Data Entry Job Ideas for Freelancers in Africa

What is Data Entry?

Data entry is a broad term that comprises the work done by several occupational categories. The individuals who perform routine data entry tasks include electronic data processors, typists, word processors, transcribers, coders, and clerks. The data entry tasks carried out by these people is often remotely; either from home or at the office.

What are the key features of Data Entry Jobs?

The key highlights with data entry jobs for freelancers in Africa include the following:

• The main categories for data entry tasks comprise electronic data processors, typists as well as coders, among others.
• Many data entry jobs in the US and across the globe require minimum qualifications like a high school diploma, excellent typing skills and a proficient understanding of written and spoken English.
• The data entry agent inputs alphabetic, numeric and symbolic bits of information into a system.
  Additional responsibilities for the data entry professional may cover editing/vetting data before entry.

Data entry is not an entirely new field. This career path has existed for almost as long as the computer. The trend nowadays is that many businesses outsource certain non-core (clerical) operations. Also, the rise of the gig economy means that people are available (often remotely) to engage in data entry (keylogging) tasks at affordable rates.

For Freelancers in Africa, the following data entry job ideas are the right places to start:

Plain data entry job ideas

Everyday data entry jobs are some of the most common varieties of this growing online gig. The task mainly involves typing words onto an MS Word file. The critical skills needed, including a good typing speed as well as a good command of written and spoken English. The information transferred to the word document could come from a PDF File or an audio file.

Data entry covering basic typing

In this category, the African Freelancer typically works with Excel spreadsheets. The work entails filling individual cells with data. The Freelancer may or may not have to deal with inputting formulas and other technical data. Essential considerations for this kind of data entry work will include speed and accuracy.

Data entry Typist/Word Processor

This category is open to African freelancers with a good knowledge of basic/advanced computer processes. The job description will cover creating letters, generating reports, posting labels, among other high-end tasks. The Freelancer will also tackle responsibilities like creating charts, graphs and tables. The basic requirements are a good command of both spoken and written English.

Since this kind of freelance gig is business-specific, the Freelancer may undergo some training.

Data Cleaning jobs

Data Cleaning(also referred to as cleansing or scrubbing) entails the freelancer detecting and deleting unwanted or erroneous data from a database. The database may be in the form of a Word file or an Excel spreadsheet.

Form Filling on online platforms

This data entry idea is another veritable option for the African Freelancer. In this category, freelancers will work with an online form and a vast storehouse of data. The work entails entering specific values from the database into the corresponding field on the online form. This data entry form requires utmost concentration and accuracy in order not to place data values in the wrong area (s).

Data entry for Online Surveys

In this field, the African Freelancer helps businesses/companies fill up online survey forms, with the answers provided by existing/potential customers. The job requirements will include having an internet-enabled device as well as an eye for details.

Captcha Entry tasks

This field is a new form of data entry tasks that is gaining ground in the gig economy. Captchas are a level of security authentication that comprises images with texts, numbers or alphanumeric data. The African Freelancer will be saddled with the task of solving hundreds of captchas daily.

Data entry based on Captioning

African freelancers, with a good command of written/spoken English, may turn to Data Captioning. This task involves creating headings and captions for news headline or an image. Data Captionists are required in the news/media industry.

Image to Text Data Conversion

Converting files from one to another is another field in the data entry industry. The typical image to text data conversion will involve working with models/screenshots containing written paragraphs. The African Freelancer is expected to translate the information from the photos and input such as a Word document. This data entry field is predominant in the medical profession.

Audio to Text Conversion

African freelancers can explore data entry entailing audio to text conversion. The task involves listening to an audio recording and reproducing the conversations into a text format. An essential requirement for being successful in this field is having great listening and writing skills.

Email processing

Email processing is one of the more popular variants of data entry jobs available today. The African Freelancer will be responsible for handling hundreds of emails daily. The objective is categorizing and inputting relevant information in an Excel Spreadsheet.

Web-based data entry systems

Web-based data entry systems involve inputting data from different product catalogues into an online database. The African Freelancer saddled with this responsibility may tackle issues relating to legal departments or insurance claims. He or she will translate such demands into a word document or excel spreadsheet.

Other important tips and information

Data entry job ideas for freelancers in Africa should centre on an understanding of the essential requirement for the job. The African Freelancer should have good knowledge of the following aspects:

1. Some basic software knowledge- The African Freelancer should have some understanding of software applications such as Microsoft Word and database processors, among others. It is needless to state that a computer is an essential tool of the trade.
2. Communication Skills- As a data entry specialist, the African Freelancer will engage in constant communication with clients and other team members.
3. Typing skills/speed- Some data entry tasks require that the African data entry freelancer is proficient at typing at standard rates, within specified accuracy thresholds.