1. How has Groupon effectively used personal selling, advertising, and public relations to market its products and services?
2. Is there a difference in how Groupon markets itself to consumers versus how it markets itself to businesses? If so, describe these differences.
3. Groupon had to adapt the personal selling component of the promotion mix. Why is it sometimes necessary for businesses to adapt the promotion mix?

Groupon partners with businesses to offer subscribers daily deals. Groupon deals are similar to coupons, but with one major catch. A certain number of people (a group) must agree to purchase the deal. If enough people purchase, then the deal becomes available to everyone. If not enough people purchase, then no one receives that particular deal.

When it first started promoting Groupon deals, the company used social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. Word-of-mouth marketing has been proven to be one of the most effective and trusted forms of promotion. Groupon engages heavily in public relations to make its name known among companies. Personal selling is also very important to Groupon’s promotion mix. Groupon’s sales force uses phone calls and e-mails to contact businesses in the major cities in which it does business. Because it wants to offer the best deals, Groupon will generate leads by looking at review websites such as Yelp and Citysearch. Groupon’s ability to master different forms of promotion has contributed to its success as a company.