MAY 2, 2025

Welcome to The Tilt, the newsletter for content entrepreneurs from Tilt Publishing. Together, we’re redefining what it means to be a publisher.

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The Power of Beta Readers and ARCs

Creating means iterating and learning from what you’ve created.

For books, that means more than writing a lot to hone your craft. Arguably, the iterations derived through the editing process are more important than the actual writing. That’s when other real people get their hands on your writing that the best and most important refinements start.

In the fiction publishing world, after an editor makes their notes, beta readers are engaged to help further refine the book. And after that, advance reader copies (called ARCs in the publishing world) are sent out to build marketing buzz.

This process is key to successfully launching fiction books, and it translates 100% for nonfiction writers. Here’s how beta readers and ARCs can help refine your book, connect with your audience, and ultimately set your book up for success.

What are beta readers?: Think of beta readers as a test audience for your book. Like a movie screening before its release, beta readers should be a small group who fit your ideal audience. And they can’t be casual readers.

Beta readers will approach your book looking for gaps, confusion, or opportunities that you might not see. They test the clarity of your concepts, ensure your writing isn’t overly technical (or too simplistic), and note sections that might cause your reader to lose interest.

Say you’re writing a guide to social media marketing for beginners. A skilled beta reader might point out that your step-by-step chapters would make more sense reordered or that some of your examples feel outdated.

Where to find beta readers: The best beta readers come from your target audience. Search in industry-specific Facebook groups, LinkedIn networks, or even among your newsletter subscribers.

Reach out to subject-matter experts. Look for other authors who’ve published a book on the same topic. This is a good opportunity to expand your professional network while improving your book.

Best practices for beta readers:

1. Timing matters: Share your manuscript after completing one or two rounds of self-editing, but before it reaches professional editing. Beta readers work best when you’ve done some heavy lifting.
2. Be clear about expectations: Give beta readers guidance about what kind of feedback you seek. Broad questions like “Did you like it?” won’t be nearly as helpful as “Were my explanations clear?” or “Was there any section you found confusing?”
3. Diversify your readers: Include a mix of readers to reflect your audience’s diversity. If your book targets entrepreneurs, find beta readers across industries or career stages.

What are advance reader copies (ARCs)?: After beta readers help you polish the book, advance reader copies (ARCs) are where marketing starts. ARCs are preview versions of your book to share with reviewers, influencers, and peers before its official launch.

Unlike beta readers, ARC recipients typically don’t provide feedback. Instead, they help create buzz by writing reviews, sharing testimonials, or spreading the word about your book launch. For nonfiction authors, ARCs help solidify your authority in your niche and establish credibility.

When and how to use ARCs: You’ll want to send out ARCs three to six months before your launch date. Your book doesn’t need to be 100% finalized (though it should be as close as possible) because ARCs are about getting early endorsements and visibility.

You can print ARCs or distribute them digitally. But print is usually ideal — your reader can’t post a picture on social media holding up a digital copy of your book.

Print-on-demand makes it easy to create professional-looking ARCs. You just need to create a unique version of your book, including a note explaining that this is an advance copy. This usually means something on the cover to indicate the book isn’t for resale and a page inside asking your advance readers to leave a review.

Make it easy to leave a review. Provide a list of platforms or websites (like your site, Goodreads, and Amazon) where they can post feedback. Consider including a QR code that goes to the review page. Or leave your email address and ask for testimonials about the book.

Best practices for ARC readers:

1. Build a list of recipients: Research influencers, journalists, and leaders in your field who might be willing to read and endorse your book. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your network, too.
2. Create a professional-looking ARC: Use platforms like ​Lulu​, owner of ​Tilt Publishing​, for print copies, or tools like ​BookFunnel​ for digital ones. You don’t need the final cover design, but your ARC should look polished and professional.
3. Include a call to action: Encourage recipients to share their thoughts on social media or leave reviews and give them a deadline to maximize visibility ahead of your launch.

If you’re serious about self-publishing, don’t skip these steps. By investing in beta readers and ARCs, you’re investing in your readers, your credibility, and your book’s long-term impact.

Helpful Resources:

• ​​Before You Publish: Get a Proof Copy​​
• ​​An Author’s Guide to Beta and Sensitivity Readers​

Ready to start your book adventure? ​Tilt Publishing​ is ready to help.

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• No. 1 on Forbes … Congrats to ​Tilt Publishing author Justin Moore​, whose book, ​Sponsor Magnet​, was named as one of the ​six must-read books for creators​.
• Avoid the spotlight effect … Get to work and ​get your book done​. [Lulu]
• Bad writing advice … Eric Puchner delivers ​two poor pieces of advice​ for writers. [Craft with Kat]
• Bygone Big 5 … Big-name publishers may work for big-name authors, but ​others play the publishing game​, too. [Dispatch]

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