This week we look at how:
- Social proof can influence customer buying decisions
- Reciprocity affects buying decisions
- Demand curves can help you target customers
- LLCs can only select six characteristics of a corporation
- There are three options to business ownership
- Lenders use three levers to control risk and reward

Most consumers are lazy. Rather than do their own research, many consumers look to see what others have said about a product or service before making a decision to buy. This concept is known as Social Proof, and every small business owner should provide social proof to help a prospect make buying decisions.

When you give something to another person, it creates a desire in the person to repay the favor in some way. This is known as Reciprocity, and it is a powerful force for small business salespeople to understand and master.

Every product on the market has a predictable age cohort that is most likely to buy them. The study of associating the age of the consumer with a product category is known as Demand Curves. Businesses need to become aware of a product’s demand curve to properly target their marketing.

There are six characteristics that define a corporation:
- Associates,
- Dividing Gains
- Limited Liability
- Centralized Management
- Free Transferability of Interest
- Continuity of Life
However, if you are an LLC, you can only pick four.

There are three options for an entrepreneur to get into business:
- Buy an Existing Business
- Buy into a Franchise Concept
- Start from Scratch.
Each option along the continuum adds additional risk to the company’s likely success.