What would attract you to a corporate faction?

[Magoo!]

-the chance of escorts?
-convoys?
-events?
-a higher level of RP?
-contributing your profits to a bank and getting a salary so you could ship food and oxygen for a profit as long as there's still some valuable runs being done?
-company stock options?
-starting funds or even being given a set-up ship to trade in?
-just having a tag in front of your name?

Em... None of the above. I usually join for one of two reasons.
1: Its not taking off, so I decide I might give it a kick start.
2: It looks like a cool idea.

I generally only stay if,
I click with the people in it. I don't want to spend endless hours awkwardly spouting off RP small talk.
"So how's Leeds going for you...?"
"Good."
"Cool..."
"What about you?"
"Oh, you know, I earn my keep..."
"Awesome..."
"Oh look, a Kusari ship!"

yeah the zoners/smugglers in this thread have identified the fact that jumphole trading makes way more money, is much safer, and requires less effort (both mental/roleplay and physical clicking/checking/running from pirates). While that continues to be the case, corps will continue to be a niche thing.

Fall on a sharp stick, please.