If you’re reading this, chances are you or someone you know is thinking about taking a position in data entry. That’s great! There are plenty of smart, thoughtful people in this field. Data entry is a growing gig, with data entry jobs on Upwork increasing by more than 200% since 2014.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Freelance data entry offers a great opportunity to make extra money and expand your career horizons. |
| 2. Using professional freelance data entry operators ensures accuracy and efficiency in handling data. |
| 3. Learn how to secure freelance data entry jobs and kick-start your career in this field. |
| 4. Master the skills required to become an exceptional freelance data entry specialist. |
| 5. Stay informed about industry trends and best practices in data entry projects. |
| 6. Find answers to frequently asked questions about freelance data entry. |
| 7. Further reading resources provide additional insights and tips for getting started and succeeding in freelance data entry. |
| 8. Overcome common challenges in freelance data entry by improving speed, accuracy, and data management skills. |
| 9. Understand the importance of data security and confidentiality in freelance data entry projects. |
| 10. Stay updated on the latest tools and technologies relevant to data entry to enhance your efficiency and productivity. |
What Is Data Entry?
Data often comes to us in the form of paper or electronic documents that need to be typed into a computer system or database. In some circumstances, it can also be manual input with an automated machine like a barcode reader or GPS device.
Data entry needs vary based on the source material and business requirements, but most need to be entered into a database within 24 hours. Easy access to electricity and the Internet might be required for some positions, especially those outside of metropolitan areas. Benefits of data entry:
Building a successful freelance career in data entry requires dedication and expertise. Learn why freelance data entry is a great way to make extra money and expand your professional horizons.
How Much Does It Pay?
Typical rates for data entry jobs vary based on experience and industry (medical vs finance). For example, at the time of writing this article $12 per hour was common for new freelancers working from home (without any benefits). However, if you get lucky and have skills that are in demand from high-paying clients, you can make much more (upwards of $30 per hour).
A few days ago I saw someone offer $100 per week ($4200 annually) using an online platform called Textbroker. Challenges of data entry:
You must consistently meet your job deadlines so no one gets fired/disappointed/swears at their screens while trying to do their work because they left incomplete spreadsheets all over the place when they quit
Software Is Your Best Friend
Data entry is a relatively simple task to accomplish and do, but it’s also an activity that can eat up a huge chunk of your time. It’s tempting to cut corners, especially if you’ve been given a hefty deadline by the client you’re working for. But it’s crucial to avoid this tendency and make sure you haven’t made any silly mistakes when typing all of that data in!
It should be noted that the software being used by most freelancers is not only free but also extremely easy to learn. This is important because many companies like to constantly revamp their filing system, meaning you’ll likely have to pick up new software from time to time without much advance notice.
The good thing is, most of them are pretty similar and easy to use, just different button placement or commands required here or there. You might even get lucky and be using the same program as last time!
But getting down the basics doesn’t mean we can slack off learning how our programs work—in fact, the more we understand about each one, the better we can take advantage of them by making them fit our needs (for example: saving us time while capturing all of our data).
Accuracy and efficiency are crucial in data entry. Discover why it’s important to use a professional freelance data entry operator to ensure your data is handled with precision and confidentiality.
Know The Number
Data entry speed is a largely subjective metric when it comes to freelancing, but there are some fairly standard numbers that you can use as benchmarks. If you’re just starting out, you may want to set your sights a bit lower than what’s considered average or even fast—but if you’re feeling ambitious, shoot for one of those figures from the get-go!
Typing speed is measured in words per minute (WPM) and is calculated by dividing the total number of words typed by the total time spent typing. The term “fast” probably means something different to everyone reading this article, but in data entry, we typically consider anything over 75 WPM to be fast enough for most jobs.
There are plenty of reasons why someone would type faster or slower than this, including hardware limitations like keyboard layout and finger size, personal style preferences when it comes to typing and pecking with two hands on a keyboard (as opposed to touch typing), medical conditions that affect motor skills like paralysis or Parkinson’s Disease, and more.
Many factors play into how fast you can type: how long your fingers are; how well they move; how calm or nervous you are; etc. Data entry speed is sometimes broken up into different categories: professional typists’ speeds fall between 40-100 WPM; stenographers’ speeds fall between 85-200 WPM, and true hunt-‘n-peckers might only be able to achieve 10-15 words per minute.
These benchmarks may seem pretty intimidating at first glance, but keep in mind that professional typists spend years developing their craft in order to reach higher speeds. You won’t become an extreme typist overnight—but if you work hard and practice regularly enough, who knows? Maybe someday soon you’ll be hitting those top numbers too!
Get It Right The First Time
Data entry is a field that seems like it shouldn’t require any special skills because it’s all about typing. While this is true to some degree, it’s also important to understand the project requirements and how you can help the client have them fulfilled.
For example, for a small ad agency, their data entry needs are likely to be very simple: they need someone to check spelling and grammar on submissions before they go live in writing (which is what I did with the job that started this article). The end result of this process would be a piece of text that says “This ad has been reviewed.”
If you’re working with an agency or client on a project like this, make sure they understand that while there may be plenty of details involved in the final product such as color schemes, brand mentions, etc. The primary function is checking spelling and grammar.
Looking to start a career in data entry? Learn valuable tips and strategies on how to get a freelance job in data entry and kick-start your journey towards becoming a skilled data entry professional.
Give Some Flexibility
The times that I’ve been burned out are when I’ve failed to keep a work/life balance. As a freelancer, you need to be flexible in your work hours. If a client wants to add on more work for you at three p.m., you need to be able to stay at the office until six or seven and take care of it, even if that means missing dinner with your family.
However, this doesn’t mean you should routinely burn yourself out and start falling behind on projects. So how do you keep that balance?
What could help here is keeping your mind fresh and alert by doing something totally unrelated after work like going for a walk, reading, or playing a video game for half an hour before coming back to do more work.
You also don’t want to feel afraid of trying new ways of doing things: sometimes clients will come up with ideas that don’t make sense (like asking you to format their entire database into Excel spreadsheets). You shouldn’t feel bad about politely telling them it’s not really the best way and they would benefit from upgrading their website instead.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions either if there’s something you don’t know how to do or haven’t done before, chances are someone else has had the same problem so Google will have an answer for you!
Finally, don’t be afraid of changing your mind about things it can be very stressful being responsible for every little detail in your business but trust me when I say: it’s okay if sometimes you realize something isn’t working right and need time and money invested into it again so long as it was only ever because of unforeseen circumstances (like life events) or just really good advice from someone who has been around longer than you.
Be A Real Person; Don’t Be Robotic!
Data entry is boring, but it’s important. If your business relies on data entry, you’ll be expected to do lots of it for months at a time. That’s why we’ve got some advice for you about the way to be friendly and professional in everything you do when you’re doing this kind of work.
Remember that people like working with other people. Look around at your workplace you’re probably surrounded by coworkers who are older than you, younger than you or have different skills from yours.
That means that they know a lot more about computers than you do. They might even be better than you at doing certain tasks! So pay attention and ask them questions if something seems confusing or complicated. And remember that they’re people too! Be polite and friendly to everyone so they’ll want to work with you again when the job is finished.
Communication Is Key
You’ve probably heard the phrase “communication is key.” It’s true for everything from working out with a personal trainer to getting a job interview. The best way to learn something is to do it, so there are no better ways for you to improve your skills than by doing data entry.
You’ll get to know all of the different kinds of customers and what they like and don’t like, which will definitely help you develop your communication skills in other aspects of your life.
You might be thinking that people in other countries are odd; after all, some cultures are very strict about manners and social norms, while others believe that everyone should walk around with a smile on their face all the time.
If this is you, then maybe this section isn’t for you but since we’re talking about how important communication skills are in life, we wanted to share this tip with you anyway!
Mastering the skills of data entry is key to becoming an exceptional freelancer. Dive into our guide on how to become an amazing freelance data entry specialist and elevate your expertise in this in-demand field.
Know When To Stop For The Day.
As a freelance data entry professional, it’s important to know exactly how much work you can get done in a day. Although it might seem like the best strategy is to stay up late and get as many tasks done as possible, this should actually be avoided whenever possible. Here are some tips for knowing when your workday is over:
- Before doing anything else, make sure that you’ve completed everything on your to-do list for the day. This will make it much easier to determine how much longer you need to stay up before calling it quits.
- If you find yourself plagued by mistakes, take a break! Data entry requires accuracy above all things, so if even simple tasks are proving difficult, chances are good that you’re running out of energy. Taking some time off can help clear your head and give you a better vantage point from which to tackle the problem.
- Working at a steady pace with little interruption from other thoughts or tasks is easy once certain habits have been established, for example, making sure that there’s no music playing in the background or having any ominous deadlines looming overhead but breaking these habits once they’ve become engrained can sometimes prove more difficult than simply sticking with them in the first place especially since an all-nighter isn’t always necessary
Are you curious about the ins and outs of data entry freelancing? Discover the essential things that freelancers should know about data entry to gain insights, tips, and industry knowledge to thrive in the world of data entry.
Take Breaks!
Data entry is a labor-intensive and often monotonous process. It’s easy to get lost in the routine of dividing time between your keyboard and a Netflix show, but it’s important to remember that you’re often doing the most intense kind of work.
The Following Are Some General Tips For Avoiding Burnout During Data Entry
Take breaks. If you feel like you’re about to fall asleep or are struggling to focus, even for a few seconds, take a break. Just close your eyes for thirty seconds, maybe stretch your arms, walk around for a little bit, then return to work with fresher eyes and mind. You’ll likely find yourself working more efficiently when you return from your break too!
If you have an office job and there aren’t any windows nearby where you can take a short walk outside (or even if there are), go look at the wall art or photos hanging on the wall in another part of the building. It’s actually pretty common to forget what walls look like after sitting near them all day!
Don’t Procrastinate
At this point, you may have already experienced the benefits of ignoring your to-do list. Since it’s been so long since you last checked, you can’t tell what’s new and what’s been done. After all, there is a lot to do in a small space like an apartment, but the problem is that you’re always tired and cannot easily focus.
The thing is that if you don’t keep your workspace tidy and organized, it’s harder to stay on task. It also makes it easier for an enemy to get into your stuff. Some things that freelancers need or want are:
- paper clips or some way of keeping loose paper together (a file folder won’t work)
- post-its for marking pages as completed (as well as writing notes)
You Need To Have An Eye For Detail
Data entry may seem like a simple job, but it requires a high level of accuracy. Mistakes can be costly if they lead to errors in the database. The first step to entering data accurately is to review the directions and ask questions if you aren’t clear on anything.
When working on your own, it’s easy to get distracted or lose focus. As soon as you realize that your mind has wandered, stop what you’re doing and take a break for a few minutes before returning to work. If work was interrupted for something urgent, jot down the time and reason in your electronic calendar so that it will be easier for you to remember this information later.
If you spot an error in your data entry after submitting it, request that the client make corrections or verify that the changes were made before resubmitting your completed project
Ask Questions. Lots Of Them
If you’re a freelancer, chances are that you’re working in the field of data entry. This type of work involves typing letters and numbers into forms. Its huge growth has been attributed to the exponentially growing need for it at companies across industries.
Freelancers who prefer this type of work enjoy a high level of independence no longer having to answer to clients and be restricted by deadlines or specific tasks set out by them. Data entry jobs are also known as types of shorthand information processing, which is what they do: they take certain sets of data, usually on paper forms, and convert them into text or numbers more easily readable by computers.
Most freelance data entry jobs don’t require big skills, but other useful qualities include attention to detail, a sense for accuracy, a moderate level of multitasking ability (more than one job can be done at once), problem-solving skills, and an ability to speak clearly and confidently about the things you know about especially when applying for new positions rather than doing the same thing over and over again.
Data Entry Work Takes More Than Just Typing Skills
Verbal expression of computer instructions is sometimes lost in translation.
You can make your job more interesting by taking a part-time position at a daycare center, watching toddlers play, and learning how they interact with one another.
After 10 straight hours of data entry, your hands start shaking like jelly and you need food to stave off hunger pangs. Luckily, there’s nothing wrong with your arms or wrists; it’s just that your brain has been put on full speed for many hours straight, so it won’t process anything else for a while after the workday is over.
The things you type are never going to be perfect even if you follow all the rules when typing words on a keyboard or filling out forms online so no matter how fast you type, there are always going to be some mistakes here and there. So don’t worry about those mistakes too much; just take them as part of the experience that makes data entry fun!
Conclusion
Data entry is not quite as simple as it sounds. Though it may entail only a keyboard and a screen, correct data entry work requires both organization and professionalism on the part of the employee.
Chances are that you’ll be working with a team of others to achieve your project’s goals, so knowing how to deal with them can be just as important as being highly skilled in your role. The following list contains some tips that will help you become an invaluable member of any data entry team:
Take Breaks
You may have heard that sitting at a computer screen all day is unhealthy. When doing data entry work, this can be amplified tenfold. In addition to not breaking good habits of getting up from the computer every now and then, try using programs like f.lux or Windows Night Light to keep blue light from streaking across your display and keeping you awake late into the night (for more on this topic, see my post about “Why You Should Use F.lux”).
Don’t Procrastinate
If you’re given a deadline for something, take it seriously even if it seems like no one else around you does; there’s probably been careful thought put into scheduling everything out when they did. Also, remember that what seems easy now might quickly prove otherwise when deadlines are approaching there’s nothing wrong with asking for help if your task is proving difficult!
Doing data entry work doesn’t need to feel tedious or repetitive in fact, there can be surprising amounts of variation and creativity involved once you get past typing in numbers mindlessly all day long! Taking care to cultivate relationships with your co-workers and finding reasons to look forward to returning each morning will make sure your time is spent well!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to explore:
How to Get Started with Freelance Data Entry: Learn the essential steps and tips to begin your freelance data entry journey and set yourself up for success.
Freelance Jobs: Data Entry: Discover various freelance data entry opportunities, including job platforms and tips for finding and securing data entry projects.
Everything You Need to Know About Data Entry Projects: Gain comprehensive insights into data entry projects, including industry trends, project types, and best practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Data Entry vs Data Processing
Data entry and data processing can be used as synonyms for one another. The primary difference between the two is that with entry, you are putting information into an existing system, and with processing, you are manipulating information to achieve a certain result.
Data Entry vs Data Entry Clerk
A data entry clerk does not need any special skills or training they learn on the job. They may have had previous experience using computers or working in other clerical roles before taking on this career path. A lot of what they do stems from rote memory the more they do it, the faster they get at it (and the more money they make).
This makes them good candidates for outsourcing to countries like India or Pakistan where workers can gather valuable routine skills quickly and efficiently before sending their work back home to be entered by someone else (or even by themselves).
What Skills Do I Need?
You don’t need much beyond basic computer literacy, good spelling, and keyboarding ability. You will also need a high level of attention to detail. This is because once you’ve entered all your information into a program or database, you will be expected to review each row of results and make sure that it contains exactly what you want it to contain.
If there’s anything wrong with your rows of results, you’ll need to correct them before moving forward. It’s up on your own shoulders whether you have skills like graphic design knowledge photo editing software basic HTML basic graphic design (adobe photoshop) database management experience.
What skills are required for freelance data entry?
To excel in freelance data entry, you need strong attention to detail, accuracy in data input, proficiency in relevant software/tools, and excellent typing skills.
How do I find freelance data entry projects?
You can find freelance data entry projects through online job platforms, freelancing websites, networking within professional communities, and reaching out to potential clients directly.
What are the typical rates for freelance data entry work?
Freelance data entry rates can vary depending on factors such as project complexity, required skill level, and market demand. It’s advisable to research industry standards and set your rates accordingly.
How can I enhance my data entry speed and efficiency?
Improving your data entry speed and efficiency involves practicing touch typing, using keyboard shortcuts, employing automation tools, and organizing data effectively.
What are some common challenges in freelance data entry?
Common challenges in freelance data entry include maintaining a high level of accuracy, handling large volumes of data, managing deadlines, and ensuring data security and confidentiality.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.