The advances in Internet technology continue to blur the already thin gap between the real world and the online world. Although this could be quite beneficial for certain aspects of a business or profession, there may be some negative consequences for one’s online reputation should he or she forget to distinguish the difference between these two worlds.

There are several examples that can be used to point this out. Professionals such as journalists who are expected to maintain unbiased positions during political elections may fall prey to voicing out their own political opinions in social media sites or forums to the chagrin of readers. This could only lead to one inevitable result – damage to his personal and internet reputation.

What a person or organization does or expresses online would clearly reflect in their real-world reputation, either positively or negatively, and potential damages done can be irreparable should no immediate and effective reputation management work is performed to address these issues. The key thing here is for professionals and organizations to guard what they write or express online and continuously monitor what other people are saying about them as well.