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If you hire a beta reader/editor for $ 50.00, that's what you get. (Beta reading is editing, so I'm going to use the word "editor").
Just think it through -- how long does it take to read your manuscript? How much time does an editor need to think about yout story and characters, come up with solutions to story problems, and then write it all up? At minimum (!), you need to calculate five hours of work. 10 hours is much more realistic. No "professional" editor can afford to offer their services for less than $ 100.00 per hour, so expect to pay at least $ 500.00 for a professional editor / beta reader.

EFA rates for beta reading start at $0.008 per word, though very few beta readers charge that much, and even fewer authors are willing to pay it. If someone is significantly undercharging, there's always a risk involved if it's rushed feedback. This is one of the reasons why AI-generated beta feedback has been on the rise lately.

Fiza wrote: "EFA rates for beta reading start at $0.008 per word, though very few beta readers charge that much, and even fewer authors are willing to pay it. If someone is significantly undercharging, there's ..."

If EFA rates for beta reading START at $ 0.008 -- let's calculate an average of 300 words per page, and 100 pages for a (short!) manuscript, that would make $ 240.00. A good, professional editor would charge more than the minimum rate, and then you're already getting close to the $ 500.00 that I suggested for beta reading services. I know that most first-time authors don't understand how much work it is to edit a book. But if they're not willing to pay fair prices for professional editors/beta readers, then they won't get professional help. How many of those authors who are only willing to pay low, low, low prices for beta reading services are successful authors? Just to make something clear: I am NOT an editor, and I do NOT offer beta reading services. But I would never hire someone who offers their services for next-to-nothing. I'm not stupid, I know that it's not possible for someone to offer professional beta reading services for $ 50.00 for a whole (!) manuscript.

I have to clear some few things here,

Beta reading is not editing! Beta readers are test readers and they look at the manuscript to find any inconsistencies, character development and pacing issues. When you hire a beta reader you can only expect that level of feedback unless they have mentioned otherwise. Beta readers in no way provide SOLUTIONS to the problems in the manuscript, more in-depth, detailed and concise feedback as well as solutions are provided by developmental editors (who cost way more)

And I agree with Fiza, the EFA rates start at $0.008 {you can check out the rates here } but don’t let that undermine genuine beta readers who offer it for way less, I know several beta readers who are affordable but do the job perfectly.. vetting is important here. One thing to take note is to look at their testimonials, the thing I have noticed is the high number of AI generated testimonials.

Sarah � wrote: "I have to clear some few things here,

Beta reading is not editing! Beta readers are test readers and they look at the manuscript to find any inconsistencies, character development and pacing issue..."

You make a very good point, but authors looking for beta readers expect editing services. This is a quote from Grace (see above), who hired a beta reader for $ 50.00 and then wrote the following: "But I didn't receive a single piece of "actionable feedback," no suggestions of how to improve, just weird things like this and a lot of off-base insults." -- Authors do expect "actionable feedback" from beta readers. They do expect editing services. Clearly, there's miscommunication between authors and beta readers, and there are false expectations from authors.
But notes on character development -- that's editing, not beta reading. Looking for inconsistencies -- that's also editing, and not beta reading.
Anyone who wants to offer advice on character development actually needs to know how characters can be developed on the page. That's a skill which needs to be learned. Just loving to read books does not make you an expert in character development.
If I want advice from someone who has unique skills (who put in time, effort, and money to acquire that skill...like editing books)...well, then I need to be willing to pay them for their skills.
Anyone who wants feedback on story development or character development does not need a beta reader, but a professional editor. And professional editors cost money. Don't expect to pay $ 50.00 or a similarly ridiculous amount.

Thanks Ingrid, but the beta reader in question literally offered "actionable feedback" in her original post, which she has since deleted. Her offer was to read the entire book and give actionable feedback, so that's what I am going off of.
Anyway, and much more importantly, my comment was more about the concerning suggestion she made regarding racial issues. That's why I posted, not to whine about not getting enough feedback. Just thought I'd throw that info in there too :)

Grace wrote: "Thanks Ingrid, but the beta reader in question literally offered "actionable feedback" in her original post, which she has since deleted. Her offer was to read the entire book and give actionable f..."

I agree with you that the beta reader offered something that amounted to editing - but the point I am making is this: you should have known that it is impossible for someone to offer "actionable feedback" for $ 50.00 for a whole manuscript. It's common sense that it's simply not possible to offer a client (you) feedback that requires a lot of time and effort at low, low, low prices. You were scammed, no doubt about it. But you should have known better. I'm from Austria and we actually have a term for situations like this, and it's "idiot's tax." You got taxed for not applying common sense when you evaluated that person's offer. Never expect to get in-depth feedback on your manuscript for $ 50.00 or a similarly low amount.

I'm going to hop in this discussion as an author who has worked with several beta readers in this group. I have worked with Elle W. Silver (who deleted their post but is still trying to advertise in the paid services offered section) and I do agree they're a waste of money and most likely a scammer. I had a terrible time with them and had the similar off-base insults challenge and would never recommend them. If they aren't a scammer, they seem to love tearing authors down. They called my book good, so it wasn't me they tore down. but what put a sore taste in my mouth was how they insulted other authors in their report issued to me. If a beta reader/editor does that, they're automatically put in my never hire again list. My fellow authors are not my competition--they're my community, and I never tolerate bringing them down in order to make me feel good. It does the opposite.

But in my experience, a low price point isn't always an issue. Elle W. Silver usually offers beta reading for $100, but discounted it to $50. I've seen editors do that because they want to build a good relationship with the author so they hire them for another service. For example, I worked with an amazing beta reader who charge me less than $100, but I loved them so much I hired them to do more beta reads and as my proofreader. They didn't just praise me, either. They tore my book apart and told me to fix a lot, but in such a kind and helpful way. So, I strongly disagree that someone can't offer actionable feedback on a whole manuscript for cheap, especially if they live outside of the US and Europe, where the US dollar stretches further. Free beta readers and critique partners also provide actionable feedback on a whole manuscript all the time, though it's usually because they swap manuscripts with each other, but some people just have a hobby of providing feedback (like me.) I have even browsed the self publishing reddit forum where a lot of authors got good help for cheap/free, and yes they're successful. Maybe not millions of readers successful, but successful in indie terms. I have seen plenty of authors succeed without using any editing, and I have seen a lot of authors who have spent thousands on professional editors who haven't sold one copy. Editing does make a book more polished and professional, but it doesn't always translate to success. I understand not everyone should look at books that did well without any editing and think "I can do that too," but it's not one hundred percent impossible.

Additionally, I've worked with plenty of excellent beta readers who offered so much feedback for low prices, because they were either switching from free to paid, gave discounts, or as I stated above, they live outside of the US and Europe, where the US dollar stretches further, therefore they can afford to charge less to attract more US clients. Or they're college students/only doing this for side money. In fact, I had a better time with free or low charing beta readers than the ones who charged more really high rates. Those felt more like scammers.

A lot of these beta readers are also understanding, and are willing to negotiate. I had one beta reader who wanted to charge me $150 but was kind and accepted my offer of $100. Granted, they lived outside of the US and Europe, so that is also a factor. I'm seriously considering becoming a beta reader and I would also charge low because it would be side money, and I understand the economy is rough, though I would still give a detailed report.

So there is the case that authors have worked with a low price beta reader before and had a good experience, which is why the red flags don't automatically go off, especially if it's a discount being offered by an editor.

I do agree with Sarah that low price doesn't equal low quality automatically. Discounts pop up all the time because beta readers want to attract new clients, someone cancelled unexpectedly so they need to fill a slot quick (and a low price does that) or they just want to charge low because that's what they feel like doing. I had a developmental editor, who charged incredibly low, but gave actionable feedback on my hefty manuscript and did an amazing job. When I asked why they aren't charging more, they said it's because they wanted to make stuff affordable. And a lot of beta readers double as editors, so they want to build a foundation of trust and good faith, so they charge low and then get repeat customers out of it, therefore making more money.

However, I'm now encouraging my fellow authors to get human references from potential beta readers and editors. Ask them if it's okay to contact references (with references' permissions). For example, my line editor had a potential client who was very hesitant to hire them, so my line editor emailed me asking if it's okay to use me as a reference and give the potential client my email, so I can talk to them. I said of course. I recommend editors, authors, beta readers, etc. use this method.

I also agree with Sarah that beta readers aren't supposed to be editors, but there's a lot of beta readers who are acting like developmental editors and think that's their job. Personally, I don't like that. I have run into several beta readers who go into the story with a "fix-it" mindset and read it very surface level, and then miss out on so much because they're reading it like an editor, not a beta reader. In my opinion, a beta reader is like Sarah said--a test reader, someone who reads it like they picked it up from a shelf and is a customer who's going to post a review on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. What would that review consist of?

I also agree with Sarah that beta readers aren't supposed to provide solutions, but a lot do anyways. It seems like the terms "developmental edit" "manuscript critique" and "beta read" are getting used interchangeably, when they aren't the same thing. I've come across this a lot, which is why authors sort of expect it now. They want at least a manuscript critique/developmental edit in place of a beta read for the price of a beta read, because that's what a lot of beta readers are doing. There is a disconnect, unfortunately. I had to start being very specific with beta readers due to this.

Grace, I'm sorry you had to go through a rough experience, but I hope it offers you comfort that I also had a terrible time with this beta reader, and I understand that low price doesn't always mean bad, as I have wonderful experiences with a lot of beta readers who don't charge a lot. The feedback does vary--some offer twenty pages, others just five, but it all felt genuine and helped me improve so much. I also got inspired to hop into this discussion because you spoke up.

For any lurkers reading this thread, I'm going to link a YouTube video on why it can be dangerous to "remove the whole race thing" and let readers come to conclusions themselves (besides wading into stereotype territory):

I just want to add in a bit of my own here - I am a line editor and a beta reader. Beta reading is not editing! When I do beta reading, I offer suggestions on how they might improve something or tell what/why I did/didn't like about something, but as an editor I make decisions on the best way to change things based on the author's preferences. There is a big difference between advice/opinion and action. There is also a big difference between saying something needs to be fixed and actually fixing it.

Kassie wrote: "I'm going to hop in this discussion as an author who has worked with several beta readers in this group. I have worked with Elle W. Silver (who deleted their post but is still trying to advertise i..."

Hi Kassie,
Thank you four your in-depth reply. I am going to jump into this discussion one more time, and then I am going to bow out, and won't comment any more:

1) I am in favour of providing free beta reading feedback - that's great. Friends, family members, other authors, or people who simply love to read and want to support self-publishing authors - they all make great beta readers. That's terrific.
2) I don't think that every author necessarily needs to hire an editor. I published a book without utilizing beta readers or editors.
3) But when you actually do hire someone to provide a service, you should always pay fair prices. Absolutely no-one wants to work for slave wages.

It is not okay to pay someone a pittance just because they are in a disadvantaged situation, e.g., trying to break into the editing business. It is not okay to pay someone a pittance because it's just a side hustle for them, as you say. What does "side hustle" even mean, other than that they probably don't pay taxes on that income? My guess is that most people who offer their services for low, low, low prices don't report that income and don't pay taxes. Getting paid under the table is not okay. Fewer taxes mean fewer public services - and that's never okay.

I grant you that there are people on this plattform who live in countries where wages are much lower. But even then, one should always pay fair prices. And do you really want to hire a beta reader from, e.g., Nigeria or Vietnam, if your target audiences - the people who will buy your books - are readers in the US or in Europe?

Authors want to be paid a fair price for their books when they sell them. Guess what - everybody else wants to be paid fair prices, too, for the work they do. It is NEVER okay to take advantage of other people.

In my opinion, Grace tried to get a whole lot of something for next to nothing -- and she's not alone. That attitude is pervasive amongst self-publishig authors on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. Many authors are trying to get cheap services from other people....but then expect to get paid fair prices for their own books. To me, that makes no sense.

I would feel ashamed of myself if I were ever to offer just $ 50.00 for an in-depth feedback for a whole manuscript, regardless of where in the world the beta reader lives. If an author sells a book for $ 25.00, that would equal the value of 2 books. That's a pittance for in-depth feedback.

I sincerely hope that some readers rethink their attitude to paying low, low, low prices for services. If you want to/expect to get paid fair prices for the books you write and sell, then you should pay fair prices, too, for other people's goods and services.