Overall, data entry is a vital process for organizations, and data entry professionals assist companies in managing their data more effectively and efficiently. Business owners have several options when hiring for data entry tasks. They could find an in-house employee, get a freelancer, or hire a data entry virtual assistant through managed services.
There are many benefits to hiring a data entry virtual assistant. Wondering if this solution is for you? Read on to learn more about this type of remote professional.
What Is a Data Entry Virtual Assistant?
A virtual assistant (VA) is an independent contractor who provides administrative support to clients from a remote location. Virtual assistants typically work from home, but they may also work from co-working spaces or offices if they choose. VAs specialize in many things, and one of the tasks a VA does most frequently is data entry.
A data entry virtual assistant can help an organization save time and money by reducing the amount of time required to enter data manually. Additionally, they can help to ensure that data is entered correctly, which can prevent errors and improve accuracy.
VAs are often employed by small businesses, solopreneurs, and entrepreneurs to help with a variety of tasks. Besides data entry, a VA may handle scheduling appointments, managing emails, creating and responding to customer inquiries, developing marketing content, and much more.
Why Hire a Virtual Assistant?
There are many benefits to hiring a virtual assistant. Virtual assistants can help to save time and money by taking on tasks that would otherwise be completed by an employee. Additionally, virtual assistants can help to improve work-life balance by freeing up time for business owners and professionals to focus on other priorities.
Be Efficient and Cost-Effective
Data entry VAs can help to improve efficiency and accuracy by reducing the amount of time required to enter data manually. They can also help to ensure that data is entered correctly, which can prevent errors and improve accuracy.
When you have a data entry virtual assistant, you will save time and money by letting your VA take on tasks that would otherwise be completed by an employee. Additionally, they can help to improve work-life balance by freeing up time for business owners and professionals to focus on other priorities.
Get Help with Other Tedious Tasks
Often, small businesses, solopreneurs, and entrepreneurs hire VAs to help with a variety of tasks. Besides data entry, a VA may handle scheduling appointments, managing emails, creating and responding to customer inquiries, developing marketing content, and much more.
A data entry virtual assistant can help companies keep their data organized and up-to-date. This can be especially helpful for businesses that experience high volumes of data or need to update their data frequently.
Scale Support As Needed
Speaking of high volumes, data entry virtual assistants can provide support during busy periods or when businesses are experiencing growth. They can help to take on some of the workload so that business owners and professionals can focus on other tasks.
The good thing is, you can scale support up or down as needed, especially if you’re hiring a data entry VA from a managed service provider like Wing. Since you’re essentially offloading hiring to Wing, you can add or remove VA plans as necessary.
Cut Down on Some Costs
Data entry virtual assistants can help businesses to save money on office space and equipment. VAs typically work from home or another remote location, which means that businesses do not need to provide them with an office or cubicle. Additionally, businesses do not need to purchase additional equipment, such as computers or software, for data entry virtual assistants.
Data entry virtual assistants can help businesses to save money on training and onboarding costs. VAs are experienced professionals who require little to no training before they can start working. Additionally, many VAs are familiar with a variety of software programs and applications, which can further reduce training costs.
Which Industries Need Data Entry Assistants?
Some industries handle large amounts of data, so they need someone to get that information quickly ready to be a reference or for analysis. Data entry virtual assistants would be most helpful to businesses and organizations in the following industries.
Medicine & Allied Sciences
There is a lot of data that medical professionals have to deal with daily. This includes patient medical records, insurance information, test results, and more. Data entry virtual assistants can help to organize and manage this data so that it is easily accessible when needed.
Law & Government
Lawyers often have to deal with large amounts of data, such as court documents, client files, and research materials. Data entry virtual assistants can help lawyers to keep this data organized so that it is easy to find when needed.
Meanwhile, government offices often have to deal with census data, tax records, and voter registration information. Data entry virtual assistants can help government offices ensure the accuracy of public records.
Banking & Finance
The banking and finance industry relies heavily on data. This includes customer information, transaction records, financial reports, and more. Data entry virtual assistants can help banks and financial institutions to keep this data organized and up-to-date.
Real Estate
The real estate industry also relies heavily on data. This includes property information, sales records, market research, and more. Data entry virtual assistants can help real estate companies to keep this data accessible, especially during closing transactions.
Manufacturing & E-commerce
Manufacturing businesses have to deal with production records, inventory levels, quality control reports, and more. Data entry virtual assistants can help manufacturing companies put this information in databases. That way, all the data can be on hand when decision makers are putting together their strategy for upcoming quarters.
Meanwhile, e-commerce businesses have to deal with product information, customer orders, and shipping records. Data entry virtual assistants can help e-commerce businesses keep this data all in one place, ready for accessing.
Accounting
Accounting firms often have to deal with large amounts of quantitative data, such as financial records, invoices, and client information. Data entry virtual assistants can help accounting firms to keep this data organized and accessible.
Skills of a Data Entry Virtual Assistant
If your business or organization deals with large amounts of data, you will benefit from hiring a data entry virtual assistant. Here are 7 skills that all data entry VAs should have.
Computer Skills
Data entry virtual assistants need to have strong computer skills. They should be able to type quickly and accurately. Additionally, they should be familiar with a variety of software programs and applications, such as word processing programs, spreadsheet programs, and database programs.
Organizational Skills
Data entry virtual assistants also need to have strong organizational skills. They should be able to keep track of large amounts of data and files. Additionally, they should be able to find information quickly when needed.
Communication Skills
Data entry virtual assistants also need to have strong communication skills. They will often need to communicate with clients or customers via email or over the phone. Additionally, they may need to communicate with other employees within the organization.
Teamwork
Data entry virtual assistants need to be good at collaboration in order to be successful. This means that they need to be able to work well with others. They should be able to take direction from clients or customers. Additionally, they should be able to communicate effectively with other employees within the organization.
Data entry virtual assistants also need to be good at problem-solving. This means that they should be able to troubleshoot issues that arise. Additionally, they should be able to find creative solutions to problems.
Self-motivation
Data entry virtual assistants need to be self-motivated in order to be successful. This means that they need to be able to work independently. They should be able to stay focused and motivated even when there is no one else around to provide direction. Additionally, they should be able to meet deadlines and goals even when there are no external rewards.
Following procedures
Data entry virtual assistants need to be good at following procedures in order to be successful. This means that they need to be able to follow instructions accurately. Additionally, they should be able to adhere to deadlines and guidelines.
Attention to detail
Data entry virtual assistants need to be good at paying attention to details in order to be successful. This means that they need to be able to spot errors and correct them. Additionally, they should be able to proofread documents and catch typos.
The ability to spot details is an important skill for data entry virtual assistants. This skill allows them to catch errors and to proofread documents. Additionally, this skill helps them to keep track of large amounts of data.
Typical Tasks of a Data Entry Virtual Assistant
Data entry virtual assistants typically handle a variety of tasks. Some of these tasks may include:
- Entering data into databases
- Updating records
- Creating reports
- Managing spreadsheets
- Sending emails
- Answering phone calls
- Transcribing audio
- Converting data in images into documents
- Managing databases
- Maintaining databases
How Much Does a Data Entry Virtual Assistant Cost?
Typically, when you hire a virtual assistant, you can get someone who does data entry in addition to several other tasks. This is more cost-effective than hiring an in-house assistant. It is because you can ask a VA to handle other duties.
That said, an in-house data entry clerk in the U.S. costs $14.59 per hour to hire, according to PayScale. That works out to approximately $35,000 a year. And that’s on the low scale! Another example has data entry jobs costing $45,536 per year on average. In contrast, a general virtual assistant from a company like Wing costs roughly $5.62 per hour to hire, which is $10,788 per year.
Data Entry Virtual Assistant: A Must-Have?
Overall, data entry virtual assistants can be a valuable asset to any business. They can help to keep track of large amounts of data and to ensure that it is accurate. Additionally, they can help to create reports and manage databases. They can also handle a variety of other tasks, such as answering phone calls and sending emails. If you are considering hiring a virtual assistant, be sure to consider a data entry virtual assistant.
While data entry virtual assistants can be a valuable asset to any business, they are not always a necessity. You may be able to get by with a general virtual assistant who can handle a variety of tasks, including data entry. Additionally, you may be able to find someone in-house to do data entry. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to hire a data entry virtual assistant depends on your specific needs and budget.
Get a data entry virtual assistant from Wing today! Schedule a call to learn more.
Abigail is an internationally-based writer, editor and content strategist.
