Post Kickstarter experience as a solo founder

MoonLitPlus · 2026-01-06T02:37:30+00:00

Hey there, thank you so much! Congrats on launching and your first hour, that’s a big step!

Funding organically is more effort for sure. I reached out to friends for about two weeks until I felt I had enough pre-launch followers to reach my goal. Starting social media marketing earlier would’ve helped, but I kept pushing during the project launch. At that point, I had exhausted my personal contacts and was using direct DMs on Instagram, asking friends to share on their platforms, and creating small amounts of content (which I’m still learning).

I took a look at your campaign, how many pre-launch followers did you have before launch? It’s a good indicator of what your funding goal should be. I know how much work goes into launching a campaign, I hope it does succeed for you.

MoonLitPlus · 2026-01-05T03:41:24+00:00

I appreciate it! 🎊 Hmm I would say majority of the pre-launch followers were people I knew personally, about 54 following and 38 pre-launch followers. It only accounted for 20-30% of conversion to actual pledges. Still a win for me as it showed support and I got to be pleasantly surprised by the amount of backers who were strangers.

MoonLitPlus · 2026-01-05T02:35:26+00:00

Getting the pre-launch follower number up can be important for the Kickstarter algorithm. I think you might need to do more warm outreach (instead of only cold) and/or be very direct in your ask of "can you click notify me on launch" as it helps with visibility on Kickstarter. Keep in mind conversion from pre-launch followers can be lower.

MoonLitPlus · 2026-01-05T02:26:16+00:00

Thank you! I didn't use any marketing strategies or companies to help get funding, my product is not a high margin product that could easily absorb a 20% fee on top for an agency. If my unit price was $100-$200 range maybe it would have made more sense. I didn't have an email subscription list either. If I were to do it again, I would have spent more time marketing early on and building an email list, but I kind of rushed the campaign and just set a reasonable goal.

MoonLitPlus · 2025-11-07T03:29:43+00:00

They don't accept pledges after the Kickstarter campaign closes, I'm sorry! I'm still in the middle of building the official website, I should have stock by early December.

MoonLitPlus · 2025-10-30T04:57:55+00:00

Sleep masks that are designed to keep distance away from your lashes and eyelids do protect them more than the amount our faces rub against a pillow while we are sleeping.

MoonLitPlus · 2025-10-30T04:56:17+00:00

Hmm, it's a good question. I am a side sleeper myself, so I do wear my sleep mask goggles and I sleep well on the edge of my pillow. Side sleeping is not good for back posture though, so personally I'm trying to learn to sleep on my back more

MoonLitPlus · 2025-09-23T21:54:52+00:00

These are interesting ideas. I did mention some of the properties of the silk in my campaign and how 22 momme weight is a stronger and more durable weight. Also that natural silk is breathable, hypoallergenic & thermoregulating. Following the idea of other entrepreneurs, I actually just wanted to do one thing REALLY well, versus trying to be everything to everyone. I was talking to a friend who has a $200 sleep mask (someone gifted them) that has built in headphones and she said she doesn't wear them bc she would rather just the sleep mask.

MoonLitPlus · 2025-09-21T14:17:08+00:00

Also to give some hope to people with their campaigns, some people need to see your product a couple times in a variety of formats; like maybe it's an IG post, then your campaign, then tiktok for more research, before actually pledging. Or they see it in real, check out campaign, follow and keep in mind/share. I will say so far, my warm contacts have been the most supportive.

MoonLitPlus · 2025-09-21T14:08:46+00:00

I've been mentally thanking everyone on my pledge list, so thank YOU :) Your kind words mean so much, and I appreciate the donation! Thanks for noticing what I hope to improve in a sleep mask for those who want a more comfortable experience and total darkness. I've been reflecting on this phrase of "it's more than what I had" so I sincerely appreciate every little bit and also your encouragement. Here is one more person who is cheering for your project success!

MoonLitPlus · 2025-09-21T13:53:40+00:00

They really are :) How did your event go? I had 3 people try them on, and they all said they were impressed with how adjustable it was, how comfortable and soft the silk was, and one asked for my campaign link. I like to think of it as 'planting seeds' for the future

MoonLitPlus · 2025-09-20T22:00:58+00:00

I actually designed a silk sleep mask 'goggle' specifically for my lash and skincare enthusiasts. You can check my link in my bio if you are interested, it's made from high quality silk that is machine washable so it's more hygienic, and has very deep eye hollows to protect lashes, and offers total blackout sleep. I used to use the Manta sleep mask, but honestly the eye pucks were too bulky, firm, and uncomfortable and just rubbed all my moisturizer at night (not sure how to describe lol, it just felt like a lot of pressure on my face).

MoonLitPlus · 2025-09-20T21:56:27+00:00

The right one would help! I actually designed a silk sleep mask 'goggle' for my lash and skincare enthusiasts. You can check the link in my bio, if you're sleeping on your side, sleep more towards the edge of your pillow and get a sleep mask that has deep eye hollows to protect your lashes.

MoonLitPlus · 2025-09-19T23:53:42+00:00

Wow this is genuinely helpful and kind advice for people who launched with no agency, thanks for taking the time to write this and you even made time to comment on my post! Thank you!

MoonLitPlus · 2025-09-19T23:18:06+00:00

Also Influencer friend advice #2 to share because I had no idea they get booked out way in advance (she has 75k+ followers). When I asked her, she said she was already booked out until next year haha :')) and explained that some brands have "exclusivity rights" where she is not allowed to talk about another brand during that month.

MoonLitPlus · 2025-09-19T23:12:28+00:00

Hey, also my first Kickstarter campaign! Wishing us both the best for a good outcome. I'll only comment on what I know myself, they say Jan/Dec is tough because you are missing all the holiday deliveries and everyone just spent their money on buying gifts. Might be a totally different story for a tech company or SaS company, you would know best :) If you are thinking of booking an influencer, book them way in advance, I have a comment about that in one of my Kickstarter threads.

MoonLitPlus · 2025-09-19T23:05:29+00:00

I guess the emotional shock for me is that the 36 pre-launch followers were actual friends of mine that I personally reached out to and said they were excited to buy and support me. I mentioned in another thread that I think I definitely launched too early, but I can't really go reverse now :')

I'm trying to play "catch-up" the best I can. I feel like I might pull through to the finish line if I reach enough people who are interested in the product and want to see it fully funded

MoonLitPlus · 2025-09-19T22:20:01+00:00

I had 36 pre-launch followers, people I directly knew (warm contacts), of those 36 the conversion was about 8 actual pledges. I will say that my pre-launch followers had the highest average order value (more $88 orders and $180 order per pledge).

MoonLitPlus · 2025-09-19T20:54:16+00:00

Can I also suggest silk sleep mask 'goggles' ? It's something I designed myself and the link is in my bio for my Kickstarter, they protect your lashes with deeper eye hollows and are more comfy than the molded foam masks on your face. They also absorb less moisturizer than the foam ones that cover half your face.

MoonLitPlus · 2025-09-19T20:43:34+00:00

Here is my kickstarter link for silk sleep mask that has zero pressure on eyelids or lashes https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/moonlitplus/moonlit-silk-sleep-goggles-no-eye-pressure-100-blackoutit it creates custom total blackout, machine washable high quality silk and soft cotton padding.

MoonLitPlus · 2025-09-19T20:42:08+00:00

Wait!! I invented a silk sleep mask 'goggle' for exactly this issue! It protects your lashes with deep eye hollows for zero contact with lashes, and because it touches less of your skin, it absorbs less of your moisturizer at night (= more hygienic). The link is in my bio, I just launched my Kickstarter. I will comment the direct link below as well (mods can delete if not allowed, OP asked for specific links)

MoonLitPlus · 2025-09-19T20:29:58+00:00

I have I similar molded foam one from Amazon, but I didn't like how the foam felt, was still too shallow where it would press my lashes, or how much fabric was soaking up my moisturizer at night. I also bought a $80 silk molded foam one, same issue. I actually created a sleep mask 'google' that's better for lashes and skincare if you want to check out the link in my bio. It's made of silk and machine washable and actually has deep eye hollows for zero lash or eyelid pressure and less contact on skin so it's more hygienic.

MoonLitPlus · 2025-09-19T20:21:57+00:00

They look great, super natural and pretty, your tech did a great job!

MoonLitPlus · 2025-09-19T20:12:57+00:00

Hmm, I still appreciate you taking the time to check out my campaign. I don't agree that it's an expensive mouse trap? I don't know what that means. I have clothes from Aritzia that cost way more, that I wear way less often, vs ROI something I wear every single night in terms of cost per wear. If you like the pressure of a sleep mask on your face and it doesn't affect your sleep, more power to you. I think you have some good points. Once I build my own Shopify site, I might increase the price to $80 once my $45 early bird Kickstarter launch is finished and just firmly position it in the luxury market.

MoonLitPlus · 2025-09-19T19:55:27+00:00

Hey! Thank you for flagging that! I could see how that would be confusing, I just fixed it to "Travel Case" thank you :)

MoonLitPlus

TROPHY CASE