Product creators: do you beta test?

I do; even the free products. Whether we're talking digital products like an eBook or video training or a complete member site, or something more hands-on and expansive like coaching, beta testing is a must IMO, and extensive and diverse testing at that.

- Product / Service Creation
- Redrafting
- Screening process for beta testers
- Personal Beta Testing
- Outsourced Beta Testing
- Redrafting
- Outsourced Beta Testing
- Redrafting
- Release

NB: Quite often outsourced beta testing and redrafting can be repeated more than the above indicates.

When it comes to finding beta testers, especially for information products like many of us produce here, I believe the key is diversity and obviously to let people test free of charge (since they're doing us a great service). You need an equal proportion of testers who are inexperienced and expert in the subject-matter. Indeed, in my business, it really is often the newbies who provide the better feedback. The way I look at it: if they can understand the material and literally get the most out of it that is feasible, then anyone can benefit.

You do get lazy beta testers, obviously, but this is why a screening process is recommended. It weeds them out. The results from beta testing can literally be the difference between failure and success for any product and service. Quite often, in my own case, I find that the initial draft is usually "close" but, through testing, I'm able to isolate weak areas and indeed areas that need to be added altogether. The best tip I can offer: use screening, never charge for testing, never promote to your testers (let them come to you if they want anything), and question, question, question the testers in order to bring any potential issues to light. It's an involved process.

I would "think" that if you create a thread on the subject, you might find it deleted. Maybe not. I'm not clued up in this area, but I can tell you what I do. I quite often get approached by people, various reasons, and I'll sometimes be in a position to offer them an upcoming testing position. These people make the best testers quite often because there is no bias; they're not friends or family out to please you. Second to that, I have a network of friends and family and business contacts who I'll often appeal to.

- Tom

I don't beta test my products. I sell ebooks, and i don't offer "review copies". If you sell software, then beta testers might be a good ordeal. I believe here on the Warrior Forum if you create a product, you can let other Warriors review it for free, and they'll put their thoughts and ideas in the comments and posts of your WSO.

Beta testing is important ... allows you to find out what your product is lacking & how to improve it.

Yes, beta testing is very important. It helps you work out bugs/issues and also helps you gather reviews for when you launch your product.

There was a recent study reported by
Inc Magazine where they found that CEO's
of small businesses reported that 28%
of their best product ideas come from
customers while only 26% come from
themselves,

Moral of the story... get your product out into
the market and let your customers flood your
inbox with great ideas... free of charge!