Beta Reader vs. Editor: Which Do I Need?

After spending months or years writing your book, it’s time to bring others into the fold to help make it the best possible version of your story. But should you turn to professionals or beta readers? Understanding the difference between beta readers and editors will help you create the best possible version of your book.

In this article, we’ll explore the differences between beta readers and professional editors. We will also explain when you should use each and how to best apply beta readers’ feedback. Learn whether you should use beta readers before hiring a professional editor. We’ll also explore tips for getting the most out of beta readers’ feedback.

What Is a Beta Reader?

Betas read a book before the manuscript is finalized. Beta reading may take place at different stages of the process, but beta readers often review the manuscript after the author self-edits but before professional editing.

Beta reading should not be confused with advanced readers. The latter receive advanced reader copies (ARCs), which are early copies of the final book, as it will be published. ARCs are sent for the purpose of receiving early reviews and puff quotes.

While endorsements from advanced readers help sell the book, beta readers actually provide feedback to help make the manuscript better.

What Does a Beta Reader Do?

After reading the manuscript, which is often delivered in a digital format, a beta reader simply gives their opinion. Their feedback may be basic or comprehensive, depending on the beta reader.

A beta reader’s feedback typically revolves around reader response. They share with the author how they felt about the book. Did they enjoy it? Did the story hold their attention?

Beta readers typically don’t go into detail about how to fix certain issues. They may not even articulate why they felt a certain way about aspects of the story. It’s often up to the author to analyze beta readers’ responses and determine the best way to implement beta readers’ feedback—or whether to use it at all.

Beta Readers vs. Professional Editors

A professional editor works with manuscripts for a living. Professional editing services include developmental editing, manuscript critiques, line editing, and proofreading. Here is an in-depth explanation of different types of editing.

Like writing, editing is an art form that requires consistent practice, so the sorts of insights a professional editor can provide are going to be different from those a beta reader gives.

Specifically, a manuscript critique or developmental edit is likely to emphasize why something is or is not working. Depending on the service, the professional editor may also offer suggestions for fixing problems and improving the manuscript. At Blue Pen, we end each developmental edit and manuscript critique with a suggested action plan, breaking down our recommendations for strengthening the work.

Beta Reader vs. Editor Cost

Professional editing, as the name implies, is not free. Developmental editing or a manuscript critique requires a financial investment.

Beta readers typically do not require a fee. Many writers have critique partners, with whom they exchange critiques and beta reads. That means one writer will give feedback in exchange for feedback on their own work.

There are also paid beta reading services. These services provide a different kind of feedback than professional manuscript critique or developmental editing services, focusing primarily on reader response. It’s important not to confuse these services with professional editing.

Beta Reader vs. Editor Feedback

The difference in the type and quality of feedback you receive from beta readers vs. editors is that beta readers often know they don’t like something but they can’t always articulate why.

That’s a skill that comes with practice and understanding what makes stories tick. Professional editors are able to see past emotional reactions and understand what’s not working within the story—as well as offer suggestions for fixing it. A beta reader might say, “I didn’t care when Sheila died.” A professional editor might say, “You didn’t spend enough time developing Sheila in this specific scene, so the reader would not be emotionally invested when she dies.”

Those sorts of specifics and causations make the revision process much easier to tackle.

Should I Use Beta Readers or an Editor First?

I recommend using beta readers before hiring a professional editor. Ideally, you will improve the manuscript to the best of your ability before hiring an editor, and that includes making changes based on beta readers’ feedback.

The stronger the manuscript is before professional editing, the deeper your editor can go with their feedback. If your editor spends time detailing how to address problems you could have fixed yourself, that’s time they can’t devote to other issues.

How to Benefit from Beta Readers

There are a couple of things you can do to get the most out of your beta readers’ feedback.

1. Guide Beta Readers’ Responses

One of the most helpful things you can do for beta readers (and for yourself) is to prepare a list of questions. Ask how they felt about certain scenes or certain aspects of the story. Guiding their feedback will help make sure they cover topics you have specific questions about.

2. Don’t Feel Obligated to Make Changes

Remember that you are the author. You’re requesting beta readers’ opinions, but that does not mean you have to make each and every change they recommend. Consider their feedback, including its context, and implement it as you see fit.

How Many Beta Readers Should I Have?

I recommend having at least three beta readers. If all three readers agree on an issue, it’s likely you have a problem to address.

Generally, three to five beta readers is a good number, assuming all of them actually read the manuscript and provide feedback.

How to Find a Beta Reader

You can find beta readers on social media and in your writing groups. Beta readers do not need to be writers, and it’s often beneficial to have some who are not. Writers tend to inject their writing style into their feedback, considering how they themselves would have chosen to write the story.

Your ideal beta reader…

• regularly reads in your genre.
• is not a close friend or family member.
• has time and is willing to read in a timely manner and offer thoughtful feedback.

This can be a challenging combination, so you may need to cast a wide net when searching for beta readers. And of course, you may find success outside these parameters. Personally, I’ve had close friends offer very honest and useful feedback.

To find beta readers (or become a beta reader), you can join Inkbury, a platform that helps writers and readers connect online and in person. Inkbury is free to use, and you can search for beta readers who read in your book’s genre and age category.

Do I Need Beta Readers at All?

It can be tempting to skip the beta reading stage altogether and simply hire a professional editor. But beta readers are an important part of the process. They play a unique role.

Beta readers help you further improve your manuscript so you can get the most out of professional editing. They also provide reader-response feedback and help you understand how your book will be received by readers.

Beta Reader vs. Editor for Improving Your Manuscript

Beta Readers	Professional Editors
Amateur	Professional
Free (excluding paid beta reading services)	Requires a fee
Feedback quality varies	In-depth feedback and suggestions
Often state opinions without analysis	Specify why problems exist with potential solutions
May require quid pro quo	Need one editor (or one of each type)
Need multiple beta readers

Beta readers and manuscript critiques play different roles in the process, and you’ll need them both at different times. Beta readers offer important reader-response feedback to help you improve your manuscript before professional editing.

Developmental editors, on the other hand, provide comprehensive notes, with actionable recommendations for improving your manuscript.

When you’re ready to hire a professional editor, our handpicked team of editors is standing by. But regardless, make sure you’re giving your manuscript what it needs to reach its full potential.