What's a good way to deal with your beta readers?

When they're good, beta readers are absolutely fantastic. When they're bad, you'll wish you'd just done the job yourself.<br><br>I've become this way, a little jaded, recently. I've written a historical fiction novel, and I'm working on a fantasy series. I've had some wonderful beta readers, who have provided feedback with wit, charm, and actual helpfulness.<br><br>I've also had some terrible beta readers. People who thought they were a beta reader, but typed out 5K worth of what amounted to a character assassination of me, with no actual feedback on the writing they were supposed to be critiquing. People who disappear on your work and then pop out months later and expect you to be grateful. People who turn out to be rival writers, doing whatever they can to make you look bad, because they're insecure about their own writing. People who want to rewrite your work, not critique it.<br><br>I've largely gone out of the beta reader circuit because of this. My experience of beta readers has been overwhelmingly negative, and when I'm working on a piece of writing, I'd rather just do it myself. That means that I miss out on that valuable fresh perspective, but at least I don't have to worry about the drama and nonsense that comes with beta readers.<br><br>What are people's experiences of using beta readers? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below. And if you do use beta readers, do you have any tips for how to deal with them? All your input is most welcome.