My love for Dolly Parton started with a love for my Mimi (grandmother to non-Southerners). Before I was graced with my first chorus of “Jolene” or watch-through of Unlikely Angel, I was clipping on my Mimi’s rhinestone earrings, wobbling in her leopard print heels, stealing her frosty hot pink lipstick, and falling asleep to the feeling of her long acrylic nails stroking my arm.

It doesn’t take more than one glance to know that my Mimi loves Dolly Parton more than anyone on this planet. From the platinum blonde hair to the bedazzled, animal-printed, and fringed outfits that are somehow never repeated. This is the woman who taught me that you “never leave the house without your hair and face done;” that you can speak softly and still command a room; and to be who I am “because everyone else is taken.”

And now that I’m handing down these lessons and indoctrinating my own daughter into this glitter-encrusted, hair-teasing sisterhood, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge how Dolly inspired generations of people with her unwavering commitment to being herself and loving others.

EEAT Before the Internet Existed

Okay, fine—here comes the required marketing tie-in.

In a time when marketers spend so much energy worrying about Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and keeping up with algorithmic shifts, it’s almost funny how a woman whose rise to fame predated the personal computer effortlessly hit every principle of EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness):

• Experience: Growing up in a one-room cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains with eleven siblings gave her absolute zero-party data on the human condition.
• Expertise: Over 3,000 written songs prove domain authority that no AI model could hallucinate.
• Authoritativeness: Decades of multi-generational, global cultural consensus.
• Trustworthiness: Unshakable consistency across seven decades.

There. We checked the SEO box. Now back to what actually matters: what we can learn from the incomparable legacy this icon leaves behind, both as a human being and as the greatest personal brand to ever walk the earth.

Lesson 1: Build a Brand So Distinctive It Can’t Be Cloned

In the days since her passing, we’ve seen perhaps the biggest, most ubiquitous outpouring of love across every imaginable demographic. People from every walk of life, political creed, background, and identity loved Dolly Parton.

Yet, she never tried to be “for everyone.”

She unabashedly wore sky-high wigs, heavy makeup, and loud, fringe-heavy fashion decades before maximalism was trendy. She famously modeled her look after the “town tramp” in Sevierville because to a young girl growing up in poverty, that was what beauty and power looked like.

Distinctive Identity + Absolute Consistency = Total Cultural Affinity

Dolly showed that when you own your visual identity and persona 100%, you don’t alienate people—you fascinate them. She built a brand that created endless positive sentiment because it was entirely unique, instantly recognizable, and never compromised.

Lesson 2: A Single Central Story, Unlimited Purposeful Manifestations

Dolly’s entire ecosystem was anchored to two core truths: she was a Christian, and she grew up poor in rural Appalachia.

Everything she built stemmed from that origin story, yet she translated it into countless distinct, high-impact initiatives:

She didn’t change her central narrative to fit different audiences. She simply let her values manifest in ways that brought real help to real people.

Lesson 3: Embrace the Contradictions (Authenticity Wins Every Time)

Most corporate brand guidelines try to sand off every edge until an entity is completely smooth, safe, and utterly boring. Dolly’s personal brand was full of glorious, human contradictions that made her utterly believable:

• She was devoutly Christian, yet openly embraced her sexuality and advocated fiercely for marginalized groups.
• She never shied away from tough subjects like poverty or reproductive rights, yet maintained warmth that bridged political divides.
• She was wildly rich and influential, yet deeply humble—always maintaining that she was “just a songwriter” and politely insisting her voice was merely “lovely,” not elite.
• She spent millions looking outrageously artificial while being the most authentic person in any room.

She never pretended to be anything she wasn’t. She told you her hair was a wig, her nails were fake, and her jokes were calculated. Because the wrapping paper was artificial, the gift inside was always 100% genuine.

Lesson 4: Evolve the Medium, Preserve the Core

From radio transcription disks and vinyl to streaming services, social media, and digital platforms, Dolly never fought new technology or changing times. She embraced them.

She leaned on trusted experts, business managers, and creative collaborators so she could stay laser-focused on her core genius: writing songs and connecting with human hearts.

Right down to her visual signatures—like the consistent motif of the butterfly that followed her from her 1974 album Love Is Like a Butterfly to her theme parks and stage costumes decades later—she understood how to signal continuity while constantly moving forward. Read more on her legacy at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

The Final Takeaway

We mourn Dolly Parton because she represented the absolute best of us. She showed us how to speak softly while holding an entire room spellbound, how to use success to lift up everyone around us, and how to look in the mirror every morning and decide to be exactly who we are—rhinestones, teased hair, and all.

To Dolly: Thank you for the music, the books, the jobs, the laughter, and the blueprint for how to live a full, loving, unapologetic life. We will always love you.

Thank you for joining me on this thinly veiled excuse to sob at our desks. But in the wise words of St. Dolly, Patron (Parton) Saint of the 9 to 5 – “I’m a workhorse that looks like a show horse.” So, dry your eyes, fix your makeup, fluff your hair, and back to work. May you create something today that she’d be proud of.

As it turns out, The Beast was your classic good boy and nothing to fear all along.

In the past, the mere mention of AI in casual conversation has made me uneasy.

But the fence came down, the huge dog ran over, and turns out, it’s all okay.

In fact, I think we’ll be good friends.

Writing is just about my favorite thing in the world and because I love the unique feeling of reading a line and thinking, “Damn, that’s good,” I want to experience it as much as I can in this little life.

So if I am aware there is a technology that triggers that specific dopamine release that comes from sitting back and reading a clever line, all the while helping me become a better, more effective writer, well unleash the beast.

I wanted to show an example of how ChatGPT works as my friend, not my enemy to write solid copy.

We’re starting with a blank billboard mockup for a company that produces really clever copy, Oatly.

I’ve come up with a headline using my standard-issue human brain.

It reads “Everyone’s entitled to their oat opinion.”

My intention for this mockup is to write copy that captures the charming self-awareness that is inherent to the Oatly brand, one that communicates, “We know not everyone likes us and we’re cool with that.”

I jot down the second blub but am stumped as I attempt to come up with another description of the type of person who would be passionate about oat milk. (You either know the type or you are the type. Sorry, I don’t make the rules.)

So, I turn to ChatGPT and ask “What are some other descriptions in the realm of Etsy candle maker, daily vlogger, reiki healer, etc.?

“Handmade soap crafter” appears.

“Bingo! Thanks, homie.”

I list some of the best negative Oatly reviews I can find online.

Now, I am in need of a line to close it out, one that gives off an “It is what it is” attitude.

But, that’s not exactly what I want to say…

So instead of snapping my fingers while looking upward with my eyes closed, I ask ChatGPT for some other ways to say just that.

“No use crying over spilled milk.”

That’s a no-brainer.

…And done!

The end result? A billboard that sounds like a human was behind it because that’s the truth.

I asked ChatGPT to develop copy for the same concept all by its lonesome.

It reads, “Oatly oat milk is not for everyone. We understand that some people still prefer traditional dairy milk, and that’s okay. That’s why we’ve created an oat milk that’s specifically designed for those who want to try something different. Our oat milk is creamy, versatile, and made from 100% natural oats, making it a healthier and more sustainable alternative to dairy. But, we don’t expect everyone to like it. If you’re curious and willing to try, give Oatly oat milk a chance. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it. And if not, that’s okay too. We just wanted to offer you an alternative that you can feel good about.” 

It’s not terrible, but it’s also not terribly fun.

But even the best of friends get jealous of one another from time to time, so in my efforts to keep building up my confidence via AI affirmations, I ask ChatGPT what human copywriters can do that it cannot.

Sometimes you just need a little ego boost from AI. Now, this is the right place to insert, “It is what it is.”

It answers, “While I can provide information and generate text based on my training data, a human copywriter has the ability to bring a personal touch and human connection to their writing.”

“You always know just what to say,” I reply and wink at my computer.

Whether it’s humor, emotion, authenticity, personality, or storytelling, the rhythm behind good ads is a steady sense of humanness.

Because good brands feel human.

That’s not going to change, but neither is the continuation of AI growth.

If we choose to see it as a friend and not a foe, this can be exciting instead of terrifying.

You know, like a sweet, slobbery Mastiff.

So to my fellow copywriters, brand makers, and story shakers, consider this your personal invitation to transform your potential enemy into your newfound sidekick.

But lastly, as you begin to befriend AI, keep in mind, just like any other friendship, it’s important to understand your counterpart’s limits and strengths.

Because truth be told, your human friends are probably much more fun at parties.