Which of the following is a primary method of communication used in prospecting?

Cold-calling is a primary method of communication used in prospecting because it allows real estate professionals to directly reach potential clients and establish a personal connection. This technique involves contacting individuals by phone to introduce one's services, gauge interest, and potentially set appointments. It enables immediate interaction, allowing agents to address questions and concerns right away, thus facilitating a more personal touch in the prospecting process.

The effectiveness of cold-calling lies in its ability to create a dialogue rather than just disseminate information, as seen in other methods. While email marketing and aggressive advertising are also tools for prospecting, they generally tend to be less personal and can often result in lower engagement rates compared to direct, verbal communication. Inactive social networking, on the other hand, reflects a lack of engagement and outreach and does not serve as an effective method for prospecting since it fails to initiate conversations with potential clients.