Which of the following is a characteristic of personal selling?

In the context of personal selling, the key characteristic is direct interaction with customers. Personal selling involves face-to-face communication where sales representatives engage personally with potential buyers to understand their needs, address their concerns, and build relationships. This one-on-one interaction allows salespeople to tailor their messages and offerings specifically to individual customers, enhancing the opportunity for making a sale.

Personal selling contrasts with mass communication methods like advertising, where messages are delivered to a broad audience without personalized engagement. This personalized approach is critical for complex sales processes, where understanding customer needs is essential for closing deals effectively. The ability to adapt and respond to customers in real-time makes direct interaction a defining feature of successful personal selling strategies.