Beta Readers, ARC Teams, and Street Teams: Who's Who in Your Author Journey
If you're new to the publishing world, you might be surprised by how many people read your book before it hits the shelves. From beta readers to ARC teams to street teams, each group plays a crucial role in shaping your book, building buzz, and supporting your launch. But what do they actually do? When should you bring them in? And where on earth do you find them?
Let’s break down the purpose of each group, how to use them effectively, and how to build your own dream team of reader support.
What Is an Alpha Reader?
Alpha readers are your earliest readers—usually seeing the first or second draft of your manuscript. They’re trusted individuals who give feedback on big-picture elements before the book goes through professional editing.
What alpha readers help with:
Overall plot flow and pacing
Character development and consistency
Noticing confusing or unclear scenes
Offering general reader impressions
When to use alpha readers:
After you’ve finished your first full draft and done at least one self-edit. You want the manuscript to be readable, but it doesn’t need to be polished yet.
Where to find them:
Writing partners or critique groups
Trusted readers who understand your genre
Fellow authors or beta readers from past projects
Members of your writing community or author network
Tips:
Set expectations. Let them know this is an early draft and you’re looking for honest, constructive feedback. Share specific questions you’d like answered, and be clear about deadlines if you’re working on a schedule. Google Docs or shared PDFs work well for collecting comments.
What Is a Beta Reader?
Beta readers are your first audience. They read a draft of your book before it’s finalized, usually after developmental edits but before copyediting and proofreading. Their feedback focuses on the overall story—what’s working, what isn’t, and where readers might feel confused, disengaged, or dissatisfied.
What beta readers help with:
Plot holes
Pacing and structure
Character development
Reader engagement
Emotional impact
When to use beta readers:
Once you’ve revised your manuscript a few times and feel like it’s mostly solid, but still want reader input before the final polish.
Where to find them:
Writing groups (in person or online)
Reader Facebook groups
Subreddits like r/BetaReaders
Author communities or critique circles
Your own email list (if you have one)
Tips:
Be specific with what you want feedback on. Send readers a short questionnaire or checklist, and don’t overwhelm them with vague prompts like “Did you like it?” Ask about specific characters, pacing, or emotional beats.
What Is an ARC Team?
Your Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) team gets a polished, nearly-published version of your book—usually the proofed version that you’ll use for print or ebook formatting. These readers are your early reviewers and buzz builders.
What ARC readers help with:
Leaving early reviews (on Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, etc.)
Sharing your book on social media
Catching any last-minute typos (though this isn’t their main job)
When to use ARC readers:
Start building your ARC team 4-8 weeks before release. They need time to read the book, prep their reviews, and plan content for your launch week.
Where to find them:
Bookstagram and BookTok communities
Facebook or Goodreads groups
Your newsletter subscribers
Readers from your previous books (if applicable)
Tips:
Make it easy for them. Send a welcome email, share the review deadline, and give suggestions for where and how to post. Consider using BookFunnel, Booksprout, or BookSirens to securely distribute your ARC copies.
Read more about ARC Teams in this post: Developing Your ARC Team: Building a Community of Support and Gratitude
What Is a Street Team?
Your street team is your ride-or-die launch squad. These readers go beyond reviews and help spread the word in creative, personal ways. They may:
Share your book in Facebook groups
Recommend it in comment threads
Post unboxings or book mail content
Help moderate your launch party or reader group
Participate in giveaways or graphics sharing
What street teams help with:
Organic, word-of-mouth promotion
Visibility in reader communities
Deep reader-author connection
When to build a street team:
Some authors build a consistent street team who show up for every release. Others build one per book. You can start recruiting around the time you form your ARC team or sooner.
Where to find them:
Your most engaged readers (look for people who reply to emails, comment, or DM you)
Friends who want to help with your launch
Former ARC team members
Beta readers who love your work
Tips:
Give them special access. Exclusive sneak peeks, bonus content, or even just a group chat where they can talk to you directly can go a long way. Make it fun and meaningful, not just a job.
The right readers at the right stage can make all the difference in how your book is shaped, received, and supported.
How I Help My Clients Build These Teams
Many of my clients feel overwhelmed when they first hear about all these teams. Who do you trust? How do you keep track of it all? That’s where I come in.
I help authors create a custom plan for building their beta, ARC, and street teams based on their book, audience size, and launch timeline. Inside the Story Flow Collective, members get access to my vetted vendor and reader directories to make this even easier.
Whether you’re gathering feedback on your first draft or prepping for launch week, I’m here to make sure you have the tools and people in place to thrive.
Final Thoughts
Each of these reader roles serves a different purpose—and when used well, they help you create a stronger book, build trust with your readers, and release with confidence.
You don’t need a massive audience to start building these relationships. Just a clear plan, thoughtful communication, and a bit of trust in the process.
If you need help forming your team or planning your next launch, I’d love to support you inside the Story Flow Collective. Let’s build your village together.
P.S. Letters From Story Flow is your bi-weekly resource for authors who are ready to grow their careers with clarity and ease—without relying on hustle-heavy strategies that don’t feel like you.
If you're ready to build a sustainable author business, connect with readers, and get expert guidance that actually meets you where you are, click here to join me!