Becoming social butterflies No comments yet

After nearly 25 years in the cabinet hardware business, Cliffside Industries has undertaken the tools of social media to reach a new, wider audience. Social media, from websites like Facebook to the microblogs of Twitter, are a way for Cliffside to connect to customers – fast. While representatives from Cliffside Industries have always been reachable by phone, now you can connect to us even more quickly through your computer or smartphone. Here are some of Cliffside’s ways that we reach out to our customers.

Our blog

Our blog, as it appeared in June 2011

You are currently reading the oldest and most well-informed part of Cliffside’s social media adventure: our blog. This is a great resource for customers and consumers of our product to read about issues and questions regarding our hardware. We draw many of our blog topics from customer questions that we take directly from phone  calls; for example, “What finishes are safe  for customers with nickel allergies?” (our first blog ever) or “What hinge style should I use for this cabinet?”. You’ll always enjoy our fun posts around the winter holidays too!

We also use our blog to publish press releases about the arrival and introduction of new products. We rolled out our line of hardware suites with new solid brass 8″cc small appliance pulls using our blog, and we have added literally hundreds of new products since our blog was first started near the end of 2008.

Facebook

Facebook.com, according to the New York Times, is the largest social network in the world, serving over 750 million users as of this writing. Cliffside Industries is active on Facebook, sharing links to dealer websites and information about our products. We regularly post information about our customers, and welcome the addition of any Cliffside projects by our dealers to our Facebook page. We also promote our blog through Facebook; each post is linked for quick access.

Our Facebook is also a way to get in touch with staff. If you are online and have a question that requires a quick response, send us a Facebook message; a customer service representative can be with you nearly instantaneously (as long as we’re open!).

QR codes

This QR code leads to the Cliffside website.

Starting in July 2011, Cliffside Industries has begun using “QR codes”, like the one shown at right. QR (short for “Quick Response”) codes are readable by many smartphones. Simply scan or photograph the code with the phone, and it will take you directly to related content on the provider’s website. Cliffside Industries will begin offering QR codes for mobile users in our printed materials, like promotional offers. The biggest undertaking will be our next catalog, slated for release in early 2012: each item in the Cliffside catalog will be directly accessible, via QR code, from your mobile device. This provides a direct link from our print media to the Cliffside website, which offers a wide variety of information for your use.

Twitter

In all of our promotion of social media, the smallest contributions come through Twitter, where the micro-updates are limited to 140 characters. Knowing how to be succinct is key. Follow Cliffside on Twitter to be among the first to know when new updates are made on our website, to see special promotions, and to be alerted when we feature dealers or products for your viewing pleasure.

I feel like I’m forgetting something…

…oh right. The butterfly.

Giving cabinets a facelift No comments yet

Changing cabinet hardware is an easy way to give a tired or outdated kitchen a fresh new look. Cliffside Industries offers a wide variety of products to give you the most options when trying to replace your hardware. According to Kitchen and Bath Design News‘ (KBDN) June 2011 issue, major remodeling projects are out. More and more consumers “are choosing to perform ‘room lifts’ — small upgrades to personalize a room” (p. 11); this is a perfect example of how just a small change like cabinet hardware can update an entire space.

Shaping your ideas

The octagonal shape of the 147 is one of Cliffside's most unique.

For the client looking for new and unique shapes, Cliffside offers a variety of round, square, oblong, and rectangular knobs with a traditional flair. For even more selection, we offer a wide range of novelty products, from nautical to natural and everything in between.

Finishing the job

With ten signature finishes to choose from, Cliffside has a color to suit any need. From a variety of brass-toned hues to a selection of chrome and nickel finishes and multiple oil-rubbed bronze selections, Cliffside captures the imagination with a large selection throughout our solid brass line. For a more rustic look, three finishes are available in our rustic Sedona series.

Compare and contrast

When choosing a color for hardware, consider the color of your cabinets. Many customers, when choosing hardware, will bring a wood sample along so they can evaluate how the colors will coordinate. With medium-toned woods, getting a close color match is sometimes preferred, while with dark or light stains, contrast makes a bold statement — consider, for example, the warm, shiny tones of polished nickel against an elegant dark walnut cabinet.

Sparkle and shine

The M30AB and M35AB crystals incorporate a distinctive prismatic effect.

KBDN indicates that a new focus in decorative hardware are pieces with “more sparkle than seen in recent years” (p. 60). Cliffside Industries accommodates everyone’s need to shine with our line of refined European lead crystal. Designed and shaped by Old World artisans and assembled in the U.S.A., these pieces are elegant and sophisticated, lending a classic new look to any kitchen or bath.