There’s a new piece of merch available at Taylor’s store, the Taylor Swift Mine Tee. You can see the print on the left. The words “You are the best thing that’s ever been mine” are scripted on top.
Ironically enough, I’m using that announcement to segway into another topic, which is fandom and merchandising or “merch” as it’s commonly referred to.
Twitter is my preferred medium to talk to Swifties (strangely enough I don’t know any offline). They come from all over the world. They come from different cultures and backgrounds. And, like the world goes, most of them don’t have very deep pockets.
It has been a very old pet peeve of mine that people categorize the “biggest fan” as the person who has adquired the most merch. I reject this idea as a whole. If you’re still young and you live with your parents, you know the drill. You pick your battles. Yes, it’s exciting to dream about acquiring every single Taylor memorabilia out there, but in the real world you compromise and pick what you can get.
As a older Swiftie, I have the advantage/disadvantage of being in control of my finances. It might surprise you to know I don’t have a lot of stuff (I don’t live in the US either, so shipping charges and customs fees apply). As a fan, I save my Taylor-destined funds for concerts. Yes, I do own a couple of Tay Tees (haha!) and a poster (not to mention all her albums). However, as most real fans will tell you, they’d give all the Swift swag they own for that one elusive jewel in the crown: meeting Taylor Swift herself.
I really feel it for those fans that live in countries that Taylor has never visited. I want you all to know that a fan is a fan regardless of what you own. You’re not any less of a fan because you couldn’t get the latest Tee, or you couldn’t go to the Fearless Tour because of finances or location or both, or you don’t own an iPhone to put her apps on it, or your parents can’t afford all the magazines in which Taylor appears.
You’re still the very best fan in Taylor’s eyes because in her own words:
All you need to be my friend is to like me
– Taylor Swift
Time to VOTE for the Sparkly Dressed again! Taylor is up for a VMA for Female Video of the Year. To add pressure, I’m not only threatening you to play the guitar but also will sing to you if you don’t vote for the Fearless One. Start clicking! VOTE HERE.
Also, I hate to be a pest but if you visit The Swift Agency’s Facebook Page and Like it (if you like it, I’m not forcing you). We only need three more likes to finally have a username. Update! We have a username, now you can find our page at http://www.facebook.com/TheSwiftAgency
Coming up! CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock airs on ABC at 8/7c on September 1st.
(Sources: Taylor Swift Store, Video Music Awards, CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock)
The Swift Agency 
Good point!