The selling of a product on a one-to-one basis is called which?

• A. Public relations
• B. Personal selling
• C. Advertising
• D. Telemarketing

Answer: (B)

Direct, one-to-one selling involves a salesperson engaging an individual customer to understand needs, present a tailored solution, address objections, and guide them toward a purchase. This approach is known as personal selling, because it relies on direct, two-way communication and relationship-building with a specific buyer. While it can happen face-to-face, it can also occur over the phone or via video, as long as the interaction is personalized and focused on closing a sale.

Advertising, by contrast, uses broad messages aimed at many people rather than addressing a single customer’s needs. Public relations centers on shaping the organization’s image and managing relationships with the public rather than driving a purchase in a one-to-one encounter. Telemarketing is a method used within personal selling—reaching individuals by phone—but the overarching activity described here is personal selling.