Interview with a Betabound All-Star: Lisa H

Beta testing isn’t just about trying out new products—it’s about shaping them. A Betabounder who embodies these ideals is Lisa H, a dedicated and detail-oriented tester of many years. In this month’s All-Star interview, she shares her journey into beta testing, what keeps her motivated, and valuable advice for those looking to dive into this exciting field. Whether you’re a seasoned tester or just getting started, you will be sure to find Lisa’s insights valuable and inspiring!

An Interview with Lisa H

What got you into beta testing?

I’ve always been interested in learning about and trying out new products – especially hardware and software. I did some adult education training over the years so I was attracted to being able to assist with making products more user-friendly and provide a ‘real world’ experience with feedback that could affect the final product.

How did you feel the first time you were selected for a beta test?

I was very excited to be a part of a beta test because I knew it meant getting to test out a product before it hit the market and provide feedback. I was curious to see how the process would work and I enjoyed being able to interact with other testers, see what they were coming up with for ideas and issues, and even provide some help with folks that were having issues. It was nice to see the amount of interest and attention to detail that both the participants and the folks running the test put in – it gives you a sense of how the product developers really want to put out the best product experience possible that they seek out this feedback.

What’s been your favorite part about being a beta tester?

I enjoy the experience of trying out products that I’ve never owned or tried before as well as testing out new features of products I’m already familiar with. It’s always exciting to see how products are developing and what new capabilities are being added. It’s a neat experience to be able to call out issues that can be corrected before the product is finalized or to suggest features/changes that may not have been thought of by the developers and see if your suggestion makes it into the final release.

What makes being a beta tester for Betabound unique?

Having done tests directly through Betabound as well as those handled by others (Betabound invites you, but the test is handled outside of the platform), I can say I really enjoy how professional the Betabound tests are. Their communication is excellent, from providing clear instructions on what’s expected to quickly following up on any issues or providing feedback on your responses. I also really enjoy that they encourage participation with the community of testers. It’s very helpful to be able to see others’ experiences and feedback on the product and interact directly with other testers. Some tests have omitted this aspect, which is a mistake as the interaction is very helpful.

What motivates you to keep devoting your time to beta testing?

I very much enjoy the testing experience as a whole and being able to discover issues or suggest improvements/additions/changes that may ultimately affect the final product. It’s fun to try new things and get a firsthand experience with a new product or software version, and being part of the final outcome is very gratifying.

How do you hear about new beta tests to apply for?

I rely on emails from Betabound to see what tests are coming up and determine if I’m a good fit for them. I like that they provide a brief description of the test and what the qualifications are so you know whether or not you should attempt the qualification process. 

Any advice you would give to newer beta testers?

First off, don’t get discouraged if you are not chosen for tests even after applying for several. It’s pretty competitive and the tests are usually trying to get either a specific group of people or a very varied set; you will eventually get a match. When part of a test, treat it like you would a job – put in the time and effort needed to fully test each area you’re being asked to review. Be detail-oriented; take notes as you go and be ready to provide screenshots/videos of any issues you encounter. Be a team player – interact with others’ feedback (up-vote, comment, etc.) because it helps the developers know if something being suggested is worth the time/investment to add if a lot of people are agreeing and upvoting.

What do you like to do for fun?

When I do get some free time, I enjoy playing Word games (very proud of my 98% win percentage in Wordle!) and hanging out with my dogs. I’m a lifelong learner and enjoy watching how-to videos for creative endeavors in Photoshop, Lightroom, etc. I also am generally listening to and reading about 3-4 different books at any given time.