The use of data has become increasingly important for companies worldwide, leading to a rise in the outsourcing of data management tasks to professionals seeking data entry operator positions. Data entry side hustle has become a more relevant idea for people who are looking to make some extra cash.
Data entry is the process of inputting information into computer systems. This information can be in the form of text, audio, video, or images. Data entry specialists are responsible for data classification, validation, and other data manipulation techniques.
The trend of outsourcing has created opportunities for individuals who seek to earn extra income on a part-time basis. Data entry jobs are not only a means to make additional money but also a way to develop new skills, gain knowledge, and achieve financial stability.
Fortunately, there are numerous job options available for people with diverse abilities and interests, and many of these positions offer competitive compensation.
In this article, you will find detailed information about data entry, the different roles available for those who are interested in data entry positions and how to make a profit from data entry. You will also learn about the benefits of data entry as a side job and get to explore the top 10 data entry jobs.
- Microtasking and click working
- Legal data entry
- E-commerce data entry
- Transcription services
- Social media data entry
- Market research data entry
- Real estate data entry
- Accounting data entry
- Data verification specialist
- Typist
Data Entry Side Hustle Pros & Cons
Data entry is a popular option for people looking for a simple way to earn some extra money. It doesn’t typically require higher education or specialized training, which makes it an attractive option for those who want to make extra money without investing years in education. A data entry specialist, on average can earn between $5 and $20 per hour.
Pros:
- Flexibility: You can complete remote data entry jobs from anywhere in the world, making it an ideal option for those looking for a work-from-home or travel-friendly role.
- Lack of educational requirements: Many data entry positions only require basic computer skills, allowing for easy on-the-job learning to fulfil client needs.
Cons:
- Repetitiveness: Many data entry jobs involve repetitive information entry, which can be monotonous for those seeking diverse work opportunities.
- Competition: Due to the already low barrier to entry, there may be increased competition for these positions.
Although there are no strict educational requirements for many data entry roles, having data entry skills can make you a more desirable candidate for clients seeking data entry expertise.
- Attention to detail. Companies rely on data entry experts to accurately enter and verify information, requiring attention to detail.
- Fast typing speed. You must enter data both quickly and accurately when working in data entry jobs.
- Software skills. Experience with software tools like Microsoft Office and Google Docs or Google Sheets is necessary for many data entry jobs.
- Reliable internet. A reliable high-speed internet connection is vital for a work-from-home data entry job.
- Confidentiality. In certain situations, you may come across sensitive information about individuals or organizations. As a result, you may be required to sign and adhere to a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
1. Microtasking and click working
Microtasking and clickworking are small online data entry tasks that can range from entering a few lines of text (such as reading receipts and entering the data) to more significant tasks like categorizing data.
If you are looking to start performing microtasks, you need to sign up for a platform that offers them. Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and Clickworker are two popular options for remote workers who want to make money online.
To get the most out of your time on these platforms, it is important to learn what types of tasks they offer and how to complete them efficiently. For instance, MTurk has a lot of data categorization tasks. To speed up the work, you must learn the categorization process from the task requester and understand what they expect.
Clickworker, on the other hand, has many rating tasks. To maximize your earnings on the platform, you will need to read their content guidelines and understand what they require.
2. Legal data entry
Law firms heavily rely on accurate and swift data entry. They require precise information for court documents, case files, and legal research. Data entry professionals who work for law firms are responsible for entering, reviewing, and fact-checking the information utilized by law firms.
This side hustle can be rewarding for individuals who aspire to be in the legal field but haven’t taken the first steps yet. It provides exposure to the profession and allows you to contribute to cases to gain experience in the field.
Due to the crucial nature of precise information in the legal profession, you must have an eye for detail to avoid making mistakes. Lawyers rely on your information to make decisions about their cases.
You will also need to possess excellent time management skills to manage the work assigned by your clients. Many lawyers have heavy workloads with strict deadlines. Therefore, you’ll need to manage your time well to deliver your work to them on time.
Some legal data entry jobs may require knowledge in their specific fields. You may need to have prior experience before applying for those roles.
3. E-commerce data entry
Accurate data plays a vital role in the success of e-commerce stores. It helps to provide reliable information to the customers about the products they are interested in purchasing and enables the company to make informed business decisions. In this regard, data entry specialists play an essential role in assisting online store owners in various ways.
- Input product information. Data entry specialists ensure product information accuracy and create descriptions to inform customers about their purchases.
- Order management. After customers place orders, data entry specialists confirm the details and send them to the appropriate people for quick and accurate product delivery.
- Inventory management. Data entry specialists are responsible for managing inventory levels in the warehouse. They enter new orders accurately and perform audits to correct any errors.
- Email marketing management. Email marketing offers significant opportunities for e-commerce sales. Data entry specialists manage email lists, scheduling, and CRM inputs.
- Data analytics. Data entry specialists help ensure accurate data entry and analysis for informed business decisions.
This position is ideal for someone who can efficiently manage a vast amount of data for e-commerce brands, with a focus on ensuring customer satisfaction.
4. Transcription services
Transcription workers are responsible for converting spoken words, whether live or in audio files, into written text. Companies hire transcriptionists to keep track of meetings, interviews, phone calls, and other events. Transcriptionists use their skills to transcribe what they hear into accurate documents for their clients.
There are various platforms available for transcription job opportunities, including popular websites such as Scribie and Rev. These platforms cater to both beginner transcriptionists who are interested in learning the craft and experienced transcribers who are looking for more work.
If you’re new to transcription, you can start as a beginner, but you’ll need to learn quickly to produce quality work. To improve your transcribing skills and work speed, here are a few tips you can follow:
- Use good equipment. It is essential to have high-quality equipment for accurate transcription. Invest in good headphones for audio playback and hardware, such as foot pedals, to process audio files.
- Keep practicing. You can improve your transcription accuracy by practising with poor-quality audio and unfamiliar accents, in addition to crystal-clear English audio.
5. Social media data entry
The emergence of social media has revolutionized the way companies interact with their customers. Nowadays, companies engage with their audience directly on social media platforms to provide engaging and informative content and establish their online presence on external websites. As a data entry worker for social media managers, your role would involve assisting in the management of social media accounts. You would be responsible for carrying out various tasks related to the management of social media.
- Review analytics. Social media data provides insights on views, engagement, demographics and audience preferences.
- Content scheduling. Social media managers prefer not to be present at the exact time when a post needs to be published. Your role would be to create a schedule for social media posts, set them up on various platforms, and specify the time for websites to display the content.
Working with social media data entry can provide valuable experience in the field of marketing. Through this work, you can develop skills such as identifying, tracking, and scheduling marketing content, which can be applied to other jobs and fields. Additionally, with the massive growth of social media for businesses, there are now many work-from-home job opportunities related to social media management and marketing.
6. Market research data entry
Market research plays a crucial role in the success of most businesses. It helps business owners to make the right decisions about market trends and the best path forward.
Market research data provides insights into customer preferences, emerging trends, and competition. However, in order for these insights to be valuable, they must be accurate and well-organized.
If you work for a market research data entry company, your role will involve verifying the accuracy of market data and organizing it for business owners. This will entail reviewing research data, compiling survey results, and utilizing software to generate reports.
This side gig is ideal for individuals with analytical minds who enjoy working with data. It’s an opportunity to learn about different markets and gain insights into what drives their success.
7. Real estate data entry
Real estate professionals handle a large amount of data to carry out their work. They are responsible for managing property databases, updating listings, handling client information, and other related tasks. Accuracy and correctness of information in their systems are crucial for their job performance. By providing data entry services, you can assist real estate professionals in managing their workload. Here are some examples of the tasks you will handle while working in real estate.
- Property information management. Manage property information for new markets and current Realtor listings. Monitor prices, amenities, specifications, and more.
- Client details. As a real estate professional, it’s essential to keep track of buyer and seller information for your clients. This includes monitoring communication details, client preferences, and contact information.
- Market research. Gather and analyze market data to help clients understand conditions better.
8. Accounting data entry
Accountants depend on precise information to provide practical solutions to their clients. Inaccurate figures can lead to incorrect information for clients, resulting in costly mistakes.
As a data entry specialist for accounting, you will be responsible for making sure that your clients have accurate records. You will input transaction details, invoice information, payment details, and other financial information.
If you are detail-oriented and have a passion for numbers, this is an excellent opportunity for you. It offers an insight into how companies work and can provide a stable source of income once you establish yourself with an organization.
9. Data verification specialist
The accuracy of data is of utmost importance in every industry. Business owners rely on it to predict future market trends, forecast inventory demand, analyze past performance, and perform a host of other tasks. Inaccurate data can lead to very bad decisions and potentially harmful outcomes for companies.
A data verification specialist is responsible for analyzing a company’s data, identifying errors, and correcting any issues or discrepancies. As a verification specialist, it is crucial to have a keen eye for detail and be able to analyze information meticulously. You must also be able to conduct thorough research and cross-check data to ensure accuracy and rectify any errors that may arise.
Verification can take many forms. For instance, you may proofread reports for accuracy or analyze numbers on Excel spreadsheets to ensure correct calculations. The type of verification you choose depends on your skill set and the kind of work that interests you the most.
10. Typist
Many firms did not start as digital companies and used to manage their operations using pen and paper. Some of them still rely on paper for specific tasks, even if they have access to technology. However, many of these companies are now moving towards digitalization, which is where a typist can help. As a typist, your role will involve converting handwritten or scanned documents into digital documents for these organizations.
This job requires excellent typing skills, as it is less research-focused and more about speedy and accurate typing. It’s essential to have a comfortable keyboard and be able to type at a fast Words Per Minute (WPM) speed. Taking a remote work position for a typing job is beneficial as you can work from home. Companies like Sigtrack offer workers a platform to enter data remotely, and you also have the flexibility to work at your convenience. If you’re interested in taking up a side hustle as a typist, you can get started on Upwork.
Conclusion
Data entry positions can be a great option for independent contractors who want to earn some extra money on the side. Even if you don’t have much experience in data entry, you can still find opportunities as a data entry clerk.
The above list of 10 different data entry gigs shows that there are many options available, and you can choose the one that truly fits your needs best. You can browse online job boards or contact recruiters to explore the opportunities available to you.
If these options still don’t interest you, feel free to continue browsing our site until you find a side hustle that you believe you can achieve and earn some extra cash. For example, do you enjoy shopping, maybe you would enjoy making a profit from it. Happy Profiting!