Writing a Tribute - Fun, Effective, Ever-Lasting

Paying tribute to someone might feel like a formal, stuffy thing to do. Perhaps it conjures up images for you of stiff speeches at funerals, while everyone awkwardly eats canapés and sips warm wine. Or maybe it makes you think of long obituaries in broadsheet newspapers, listing dull facts about people you’ve never even heard of before.

But what if I told you that tribute writing could be fun? That it could be an effective way of making a meaningful gesture to someone you love? You don’t have to be an accomplished writer to make an impact with your words. Just writing a simple tribute for someone who’s been an important person in your life can be a gratifying and fun thing to do. 

What Is a Tribute?

Historically, paying tribute was often a financial thing, as the phrase implies. One state or ruler would make regular payments to another, as a sign of respect or allegiance, or sometimes to show dependence or submission. Sometimes it was even to prevent war.

These days tributes have much more positive connotations. Tributes are written to memorialize people who have passed away but also to celebrate our heroes and idols. Science has even shown that being a fan is good for your mental health.

Back in the 80s, if you wanted to join the fan club of your favorite pop group, you had to send away with a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The fan club would then send you a goodie bag with badges, posters, and maybe even a signed photo if you were lucky. At its height, the British pop group Bros had six million members across the globe.

These days, it’s easy to follow your idols on social media. But writing your own fan page is a really fun way to document all the reasons why you love your favorite singer, sports star, writer, or actor. You can enjoy finding photos of them to feature, then you can share the page on your own social media. Who knows, if you tag them they might even reply!

It’s easy to write a fan page on Tributize, and it’s also free! So next time you feel overwhelmed with affection when listening to your favorite song, why not take a moment to write down your feelings about the artist that you love. You can tell the world how you discovered their music, which songs you like the most, and any other fun facts you’d like to share. 

Tributes for Your Loved Ones

There are lots of ways to mark the passing of a loved one. Headstones in graveyards tell us the dates that the person lived, and often the names of their family members. Some offer us some insight into the person’s life and character, like the famous inscription on the gravestone of comedian Spike Milligan, which reads “I told you I was ill”, translated into the ancient Irish language.

Other choices include park benches in the person’s favorite spot, with a plaque to remember them by. Some people set up charities in memory of their loved ones. All of these things can be therapeutic and help with the grieving process.

Another great way to make an ever-lasting memorial for a loved one is by setting up a page for them on Tributize. This does not cost anything and can be a central portal for friends and family to share photos, videos, and stories. 

This Tributize page is a beautiful example of a memorial tribute for someone who’s passed away. It’s is a central place for Ronnie’s friends and family to share their thoughts and feelings on his passing and record their memories of him. This will last forever - it can’t get lost, like a physical book of memories could, and Ronnie’s loved ones can turn to it whenever they want to remember him.

Who Has Made a Difference in Your Life?

Sometimes it’s not that easy to put your feelings into words. Or maybe you don’t even realize at the time the impact that someone is having on your life, and it’s only when you look back that you realize how important that person was to you.

I remember a music teacher I had at school, who gave me saxophone lessons. But she actually taught me so much more than just how to play the saxophone. She listened to my teenage angst, helped me to deal with classroom bullies, and gave me advice on relationships.

I will never forget a memorable lesson on a Monday morning, when I was expecting to get into trouble for not having done any practice. But instead, she realized I was distracted and let me pour out my heart to her about my love-life troubles. (Mum and Dad - if you’re reading this, we also went through my exam pieces too, I promise your money wasn’t wasted!)

Maybe you had a teacher like Mrs. Salisbury, who helped you through a difficult stage in your life? What better way to say thank you than by writing an individualized tribute to them. And even if you’re not that confident in your writing skills, you can be sure that the recipient of your tribute will be moved anyway. It’s a cliched phrase to say that it’s the thought that counts, but we all know that it’s true. 

One for the Mothers (and Fathers, and Grandparents, and Aunts and Uncles…)

One of the most popular categories on Tributize is tributes to our mothers. Unlike a greetings cards for her birthday, Mother’s Day, or Christmas, a Tributize page for your mother can never get thrown away or misplaced. It can be accessed anytime, rather than being tucked away in a memory box somewhere. Writing a tribute for your mother is a great way to show how much you care and how much you appreciate everything she has done for you throughout your life. 

Of course, we must remember that families come in many different forms. There will probably be many people in your family who have nurtured and supported you throughout your life. Maybe your Auntie taught you to cook, or your brother played football with you for hours. Maybe the best memories of your childhood involve your Grandad’s stamp collection or building sandcastles with your dad. It’s a beautiful thing to write these memories down and share them with the people you love the most.

Paying tribute to these people can be a hugely therapeutic process, and the recipients will be grateful too. 

Check Out Tributize Now!

Maybe this article has reminded you of a family member, mentor or close friend who you would like to acknowledge, or a celebrity who you admire. Do you feel inspired to write your own tribute for someone who has had an impact on your life? Yes? Then Tributize is what you need.

 The platform is very easy to use and you can add photos and videos to make your tribute unique.

Get started!