that's mandatory. (Free readers are obviously different.)

[Jesslyn]

Jen wrote: "I'm an author. I've also beta read (gratis) and done swaps, so I have an idea of the work involved.

I looked for:

1) Price. I had a definite figure in my head as to what I wanted to pay. I also p..."

All fair things to keep an eye out for. I will definitely keep this in mind as I continue searching for jobs :)

Thank you, Jen!

[Kinney]

I found my last two beta paid readers on Fiverr. The payment system was easy. Fiverr does make it difficult to communicate, and I'm sure they take a %.

[Jesslyn]

Kinney wrote: "I found my last two beta paid readers on Fiverr. The payment system was easy. Fiverr does make it difficult to communicate, and I'm sure they take a %."

This is good to know, Kinney!

I think I've made a Fiverr account in the past, but I can't remember why I didn't stick with it. I'll definitely go back and take a look.

Thank you!

[Jessica]

Try upwork.com ! Freelance beta reading, writing, editing. All kinds of stuff! I'm beta reading on there currently for some side cash but I am a writer.

[Brooke]

I've been trying to find a way to get paid beta reading! The only paid thing I have found are a few things on Upwork but nothing consistent or that pays all that well. The people I have beta read/proofread/edited for (because I tend to inadvertently do all three lol) say they're amazed by my level of detail and helpful feedback.

If anyone ever has anything they need read or knows of a paying beta reading job (that isn't on Upwork), please get in touch with me!

*Note: It's not beta reading-related but I actually got a book review request from Goodreads, which I thought was pretty cool! (Yeah, I do book reviews too!)

[E.L.]

I'd love to work out something with you! Feel free to email me: TheDunitesUtopia@Gmail.com

[Bob]

Brooke wrote: "I've been trying to find a way to get paid beta reading! The only paid thing I have found are a few things on Upwork but nothing consistent or that pays all that well. The people I have beta read/p..."

Hi Brooke,

I don't know that anyone will get rich quick by being a beta-reader. The going rate appears to be about $50 for a 100k book that would take the best part of a day to read attentively. And then there is the time to makes notes.

I do a lot of free beta-reading. I don't charge because it's not worth the obligation to finish a book that has more faults than a tennis tournament. If I find the book worth reading, I don't begrudge helping with constructive criticism. If it's not worth reading, I stop and give the writer reasons why.

But if you are keen, there are a few agencies around that would provide a good structure for you to follow. Talk to people like E.L. or trawl through the professional beta-readers thread.

[E.L.]

Hi Brooke!
I'd love to help you out with being a beta reader and have a great manuscript.

[Jo]

Hey!
I'm super late to the party, but I'm also looking into turning beta reading into a bit of a paid side gig :) I've put up an Upwork profile and applied to a few briefs, but unfortunately haven't received any offers yet.

https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~0...

I'll put up a website as well soon, but does anyone have suggestions of what else I could try?

Thanks,
Jo

[Christine]

This is a little off topic, but one of the problems that I have run into with beta reading (free or paid) is that authors don't always know what to expect. Some expect a total line edit and are annoyed when they don't get one.
In my opinion, a beta read is more of an overall read of a book for the big picture - what works and what doesn't.
When I beta read I try to spell out exactly what I will or will not provide.
If I can't finish a book, I will explain why, whether the book is so poorly written that it needs a major overhaul, or if it's my fault and I just don't have the time. Of course, I try to be nice about it too!
I find the biggest flaw in the books I read, is that there is no story - just a bunch of things that happen. So many authors confuse story with plot.
The going rate of $50 per 100K words is ridiculously low. In order to do a good job, it takes many hours of dedicated reading and thoughtful critique.

Christine

[Jo]

@Juliet - it's a funny one, isn't it? Authors don't know where to find help and beta readers don't know where to offer said help haha!

@Christine - totally agree it's a difficult matter to set the right expectations, but I feel like everything can be solved by having a good communication with someone.

You're right, $50 is low for 100k words, but at the same time a bit necessary when a new beta reader is trying to grow a portfolio? I've only done unpaid work so far and did everything from plot and character feedback to in line edits, so it depends on the type of help the author needs. I think this type of projects need to be bespoke, as it would be much easier for me for example to feedback/edit/critique a romance, rather than a non-fictional book on politics - it's all about asking the right questions and giving honest answers, I guess!

[Stacey]

I just started my beta reading and proofreading business. So I totally understand where you are coming from. It’s really hard getting your name out there. It’s hard getting clients so you can get the reviews. I’ve started doing some for free in hopes of getting testimonials to reflect my work and talent. For beta reading, I think the hardest part is that so many offer it as a free service. That’s not a bad thing. So nothing against those who offer it for free.

I don’t have any answers for you, but it’s always nice to know you aren’t alone in your struggles.

[Christine]

I started out offering my services for free, hoping to build up a clientele. It works as long as you can keep your prices very low. There are so many offering free services that it's hard to compete. Some of the free services are probably very good. Some are probably very bad. Some will even steal your work. Like so many things out there, it can be a minefield.

[Jo]

@Stacey - haha I appreciate the camaraderie spirit, I'm sure something will work out eventually!

@Christine - yeah, I'm currently following the same path, doing lots of unpaid work in the hope that I can build a bit of a portfolio, hopefully it turns into something a bit more tangible!