Explore every episode of the podcast Automotive Alchemy
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Required Elements of A High Performance Dealership Website: Part 1 | 03 Jun 2025 | 01:09:07 | |
What does it really take to create a dealership website that performs in 2025? In this episode of Automotive Alchemy, Dealer Alchemist’s Chief Revenue Officer, John McAdams, unpacks the essential components of a high-converting digital showroom—rooted in decades of hands-on retail and e-commerce experience. Listeners will gain clear, actionable insights into what separates top-performing websites from those that simply look good. From the non-negotiables of mobile-first design to the strategic use of AI, dynamic inventory tools, and behavioral lead generation, McAdams emphasizes the importance of simplicity, speed, and user intent. He also challenges outdated design trends and discusses how dealerships can align digital marketing with real operational goals. This episode covers:
Whether you're rethinking your current site or planning a full redesign, this episode delivers practical guidance for turning website visits into revenue—backed by one of the most experienced voices in automotive digital strategy. Subscribe for more real-world insights from experts helping dealers grow smarter every day. Learn more at www.dealeralchemist.com Follow Us: www.LinkedIn.com/company/dealer-alchemist/ www.youtube.com/@dealeralchemist7330 www.facebook.com/dealeralchemist/ Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com | |||
| What Tariffs Can't Touch: Growth Moves Dealers Can Still Control | 08 May 2025 | 00:49:19 | |
While tariffs dominate the headlines and stir anxiety across the automotive industry, the best operators know that real growth comes from mastering the controllables. In this high-impact episode of Automotive Alchemy, automotive veteran and Dealer Alchemist CRO, John McAdams, brings three decades of front-line experience to the table to talk about what dealers can still control—regardless of market disruptions. With the spotlight on resilience and strategy, this episode dives deep into the profit centers that remain fully within a dealership's command: used inventory, fixed operations, and website conversion. The conversation covers tactical insights into sourcing vehicles smarter and faster, improving service retention, preventing customer defection, and converting more of the traffic dealerships are already earning—organically and through paid efforts. Beyond best practices, the episode also delivers perspective. John discusses the dealer sentiment he's hearing on the ground—fatigue, frustration, and determination—and offers grounded advice on how to stay focused, sharpen your operations, and avoid overreacting when the industry throws its next punch. Whether you're trying to adapt your go-to-market strategy or just need a reminder of what really drives sustainable growth, this episode is packed with clarity, confidence, and dealer-tested wisdom. Because when chaos is loud, control becomes your competitive edge. Subscribe for more real-world insights from experts helping dealers grow smarter every day. Learn more at www.dealeralchemist.com Follow Us: www.LinkedIn.com/company/dealer-alchemist/ www.youtube.com/@dealeralchemist7330 www.facebook.com/dealeralchemist/ Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com | |||
| The Reputation Economy: Why Online Reviews Matter More Than Ever | 16 Apr 2025 | 00:39:03 | |
In this episode of Automotive Alchemy, John McAdams, Chief Revenue Officer at Dealer Alchemist and a 30-year automotive industry veteran, dives into one of the most powerful (and often overlooked) drivers of consumer behavior—online reviews. Whether you’re a single-point store or a publicly traded dealer group, your online reputation is no longer a side note—it’s a make-or-break factor in dealership growth. John shares practical, battle-tested insights from both retail and vendor perspectives, including:
If your online reputation feels more dumpster fire than five-star, this episode offers a clear starting point and a strategic path forward. With John’s sharp advice and deep experience, you’ll walk away with actionable ideas to turn customer reviews into a true growth engine for your dealership. Subscribe for more real-world insights from experts helping dealers grow smarter every day. Learn more at www.dealeralchemist.com Follow Us: www.LinkedIn.com/company/dealer-alchemist/ www.youtube.com/@dealeralchemist7330 www.facebook.com/dealeralchemist/ Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com | |||
| From Dealer to Vendor and Back: Lessons in Website Conversion & Growth | 12 Mar 2025 | 01:04:40 | |
The evolution of dealership websites has reshaped automotive retail, yet one fundamental truth remains—conversion is the key to success. In this episode of Automotive Alchemy, John McAdams, Chief Revenue Officer at Dealer Alchemist, brings decades of experience from both the dealership and vendor sides to break down the state of dealer websites, digital strategies, and the critical factors that drive real results. John shares his journey from running dealership operations—including turning around struggling stores—to leading digital strategies that fuel sustainable growth. He dives into the biggest mistakes dealers make with their websites, why conversion rates are often ignored, and how to leverage technology to create a competitive edge. The conversation covers everything from the role of AI in marketing to the importance of balancing fixed and variable operations in a dealership’s growth strategy. If you're looking for unfiltered insights on website performance, lead generation, and the future of automotive digital retailing, this episode delivers. Whether you're a dealer principal, GM, or marketing professional, you’ll walk away with actionable takeaways to optimize your dealership’s online presence and drive measurable success. Subscribe for more real-world insights from experts helping dealers grow smarter every day. Learn more at www.dealeralchemist.com Follow Us: www.LinkedIn.com/company/dealer-alchemist/ www.youtube.com/@dealeralchemist7330 www.facebook.com/dealeralchemist/ Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com | |||
| 2024 In The Rearview: A Recap of Last Year & What To Expect In 2025 | 14 Jan 2025 | 01:08:08 | |
Dealer Alchemist leadership reflects on 2024’s lessons, emphasizing transparency and digital marketing as keys to success. They discuss essential strategies for navigating the upcoming year, urging dealers to maintain a clean online presence and embrace innovation while managing expectations. Subscribe for more real-world insights from experts helping dealers grow smarter every day. Learn more at www.dealeralchemist.com Follow Us: www.LinkedIn.com/company/dealer-alchemist/ www.youtube.com/@dealeralchemist7330 www.facebook.com/dealeralchemist/ Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com | |||
| Dissecting Dealership Websites Part 2: New and Used Inventory | 11 Dec 2024 | 00:49:55 | |
In this episode of Automotive Alchemy, we’re joined by Shean Kirin, the visionary founder of Dealer Alchemist, to uncover the strategies that can revolutionize your dealership’s online presence. Together, we tackle the art of optimizing new and used inventory pages, emphasizing how a seamless user experience and smart design can drive higher conversion rates and customer satisfaction. Shean shares practical insights into creating intuitive, mobile-first websites inspired by tech leaders like Apple and Tesla. We explore six essential steps to refine inventory pages, from understanding your audience and streamlining navigation to implementing transparent pricing and leveraging tools like Penny Perfect Payments to build trust. Discover how simplifying digital retailing processes and strategic button placement can transform customer interactions into meaningful relationships. Whether it’s ensuring your website performs flawlessly across devices or enhancing lead generation with transparent communication, this episode provides a blueprint for dealership success in the digital age. Tune in to Automotive Alchemy for actionable advice and strategies to take your dealership’s digital performance to the next level. Don’t miss this deep dive into the power of optimized websites and the future of online automotive sales! Subscribe for more real-world insights from experts helping dealers grow smarter every day. Learn more at www.dealeralchemist.com Follow Us: www.LinkedIn.com/company/dealer-alchemist/ www.youtube.com/@dealeralchemist7330 www.facebook.com/dealeralchemist/ Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com | |||
| Dissecting Dealership Websites Part 1: Home and About Us | 24 Oct 2024 | 01:09:09 | |
Unlock the secrets to transforming your car dealership's online presence with insights from Shean Kirin, founder and CEO of Dealer Alchemist. In this episode, Shean shares how understanding your target audience is crucial to optimizing your website for maximum conversion. Discover the power of a streamlined, minimalistic design, and learn why cluttered web pages can deter potential customers. Shean seamlessly ties these concepts to the design philosophies of leading companies, providing actionable strategies to help you craft a user-friendly and engaging online experience. Subscribe for more real-world insights from experts helping dealers grow smarter every day. Learn more at www.dealeralchemist.com Follow Us: www.LinkedIn.com/company/dealer-alchemist/ www.youtube.com/@dealeralchemist7330 www.facebook.com/dealeralchemist/ Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com | |||
| Avoid The Vanity Trap: Essential Metrics For Boosting Dealership Performance | 27 Sep 2024 | 01:08:18 | |
Are vanity metrics misleading your dealership's marketing efforts? Shean Kirin joins us to reveal how focusing on superficial metrics like website visitors and social media likes can hinder true performance in automotive marketing. In this episode, you'll learn how to shift your focus to actionable metrics that directly impact your bottom line, such as lot visits and phone calls. We share real-world examples, including a Toyota dealership's misallocated advertising budget, to illustrate how meaningful metrics can lead to better decision-making and improved vendor relationships. Subscribe for more real-world insights from experts helping dealers grow smarter every day. Learn more at www.dealeralchemist.com Follow Us: www.LinkedIn.com/company/dealer-alchemist/ www.youtube.com/@dealeralchemist7330 www.facebook.com/dealeralchemist/ Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com | |||
| Is Transparency The Key To Success In Automotive Digital Advertising? | 09 Sep 2024 | 01:05:24 | |
Explore strategies for maximizing your ROI in automotive digital marketing with industry veteran Shean Kirin on the Automotive Alchemy Podcast. With over 30 years of experience, Shean brings valuable insights into how transparency can transform dealer-vendor relationships. He shares real-life examples of dealerships being taken advantage of by advertising agencies and emphasizes the critical importance of verifying every dollar spent. Understand how clear, open communication can help prevent financial losses while fostering innovation and trust within the industry. In this episode, we discuss ethical practices that ensure dealers and vendors work together with transparency. Shean explains why it's crucial for dealers to fully grasp the services they receive, allowing them to contribute innovative ideas and critically assess how their advertising dollars are being utilized. We tackle the issues of fear mongering and deliberate confusion by some companies, advocating for clear, straightforward communication that builds long-term, trust-based relationships. From balancing transparency with proprietary technology to the ethical considerations of referral fees, this episode covers a wide range of topics. Shean shares compelling stories about how transparent advertising practices can build consumer trust, drawing comparisons with industry leaders like Tesla. We also explore the upcoming "cars rule" that mandates transparency and the importance of ensuring advertised prices match the actual offerings. Gain actionable insights on how to use transparency to enhance your digital marketing strategies, creating mutually beneficial outcomes for both dealers and customers. Subscribe for more real-world insights from experts helping dealers grow smarter every day. Learn more at www.dealeralchemist.com Follow Us: www.LinkedIn.com/company/dealer-alchemist/ www.youtube.com/@dealeralchemist7330 www.facebook.com/dealeralchemist/ Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com | |||
| Cracking the Conversion Code: Essential Strategies for Boosting Car Dealership Sales | 31 Jul 2024 | 00:53:53 | |
Ever wondered why your dealership's digital marketing campaigns aren't driving the sales you expected? In this episode of Automotive Alchemy, Shean Kirin reveals the secrets behind the conversion metrics that truly matter for car dealerships. Forget superficial metrics like clicks on directions; Shean breaks down the vital indicators such as leads, phone calls, and form fills that pave the way to real sales. Listen in as he exposes the importance of holding your service providers accountable and decoding analytics to track actual sales conversions, ensuring your advertising dollars are well spent. Imagine a dealership website that's not just sleek but also a conversion powerhouse. Shean discusses how simplifying the user interface, enhancing site speed, and selecting the right button types can transform your website's performance. Learn why excessive third-party scripts and intrusive pop-ups could be killing your conversion rates and how targeted social advertising can enhance consumer engagement. With these strategies, you can optimize your site for a user-friendly experience that leads to better sales performance. Ready to stay ahead of the curve in automotive digital marketing? Shean touches on the future trends like cookie management and native digital retailing, and how innovations like penny-perfect payment systems are setting new standards. He also shares insights into SEO's evolving landscape, emphasizing the need for technical optimization and high-quality content. Discover how leveraging data analytics to personalize user journeys can significantly boost mobile conversions. Join us as we turn automotive challenges into golden opportunities with a glimpse into the future of digital marketing and dealership success. Subscribe for more real-world insights from experts helping dealers grow smarter every day. Learn more at www.dealeralchemist.com Follow Us: www.LinkedIn.com/company/dealer-alchemist/ www.youtube.com/@dealeralchemist7330 www.facebook.com/dealeralchemist/ Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com | |||
| Automotive CTV: What Every Car Dealer Should Immediately Add To Their Marketing Plan | 07 Jun 2024 | 00:49:17 | |
What if you could revolutionize your automotive advertising strategy and leave your competitors in the dust? Jeff Clark from Dealer Alchemist joins us to explore the seismic shift from traditional linear TV to Connected TV (CTV) and Over-The-Top (OTT) media. Discover how media consumption patterns in 2023 have evolved, with streaming becoming the dominant force, and how devices like Fire TV and Roku are now household staples. We dive into the transformative impact these changes have on targeting potential car buyers, providing a more cost-effective and precise advertising method. Subscribe for more real-world insights from experts helping dealers grow smarter every day. Learn more at www.dealeralchemist.com Follow Us: www.LinkedIn.com/company/dealer-alchemist/ www.youtube.com/@dealeralchemist7330 www.facebook.com/dealeralchemist/ Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com | |||
| Automotive OTT: Navigating New Roads In Car Dealership Marketing | 15 Apr 2024 | 01:09:18 | |
Get on the road to revolutionizing automotive dealership advertising with Jeff Clark of Dealer Alchemist, who joins the podcast to explore the merging lanes of OTT media and car sales. Get ready to unlock the secrets of harnessing streaming platforms and Connected TV for precise, effective marketing strategies that resonate with today's 'cord cutters.' Jeff brings his seasoned perspective to the table, highlighting the importance of personalized messaging and the potential for targeted ads to drive actual sales over traditional vanity metrics like CPM. Subscribe for more real-world insights from experts helping dealers grow smarter every day. Learn more at www.dealeralchemist.com Follow Us: www.LinkedIn.com/company/dealer-alchemist/ www.youtube.com/@dealeralchemist7330 www.facebook.com/dealeralchemist/ Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com | |||
| Car Dealer Marketing Street Fight: Traditional vs. Digital vs. Third-Parties | 05 Feb 2024 | 01:16:57 | |
Discover keys to revolutionizing your dealership's advertising strategy as Shean Kirin peels back the layers of marketing success. Our latest episode packs a punch with critical insights on when to cut ties with traditional advertising and how to embrace a data-centric digital approach. The automotive industry is changing, and so must our tactics. We'll show you why betting big on your own website and analytics can drive your sales further than any third-party platform. Subscribe for more real-world insights from experts helping dealers grow smarter every day. Learn more at www.dealeralchemist.com Follow Us: www.LinkedIn.com/company/dealer-alchemist/ www.youtube.com/@dealeralchemist7330 www.facebook.com/dealeralchemist/ Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com | |||
| Navigating the GA4 Maze: Essential Insights for Car Dealerships on Analytics and Conversion Tracking | 23 Jan 2024 | 01:07:01 | |
Embark on a journey through the GA4 maze as Shean Kirin, the dealer alchemist himself, sheds light on the transformative power of Google Analytics 4 for car dealerships. This episode dives into the intricacies of GA4, from setting up to dissecting conversion tracking, ensuring your dealership harnesses the true potential of data-driven decisions. As the automotive industry faces the seismic shift from Universal Analytics to GA4, we provide a compass to help you focus on the conversions that truly matter, from phone calls to form fills, and explain why the partnership and transparency in advertising are more critical than ever. Subscribe for more real-world insights from experts helping dealers grow smarter every day. Learn more at www.dealeralchemist.com Follow Us: www.LinkedIn.com/company/dealer-alchemist/ www.youtube.com/@dealeralchemist7330 www.facebook.com/dealeralchemist/ Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com | |||
| Maximizing ROI: 5 Focus Areas To Help Car Dealers Improve Digital Advertising Results | 12 Dec 2023 | 01:44:06 | |
Can you imagine a world in which your dealership’s digital advertising efforts are not only effective but also drive significant ROI? Operating in this digital era, it's crucial to understand and evaluate the various aspects and metrics involved in digital advertising. Join us, as we take a deep dive into the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing. Premier Dealer Alchemist, Shean Kirin will guide you on how to effectively allocate your ad budget, the role engagement time plays in your analytics, and why transparency and accountability are integral components of your dealership's advertising success. Subscribe for more real-world insights from experts helping dealers grow smarter every day. Learn more at www.dealeralchemist.com Follow Us: www.LinkedIn.com/company/dealer-alchemist/ www.youtube.com/@dealeralchemist7330 www.facebook.com/dealeralchemist/ Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com | |||
| The Impact of Performance Max on Vehicle Listing Ads: Insights and Strategies for Car Dealers | 07 Nov 2023 | 01:08:39 | |
Ever feel like you're losing money on digital advertising for your dealership? Stop the leaks and harness the power of Google's vehicle ads when you tune into this episode of Automotive Alchemy. We're peeling back the layers on this high-converting digital ad type, uncovering the complexities, and laying out the opportunities to increase your ROI. Subscribe for more real-world insights from experts helping dealers grow smarter every day. Learn more at www.dealeralchemist.com Follow Us: www.LinkedIn.com/company/dealer-alchemist/ www.youtube.com/@dealeralchemist7330 www.facebook.com/dealeralchemist/ Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com | |||
| Avoiding Pitfalls & Maximizing ROI: Successful Google Ads Strategies For Car Dealers | 06 Sep 2023 | 01:27:10 | |
In this episode of "Automotive Alchemy," Shaun and Shean discuss the importance of Google Ads and paid search for automotive dealers. They delve into different ad types, including traditional search, display, video, vehicle listing ads and performance max. Pay attention to the discussion around vehicle listing ads in particular as this is a very important ad type for dealers. The conversation also covers the significance of transparency, understanding ad metrics, optimizing campaigns, and staying up-to-date with market trends. Overall, the episode emphasizes the need for dealers to utilize the right ad types and strategies to effectively sell cars in today's digital landscape. Subscribe for more real-world insights from experts helping dealers grow smarter every day. Learn more at www.dealeralchemist.com Follow Us: www.LinkedIn.com/company/dealer-alchemist/ www.youtube.com/@dealeralchemist7330 www.facebook.com/dealeralchemist/ Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com | |||
| The GA4 Countdown: Understanding, Preparing and Thriving In The New Era of Analytics | 09 Aug 2023 | 00:27:39 | |
On this episode of Automotive Alchemy, Lisa Gener and Andrew Nave discuss the recently activated Google Analytics 4 (GA4). Some automotive dealers prepared for this change, but many did not. Lisa and Andrew answer some critically important questions and share insights to help dealers catch up if needed and prepare to thrive in the new era of analytics. Subscribe for more real-world insights from experts helping dealers grow smarter every day. Learn more at www.dealeralchemist.com Follow Us: www.LinkedIn.com/company/dealer-alchemist/ www.youtube.com/@dealeralchemist7330 www.facebook.com/dealeralchemist/ Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com | |||