In today’s fast-paced digital world, finding a flexible and convenient way to earn extra cash is quite easy and a good example of this is data entry.
Data entry is becoming an increasingly popular option for those looking to work remotely while fitting their jobs around their life’s demands. Data entry side hustles involve inputting and managing data, making it an ideal option for individuals looking for a flexible remote job.
In this piece, we take a look at what a data entry side gig looks like and the kind of opportunities that are available. We’ll also share tips on how to balance your side gig with your job and other responsibilities.
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What is Data Entry?
Data entry is the process of feeding information, often in the form of text or numbers, into a computer system or electronic spreadsheet.
This crucial task ensures that businesses can access and analyze essential data for various purposes, such as managing customer contacts, maintaining inventory records, handling financial transactions, and tracking market trends.
In today’s digital world, data entry plays a significant role in many industries – from healthcare to finance and retail to government agencies.
For example, medical facilities require accurate patient records for efficient treatment plans and billing processes; whereas e-commerce companies need well-maintained product listings for smooth online sales operations.
There are two types of data entry work: online and offline.
Online data entry jobs involve inputting information into a computer system or spreadsheet through the internet. These jobs can be found on freelance platforms like Upwork, where companies post their job requirements for remote workers to apply. You can do these data entry jobs from home.
Offline data entry tasks, on the other hand, require that information be manually entered from physical documents onto a computer program or spreadsheet.
Benefits of a Data Entry Side Hustle
A significant advantage of pursuing a data entry side hustle is the flexibility it offers. Since most online data entry jobs can be done remotely, you can easily work from home, coffee shops or co-working spaces while maintaining control over your schedule.
Then, of course, is the income boost you get from doing this part time. We’ve seen before, starting a side hustle that makes $1,000 a month can dramatically improve your financial situation.
Another noteworthy benefit is the diversity of opportunities available in this field. Data entry roles often span across various industries and job functions – from audio and video transcription to market research and medical coding – allowing you to explore new sectors without any major commitment or risk.
Additionally, gaining experience in different types of data entry projects not only helps sharpen existing skills but also opens doors for future career advancement within the booming remote work landscape.
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Skills You Need for Data Entry
Here are the skills you need to get into data entry:
Fast and Accurate Typing
A crucial skill for a successful data entry side hustle is the ability to type quickly and accurately. Fast typing allows you to complete tasks in less time, increasing your overall productivity and earning potential.
Ideally, data entry professionals should aim for a typing speed of at least 60 words per minute (wpm) with minimal errors.
To improve your typing skills, consider using free online resources such as Typing.com or Keybr.com that offer lessons designed specifically for speed and accuracy improvement.
Additionally, practice makes perfect – the more you work on your typing skills in real-life situations like transcribing audio files or filling out forms online, the faster and more accurate you’ll become.
Attention to Detail
Data entry requires a keen attention to detail. Accuracy is key when entering information into databases and spreadsheets, as even small errors can impact the integrity of the data.
To ensure accuracy, data entry professionals must carefully review their work for mistakes before submitting it to clients or supervisors.
Familiarity with Spreadsheets and Databases
To be successful in data entry, it’s essential to have basic knowledge of spreadsheets and databases.
Data entry clerks will typically work with large amounts of information that needs to be organized and presented clearly for further analysis. Familiarity with various types of databases is also crucial when working as a data entry clerk.
Learning how to use Excel at a high level can not only make your work easier (eg using macros), it can open up new opportunities for you.
You may use database software like Access or Oracle to input information into tables or create records from raw data. Having a solid understanding of how these applications function can help streamline your workflow and make you more efficient at handling tasks assigned by clients.
Good Communication Skills
Good communication skills are crucial in data entry jobs. As a data entry clerk, you will often work on projects for clients or companies and need to be able to communicate effectively to ensure you meet their needs.
Good communication skills involves the ability to ask questions when needed, seek clarifications where necessary, and provide regular updates on progress.
This helps build trust with the client since it shows that you are paying attention to detail and can offer insights into how best to optimize the project’s outcome.
Furthermore, clarity of information delivered through effective communication is essential for time management in data entry work – this means that you must update your colleagues about estimated time for completing tasks if there are changes rather than leaving them wondering about status updates potentially slowing down productivity levels.
Basic Computer and Internet Skills
To succeed in data entry side hustles, you must have basic computer and internet skills. This includes proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Google Docs, and other software commonly used for data entry tasks.
Moreover, internet proficiency is vital as most data entry jobs are done online. With high-speed internet access, you can do most remote data entry jobs seamlessly.
Basic web browsing knowledge will also come handy especially if you need to download or upload files from clients’ websites or cloud storage platforms such as Dropbox or Google Drive.
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Side Hustle Ideas in Data Entry
If you want to start a side hustle, data entry work is not limited to one kind of task or industry. There are various types of data entry jobs that you can delve into, each with its own set of requirements and potential earnings. Here are some data entry jobs you can try out:
Audio and Video Transcription
This involves listening to recorded audio or watching a video file and typing out the spoken words into a written document. You will be transcribing recordings of interviews, meetings, or other audio files into written format.
Audio and video transcription can be in various industries, such as medical, legal, academic, or entertainment.
One industry that requires transcription services is law firms. Transcribers are hired to transcribe court hearings or depositions for lawyers who need accurate records for their cases.
Another one is the entertainment industry where interviews with celebrities are transcribed for magazine articles or documentaries.
Data Verification and Correction
Data verification and correction involves reviewing and ensuring the accuracy of pre-existing data entered into a database or spreadsheet.
You need a keen eye for detail and good communication skills to clarify any errors with clients or team members. For example, you can work a side gig to verify voter registration data or correct errors in medical billing codes.
Market Research
Market research helps companies to better understand consumer behavior and preferences. Data entry roles in market research may involve inputting survey responses or analyzing data from focus groups.
Data Entry Specialists may capture the entire details from survey formats such as voter registration forms while some remote workers involved in Human Intelligence Tasks (HITs) will process different kinds of requests ranging from image tagging to providing sentiment analysis for social media posts.
While some market research data entry jobs may require prior experience, others may only require basic computer skills and proficiency in using spreadsheets or databases.
This type of work requires attention to detail, as accuracy is crucial in ensuring that the collected data is reliable and useful. Market research data entry jobs can be found on freelance platforms such as Upwork or through job search engines like Indeed.
Filling Forms Online
Filing forms online is a common data entry task that involves inputting information from physical documents into digital formats. This type of work requires attention to detail and accuracy to ensure that the data is entered correctly. Here are some instances you will find yourself filling forms for money:
- Some companies may require assistance with filing tax forms or preparing financial reports for the IRS or inputting candidate information into their online job application systems.
- Healthcare facilities may require help with entering patient information into electronic medical records.
- Law firms may require assistance with inputting legal case information into their systems.
- Government agencies or organizations may need help inputting registration information for events, conferences, or programs.
- Market research companies may require assistance with inputting survey responses into their databases.
Working on these types of projects can be a great way to earn extra income while working remotely at your own pace and schedule. The pay rates for filling forms online can vary widely depending on the complexity of the task and the client’s budget, but it is important to note that some jobs can pay over $35 per hour.
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Processing Emails
Processing emails involves sorting through and organizing large volumes of emails, as well as responding to them or forwarding them to relevant parties.
When you are doing email processing as a data entry side hustle, besides basic computer skills, you need to be comfortable using popular email platforms such as Gmail or Outlook. You should be proficient in organizing incoming messages by category, sender or subject matter.
Overall, email processing is a great option for those who enjoy working with technology and have excellent organizational and time management abilities. It also pays well since it’s an important aspect of business communication.
Micro Jobs
Micro jobs are small tasks that can be completed quickly and easily by data entry workers. These jobs usually pay a few cents to a few dollars per task, but they are easy to complete and require little effort.
Some popular micro job platforms include Fiverr, Amazon Mechanical Turk, and Clickworker. Here are some examples of micro jobs:
- Online research: Finding information on the web for companies or individuals.
- Collecting data: Gathering and inputting data into spreadsheets or databases.
- Simple data entry: Inputting small sets of data into online forms.
- Image tagging: Categorizing images according to specific keywords.
- Survey participation: Taking part in online surveys for market research companies.
Micro jobs allow you to earn extra money in your spare time without committing to long-term projects. They are also a great way for you as a freelancer and independent contractor to build up your portfolio while earning income. However, the way these data entry jobs work, they pay very little and it can take a significant amount of work to make a substantial income.
Medical Coding
Medical coding is a specific type of data entry that requires knowledge and understanding of medical terminology and codes. You can do medical coding remotely as a part-time job if you are a nurse looking for an extra buck.
The kind of data entry services you will be offering includes converting medical procedures, diagnoses, and information into codes that are used in billing and for analysis purposes.
Some organizations require certification or education in the field to do this work. Besides knowing the medical terminology, you need an understanding of coding systems such as ICD-10 and CPT, accurately enter data related to medical procedures and diagnoses, and be familiar with medical billing software like Medicare or Medicaid.
Product Entry
Product entry is a type of data entry job that entails entering product information into an e-commerce platform or database.
This job involves accurately inputting details such as pricing, descriptions, and images for products. Some platforms may require additional tasks like categorizing products, ensuring inventory levels are accurate, and optimizing listings for search engines.
Payroll Entry
Payroll entry is a common type of data entry work that involves entering employee payroll information into a company’s database or software.
Depending on the nature of the job, it may involve calculating salaries or hourly wages based on pay rates and taxes, updating employee information, processing deductions for benefits, taxes, or other withholdings and other tasks.
Payroll entry ensures that employees are properly compensated and taxes are correctly calculated and paid. There is often demand for high-quality payroll entry specialists who possess strong data entry skills and an understanding of basic accounting principles.
This type of data entry requires accuracy and attention to detail, as even small errors in payroll calculations can have significant consequences.
Data Cleaning
Data cleaning is an essential task in data entry that involves identifying and correcting inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and errors in data.
Examples of data cleaning tasks include removing duplicate entries, ensuring consistent formatting for different types of data (e.g., dates, phone numbers, addresses), checking for missing or incomplete data and filling in the gaps, verifying the accuracy of data by cross-checking with other sources, and correcting misspellings and typos
Effective data cleaning can help improve the overall quality and reliability of the data being entered. It can also save time and reduce the risk of errors down the line. Therefore, having experience in data cleaning can make you more marketable when looking for a remote part-time job as a data entry clerk who could earn over $35 per hour.
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Finding Data Entry Jobs
You can find data entry jobs through various platforms, including freelance websites like Upwork and Fiverr, job search engines such as Indeed and Glassdoor, direct company hiring, and networking with other professionals in the industry. Let’s take a look at these avenues:
Freelance Platforms
There are various freelance platforms available that offer data entry jobs for individuals looking for part-time remote work, whereby they work as independent contractors.
Some popular websites include Upwork and FlexJobs, where you can browse through different job postings based on your skills and experience level. Since you have to face competition on a platform like Upwork, you can stand out by crafting a great cover letter.
Another well-known site is Axion data entry services as it offers some of the best data entry jobs.
While openings are very rare at Axion Data Entry Services, due to their stable workforce, you can register yourself through their website.
One advantage of using these freelance platforms is the flexibility they offer, allowing you to set your own schedule and choose projects that fit into your daily routines.
Job Search Engines
Another convenient way to find data entry jobs is through job search engines. These websites compile job postings from various sources, allowing you to easily browse and apply for open positions.
Popular job search engines include Indeed, Monster, and Glassdoor. You can filter your search by location, salary range, and other preferences to find the best fit for you.
When searching for data entry jobs on these platforms it’s important to make sure the position is legitimate and not a scam. Some red flags to look out for include jobs that require upfront payments or promise unrealistic pay rates.
Direct Company Hiring
Direct company hiring is a popular way to land data entry side hustles. Some companies hire directly for remote or on-site positions, which can be found through job search engines like Indeed or ZipRecruiter.
Many large corporations also offer part-time data entry positions with flexible schedules that you can do from home.
One advantage of direct company hiring is the security it provides since you are usually offered an employment contract with benefits such as paid time off and health insurance.
Additionally, working directly for a company means there is only one point of contact when issues arise regarding payment or work requirements instead of dealing with multiple parties as in freelance platforms.
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Tips For Success In Data Entry
Let’s take a look at the things you can do to thrive in your data entry side hustle.
Develop a Routine and Workflow
To be successful in data entry side hustles, you need to create a routine and workflow that works for you. Since data entry jobs can be tedious and time-consuming, having a set schedule that incorporates regular breaks can help prevent burnout.
This may involve planning out your day or week ahead of time to prioritize tasks based on deadlines or complexity.
Organize Your Workspace
Being organized is key to success in any job, but it’s especially important when working in data entry. Your workspace should be clean and uncluttered, with all the tools you need within easy reach.
It’s also important to create systems for organizing your work documents and files. This can include using folders on your computer or cloud storage services like Google Docs to keep everything easily accessible.
Taking the time to organize your workspace can help improve productivity and accuracy in data entry tasks, allowing you to complete assignments more efficiently.
Familiarize Yourself with Software
One of the essential skills needed for successful data entry work is proficiency in software, as most data entry tasks require the use of various computer programs. Familiarizing yourself with different types of software can help you become more efficient and productive at your job.
Taking some time to learn these programs’ basics can make a big difference in workflow and accuracy while working on projects.
Fortunately, many online resources offer free tutorials or courses that cover everything from beginner-level topics to advanced techniques tailored explicitly to data entry-oriented jobs.
Improve Your Typing Speed and Accuracy
One of the most important skills for data entry jobs is typing speed and accuracy. The faster you can type without errors, the more productive you will be in completing data entry tasks.
To improve your typing speed and accuracy, practice regularly.
Another helpful tip is to make sure your keyboard is positioned correctly, allowing you to type with ease without straining your hands or wrists.
Communicate Effectively With Clients
Efficient communication ensures that your client’s needs and expectations are met. When communicating with clients, be clear and concise, using language that is easy to understand.
Overall, being able to communicate efficiently enables you to establish trust and ensures that both parties are on the same page regarding project expectations and timelines.
Take on Additional Skills and Projects That Complement Data Entry
To be successful in data entry side hustles, take on additional skills and projects that complement your existing abilities. For instance, you could learn how to transcribe audio files, which is a common form of data entry work.
As you gain more experience in the field, you may find that there are many opportunities for growth and advancement within the industry.
Network With Other Professionals
Networking with other professionals in the data entry industry can be a valuable way to stay up-to-date on job opportunities and trends. One way to connect with others is through online forums, such as LinkedIn groups or Facebook pages dedicated to data entry freelancers or remote workers.
Another benefit of networking is that it can lead to referrals for new clients or projects. Building relationships with fellow data entry professionals who may have overflow work or need assistance on larger projects could result in additional income streams.
Avoid Data Entry Scams
It’s important to be cautious when searching for data entry jobs online, as there are many scams out there. One common scam is where you’re asked to pay a fee upfront in order to gain access to a database of potential employers.
Legitimate data entry jobs won’t require any payment from you upfront. Another red flag is if an employer promises high-paying gigs with little to no experience required.
You can avoid most of that by utilizing legitimate websites and platforms like Upwork and FlexJobs that offer genuine data entry clerk jobs.
However, these sites may also have scammers trying to take advantage of job seekers but it is easier to spot them on there because these sites are more stringent in screening clients. For example, on Upwork, you can easily spot a genuine client because they will be verified.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a data entry side hustle can be an excellent option for those looking for flexible and remote part-time work. With the demand for data entry positions increasing, there are numerous job opportunities available online.
Developing specific skills such as fast typing speed and attention to detail can help improve your chances of securing data entry jobs.
However, you need to be cautious of scams and ensure you’re working with legitimate companies or clients.
Before you leave
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David Fortune has been the editor NoBSIMReviews.com since 2019. He is an expert at writing content on stock advisory services, side hustles, reviewing online business opportunities and many more topics. You can learn more about David on our about us page.