Okay, so now that I've gotten the BORING stuff out of the way...
I've noticed that there are some people on fanfiction that fail utterly at being betareaders. I'm going to tell you right now what you should do to make your writers adore you.
DO:
- Write an intelligent-sounding beta profile. If you write, in the "Beta Description" box, "omg i heart ff and writttting PICKKKK MEEEEEEEE!" no one with any hint of an IQ above sixty will want you as a betareader.
- Message people that say they want a betareader. A lot of the time, people will put things like, "I'm currently looking for a betareader to help me with a Buffy the Vampire Slayer story." Immediately message them to say you're interested. People will tell their friends about you if you're halfway decent. That's publicity, which is good.
- Give an honest opinion. I think that the reason people like me as a betareader is that I tell it like it is. I don't just say, "Oh, that was the best thing I've ever read!" You can be nice about it or use a funny simile or metaphor to say it, but SAY IT. Please. Dear God, please.
- Read your beta writer's stories and profile. If you know their writing style, you're more likely to offer suggestions they'll like. Plus, if you know something about them, you might get along better.
Don't:
- Ignore beta requests. Even if you don't want to beta the story, it's rude to not respond. Besides, if you seem legitimately sorry about it and fairly intelligent in your response, they might ask you to do another story later.
- Sugarcoat. EVER.
- Work on two many stories at the same time. Give yourself a limit, like three betareading gigs and four of your own stories.
