Which of the following best defines personal selling?

Personal selling is best defined as direct interaction between a buyer and seller. This approach emphasizes a personalized communication style, allowing the salesperson to respond to the specific needs, questions, and concerns of the customer in real time. This face-to-face engagement helps to build relationships, foster trust, and tailor the sales process to individual preferences, which can lead to higher conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of personal selling. Focusing solely on online transactions does not involve the personal interaction that characterizes personal selling. Sales communication initiated by a customer overlooks the proactive aspect of a salesperson's role in identifying and approaching potential customers. Lastly, describing personal selling as a mass communication strategy misrepresents its nature, as mass communication is typically broader and less personal compared to the individualized approach found in personal selling.