Brand new Beta Readers who have never completed a Beta Read for Hidden Gems before are granted the status of Trial.
The Trial reader period is an evaluation period, sort of like a job interview. A Trial reader can only sign up for a single book, and for that book they will not be paid (nor will the author be charged for that reader). The purpose of this unpaid period is for the Beta Reader to go through the entire process of reading the book, filling out the questionnaire and submitting it by or before the deadline. How they do on this first book will be evaluated to determine if they will be promoted to full, Active Beta Reader status.
Authors will be asked to provide feedback on the quality of responses for all authors, but their evaluations (along with those of Hidden Gems) of readers in the Trial stage will help determine whether that reader is promoted to an Active reader status or not. Note that it’s not so much about the content of the questionnaire answers, but the quality of them. That is, how much thought and effort was put into the responses, whether the questionnaire was submitted on time, etc. If the author and Hidden Gems are satisfied with the responses of the book completed by a Trial reader, that reader will be promoted to full active status and begin to be paid for any future books that they Beta Read and fill out the questionnaire on time for.
Note, however, that the decision on whether to promote a reader to Active status is at the sole discretion of Hidden Gems. Further, Beta Readers will continue to be evaluated by authors and Hidden Gems and if it is determined that they are no longer providing useful or thoughtful feedback for the books that they sign up for, they may be removed from the program. Once a reader is removed, they will no longer receive any books, but will still be paid for the books that they completed on time in the past (if any amounts are still outstanding).
Remember, it isn’t about whether you liked or disliked the book or any aspect of it – after all, the whole purpose of the program is for an author to get honest feedback on what worked and didn’t in their book. Rather, it is whether you’re sending your feedback in a detailed manner, and on time.
If you follow these two key points regarding your questionnaire, you’ll likely make a great Beta Reader:
- Provide detailed and thoughtful answers to the questions, so that the author can understand exactly what it is you liked or didn’t like and why, and can take action to improve those aspects of the story if they choose.
- Always submit your questionnaires by or before the due dates.