As a product manager, you’re likely fully engrossed in how to make your product the best. If you’re a great product manager, I’m sure you’re doing everything possible such as writing good specifications, talking to users, conducting user research, and everything else in between to ensure your product is successful.

Recently, I discovered a new task that is significantly helped my product sense grow.

Become a beta user for an early-stage product. 

I’ve become an early beta test for many different products to give their product team feedback on making their product better. 

Beta testing has helped me in the following ways:

• Decompress from my typical product job – It’s relieving to look at other products and put yourself in the user’s position vs. always gathering feedback and iterating.
• Form a relationship with other product managers – product managers love it when a user gives thoughtful feedback that they can take back to make real improvements for their product. As product managers, we need to band together and help one another be successful by genuinely taking an active role in adding value to other products outside of your own.
• Gain insight into other product managers’ product development methodology – as a beta user; you gain insight into how a product manager asks questions, prioritize features, exude clarity of vision/mission, and many more. As a beta user, you indirectly soak in how other product managers operate.
• Learn more about a company or product vs. just what you see on their website – On the outside, every company looks perfect. But on the inside, there is a mixture of fire drills, chaos, and more. Becoming a beta user helps you gain more in-depth insight into a product and company. Beta testing is especially great if you’re interested in a job at the company. You will stand out if you already have a relationship with the product team as a beta user, understand the product intimately, and have already provided feedback that led to change on their roadmap.

I’m convinced that simply becoming a beta tester for multiple products and scheduling a bi-weekly or monthly session with the product team has increased my product management growth trajectory. I’ve met many new people and learned a ton about a wide variety of different products that I will take into my next role or product.

How does one become a beta user?

Product managers love receiving direct feedback from their users. If you stumbled onto a bug or an issue on the app, reach out to the product manager leading it through email, Linkedin, or Twitter. In addition to reporting the issue, let them know that you’re interested in being a guinea pig for new features and products. 

Product managers love having a rolodex of users to reach out to get quick feedback on ideas. 

Give this a shot. Find a product that you enjoy doing, and try to develop a few ideas or thoughts on what you think would make the product experience better.

I always try to have detailed notes ready before a beta test session to show i’m thoughtful about the suggestion and feedback.

Lastly, do not judge your ideas or suggestions. Let the product manager know all your thoughts. Don’t be surprised if the product manager has already heard it before. As a product manager, all feedback is essential and helps them validate decisions on their roadmap.

In conclusion, go out and help other product managers with their products. Provide them feedback and suggestions. Exchange ideas and become their guinea pig for any new upcoming feature. Beta testing other products outside of your own will only make you smarter and help you meet other intelligent people as well.