The Reputation Economy: Why Online Reviews Matter More Than Ever Automotive Alchemy podcast

The Reputation Economy: Why Online Reviews Matter More Than Ever

17d ago 39:03

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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:

Why reviews now rival personal recommendations in consumer trust.
How a few bad reviews (or a lack of new ones) can derail sales and service retention.
The Four Seasons approach to responding to feedback—what to say, what NOT to say, and how to elevate every customer touchpoint.
The three metrics every dealer should track: response rate, review growth rate, and sentiment analysis.
How AI is helping (and sometimes hurting) reputation efforts.
Why Fixed Ops is your biggest untapped opportunity for positive reviews.

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

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Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com

Chapters

1. The Power of Online Reviews (00:00:00)

2. How Reviews Impact Purchase Decisions (00:06:07)

3. Managing Positive and Negative Feedback (00:09:54)

4. The Four Seasons Approach to Responses (00:19:35)

5. Future Trends and AI in Reputation Management (00:27:18)

6. Key Metrics and Fixed Ops Opportunities (00:32:22)

16 episodes