Data Entry Job at Home

By Eric Cheah 

Tired of reporting to work? Sick of the jam during rush hour? Want to start your own work at home business? Working from home or operating an online business at home are becoming the norm nowadays. Many can choose to start their own small business at home this way. You can be your own boss this way. This can be a very rewarding career.
Setting a neat and clean SOHO (Small Office Home Office) can greatly enhance your productivity and success in your data entry jobs. This article will become your basic checklist in starting your data entry work. These tools will be very important to you.
1. Computer or laptop. This piece of machine will be your main equipment in helping you to make money. Your work will be slowed down if you are sharing your machine. Your machine's minimum specifications should have:
at least 512MB of memory
an optical drive (CD or DVD ROM/Writer)
antivirus and malware protection software installed
Microsoft XP or any easy to use operating system
Microsoft Office (OpenOffice is an alternative as it's free)
High speed internet connection
2. Business website. Having a website will increase your jobs. Let people know what you do and what can you do. This will be a low cost advertisement for you. In your website, try to add in credentials from your previous clients. This will add credibility and trust to you.
3. An all-in-one multipurpose printer (AIO). This all-in-one multipurpose machine will let you print, scan, copy and also fax. Some comes with wireless connection that lets you connect to your router.
4. Apply a cell phone or landline to handle all your data entry business calls. You don't want people calling you when you are off work do you?
5. Invest in a good Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. This software coupled with your AIO will save you a lot of work. This software will translate all your hand written, typed or printed materials into editable text. You will save a lot of time by scanning your hand written document into this software by editing it using a word processor.
6. File organizing by using a file cabinet. By having a filing cabinet, you will be able to file your printed documents and retrieve them easily upon client's request. You can do this by either purchasing a physical filing cabinet or file everything into soft copy into your electronic filing cabinet (thumb drives, memory medias or hard disk drives). Both have their pros and cons. You will have to see which is more suitable for you.
7. Form processing software is optional but recommended as it will increase your data entry job prospects. Working as a freelance home agent, having this software is a bonus although this tool may be provided by many data entry companies.
8. Book keeping software is a must in order to keep track of your business expenditure, profits and taxes.
9. Keep a stack of business cards. It represents who and what you do. It will be easier for you to network for jobs.
All those mentioned above are essential tools to your success in starting a data entry business at home. Besides having those tools, you need to have discipline and the right attitude when you are operating on your own. This will ensure you will reach your road to success. Happy working from home!

Eric Cheah is an Entrepreneur who owns and manages a few small businesses that he has started both online and offline. Who's passions including helping people, travel, good food, photography and mobile gadgets.
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