An expertly crafted marketing plan is crucial for success, but online reviews can make or break it, with 86% of customers citing them as a key factor in choosing a company. Reviews drive conversions, boost SEO, and build trust, making them an essential part of any marketing strategy. To get more bang for your buck, consider implementing the firehose technique, where automated emails or text messages are sent to customers after their purchase, asking for reviews. Having employees ask for reviews personally can also be effective, as 21% of customers were willing to leave a review in this scenario. Additionally, monitoring and pushing reviews to platforms that need them most can help maintain a high score and consistent product ratings. Ultimately, having a worthy product or service is just the starting point; investing time, research, and money into online reviews can make all the difference.