15 Don Draper quotes that act as great copywriting advice.
Posted by James, 11 June 2021 (2 minute read)
Don Draper is perhaps the most famous fictional copywriter of them all. Appearing in the critically-acclaimed television series Mad Men for all seven of its seasons, he often talked about advertising and the way words sell.
So I thought I’d collect together 15 Don Draper quotes that act as great copywriting advice. And don’t worry, you’ll find no spoilers here!
1. “The day you sign a client is the day you start losing one.”
2. “If you don’t like what’s being said, change the conversation.”
3. “People want to be told what to do so badly that they’ll listen to anyone.”
4. “Even though success is a reality, its effects are temporary.”
5. “You are the product. You feeling something. That’s what sells.”
6. “Make it simple, but significant.”
7. “Nostalgia: it’s delicate, but potent… In Greek, nostalgia literally means the pain from an old wound. It’s a twinge in your heart far more powerful than memory alone.”
8. “Spend 50% of your time writing your headline.”
9. “Advertising is based on one thing: Happiness. And you know what happiness is? Happiness is the smell of a new car. It’s freedom from fear. It’s a billboard on the side of the road that screams reassurance that whatever you are doing is okay. You are okay.”
10. “People tell you who they are, but we ignore it because we want them to be who we want them to be.”
11. “What is happiness? It’s a moment before you need more happiness.”
12. “It’s useless to be a creative unless you can sell what you create.”
13. “What you call love was invented by people like me … to sell nylons.”
14. “You’ll tell them the next thing will be better because it always is.”
15. “We’re going to sit at our desks and keep typing while the walls fall down around us because we’re creative – the least important, most important thing there is.”
Do you have a favourite? Are there any other great Don Draper quotes that I’ve missed? Comment below or tell me on Twitter (@JWCopywriting).
And if you need a copywriter for your business, get in touch and let’s start working together today. Take a look at what I offer and then contact me here – I aim to respond within 24 hours.
I’m taking a break for the rest of June to get married! So I’ll be back in four weeks with a post all about TV’s Golden Age, the shows that made it and why it was such a spectacular era for the small screen.
Until then,
JW