What are Basic Data Entry Skills for Freelancers?

6 Basic Data Entry Skills for Freelancers

Are you new into the world of freelancing? Want to acquire the basic skill which can give you vast opportunities into the freelancing world? Yes? Do read this blog post which I have specially written for you. 

This blog post will discuss the definition of data entry  and the basic skills required for data entry with suitable examples. If you will practice and acquire these skills, you can sell your data entry services on freelancing platforms, and can earn money from it. Every company needs a data entry operator. It can open vast opportunities for you as it is the most demanding online job. So, let's start with its explanation. 

What is Data Entry? 

In simple words, data entry is entering the data from different resources into a format, or updating the information for your target client and company. Data entry operator can do multiple tasks for his client as a lot of occupations are associated with this term. Data entry experts can do typing, transcribing, editing, coding, analyzing information, web researching and collecting information etc. Though data entry includes a lot of tasks, I will discuss the basic data entry skills for you which you can acquire easily and can earn dollars from it. 

Maybe most of you have the question that whether data entry is a technical skill, and acquaintance with advanced computer software is necessary for it. 

So, the answer is "No!"

You just need to have some basic computer and software skills to start your career as a data entry expert. You can practice and acquire these skills easily within a week. 

Yes! Within a week! You can learn the skills and can earn money. 

So, let's discuss basic data entry skills with examples. 

Basic Data Entry Skills:

1. Typing:

You should have fast typing skills to be a data entry expert. For this, practice typing on your laptop, computer or mobile. It will enhance your typing skill. Practice typing on MS Word or Google Docs. 

Examples:

For this skill, clients can give you different documents or images and you have to type it on Word or Docs. Clients or companies do need someone to type their documents in their desired format. They may have images of a specific document and want someone to type it on Word for them. They may have written documents and they may want someone to write it on MS Word. In this case, they will send you scanned documents, and you have to type it. 

2. Transcribing Images:

Another data entry skill is to read and understand different images, and type it in the client's desired format. Many clients and companies can give you the task of "transcribing images", and the term can be confusing for you. But, basically, it is reading and understanding the image, and writing the information from it into the client's desired format. Let's understand this with an example.

Examples:

A client can send you an image on which text or paragraph was present and can ask you to type it on Word. You have to type it as it is into the Word Document. In it, you can ask your client to tell you about his desired font and font size. In which font he wants you to type the image and what should be the font size. Take this information from him and then start your task. 

A client can send you different business cards images and can ask you to assemble the information from it into MS Excel. For such tasks, you should have knowledge of MS Excel too. 

3. Knowledge of MS Excel:

You should have basic knowledge of MS Excel in order to be an expert of data entry. For MS Excel, the client will tell you the name of columns and will give you documents or links from where he wants you to assemble information. You just have to name the columns and have to put the information into them. Lets give you some examples of it. 

Examples:

A client can ask you to insert information from a website into the MS Excel. He will also tell you the name of the columns he wants you to create. For example, the website can contain different quotations. The client can ask you to make a column of author name and a column of quotations. You have to make the column and have to copy paste the names of authors in it. And in front of a specific author, you can be asked to copy paste the quotation of it. 

Let's have another example. A client has asked you to enter data from business cards into MS Excel. He can give you the images of business cards, or can give you a website which contains such information. He can ask you to make a column of a person's name, company, occupation, email, fax or address. This information will be present on his provided card and document and you just have to copy paste it from there. 

These are some basic tasks which you can perform on MS Excel for your client and can earn hundreds of dollars from it. 

4. Knowledge of Online Tools:

There are a lot of online converter tools which you should have knowledge of to become expert in data entry. These tools can help you in converting one type of file into another. Some tools can save you from typing. 

Some of the tools which are best and free to use are "IlovePDF '' or ''OCR" etc. Explore different tools, learn how to use them and implement them into your project.

Do remember one thing! 

You should check your document after using the tool on them. Sometimes some tools can create errors in your document. So, do check them. 

5. Basic Research and Data Collection:

As a data entry expert, you are supposed to have strong research skills. You should know about web research and data collection. 

You can use Google, Google Maps and LinkedIn for web research. And for data collection, you can use Spreadsheet, MS Excel or Word. 

Let's understand this point with some examples.

Examples:

Suppose, a client wants you to assemble a list of top restaurants of the UK into a spreadsheet. He wants you to make a list of 50 restaurants with their locations, email addresses and other types of relevant information. Now, how will you do this task? 

You can go on Google Maps and can search for this over there. Or, you can simply Google them. 

Let's take another example. Suppose a client wants you to assemble a list of 50 dentists of Chicago. Now, what will you do? 

You will go on LinkedIn and search them over there. In LinkedIn, you will add different research filters and will find those people. In filters, you can add "People" Location: "Chicago" Industry: Health and Title: Dentist. With this, you will get the list and you can assemble it into a spreadsheet. 

Let's have another example. Your client can ask you to search on a specific topic and make presentation slides of it. For it, you will search the topic on Google and will make the slides on Google Slides. 

6. Verbal and Written Communication Skills:

You should have strong communication skills as you can be given the task of creating cold calls or emails to the target audience. You should know the art of communication and convincing other people. You should be confident and well acquainted with your client's products and company. 

As you have to write the emails, your grammar skills should be polished. You are not allowed to make any grammar mistakes as it will affect your portfolio. 

Conclusion:

These are 6 basic skills which you should have to start your career in the Data entry field. If you will polish these skills, they will be enough to make you a successful data entry freelancer. These skills can easily be practiced and polished if you will give it some practice. 

Go ahead! Learn the skills and become a successful freelancer!