Question

Personal selling is

• A. Verbal presentation
• B. Written presentation
• C. Visual presentation
• D. None of these

Hint:

Think of personal selling as a "conversation with a purpose." While it can have written and visual elements, the conversation itself is verbal, which is its defining characteristic compared to other promotional tools like advertising (non-personal) or sales promotion (incentive-based).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to define the fundamental nature of personal selling.
Step 2: Key Concept:
Personal selling is one of the elements of the promotional mix. It involves a two-way, personal communication between a salesperson and a prospective customer.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
- Personal selling is fundamentally a process of face-to-face (or direct, e.g., via video call) interaction. The core of this interaction is a conversation or dialogue. Therefore, it is primarily a verbal presentation.
- While a salesperson might use visual aids like charts, product demos, or videos (visual presentation), or provide a written proposal or brochure (written presentation), these are tools to support the main activity. The central element that defines personal selling is the live, spoken communication.
- The purpose is to persuade the customer, answer their questions, handle objections, and close the sale through direct conversation.
Step 4: Final Answer
The essence of personal selling lies in the direct, face-to-face conversation between the seller and the buyer, making it primarily a verbal presentation.