Marketing basics
What to Write on a Shop Poster: 12 Wording Formulas
A shop poster is read in about three seconds on a phone. In that time a customer must understand what’s on offer, why now, and how to get it. Pretty design helps; the words decide.
The five-line skeleton
- Hook, the greeting or the occasion (“Happy Diwali”, “New stock”).
- Offer, one offer, with a number (“Flat 20% OFF on kurtis”).
- Condition, the deadline or limit (“Till 8 November”).
- Shop name, big.
- How to act, phone/WhatsApp and a landmark.
Our poster makers use exactly these slots.
12 formulas
| Formula | Example | Hindi |
|---|---|---|
| Flat discount | Flat 20% OFF on all kurtis | सभी कुर्तियों पर फ़्लैट 20% छूट |
| Price point | Facial at just ₹499 | फ़ेशियल सिर्फ़ ₹499 में |
| Combo | Cover + glass at ₹299 | कवर + ग्लास सिर्फ़ ₹299 |
| Buy X Get Y | Buy 2, get 1 free | 2 ख़रीदें, 1 फ़्री |
| Free gift above | Free gift on bills above ₹1,999 | ₹1,999 से ऊपर की ख़रीद पर गिफ़्ट |
| Deadline | Last 3 days | सिर्फ़ 3 दिन बाक़ी |
| New stock | New festive collection has arrived | नया फ़ेस्टिव कलेक्शन आ गया है |
| Booking | Book your Karwa Chauth mehendi slot | करवा चौथ मेहंदी का स्लॉट बुक करें |
| Service promise | Screen replaced in 1 hour | 1 घंटे में स्क्रीन बदलें |
| Delivery | Send your list on WhatsApp, free delivery | WhatsApp पर लिस्ट भेजें, फ़्री डिलीवरी |
| Opening | Grand opening Sunday, 15% off all day | रविवार को उद्घाटन, पूरे दिन 15% छूट |
| Trust | Serving Main Bazaar since 1998 | 1998 से मेन बाज़ार की सेवा में |
Rules that save you trouble
- “Up to 50%” must be real for some items.
- Write the date, not “limited period”.
- One offer per poster. Make two posters for two offers.
- No claims you can’t prove, “best in city”, “guaranteed results”, “100% pure”.
- Trade rules apply: RERA numbers on property ads, no medicine claims for pharmacies, no national flag on business posters. Each business poster page lists its rules.
Test it
Post two versions on WhatsApp Status on two days. Count the replies. Keep the winner.
Choosing a poster app? Read the best festival poster apps in India comparison and the list of Brands.live alternatives. Trade-specific wording: real estate · restaurants · tuition.