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The Cascade Effect

The news stories we're working on, the expert knowledge on marketing/PR and what matters to businesses today

Apr 5, 2018
4 min

How to Rank High in Search: The Best Secrets for DIY SEO

Every business is concerned with SEO. Any why shouldn’t they be? Where you rank on search engines can determine how well your business...

14 views0 comments

Actually, This is Not What Successful Companies Do

Jennifer Fortney Cascade PR

Apr 3, 2018
3 min

Actually, This is Not What Successful Companies Do

Like all small businesses, my work email finds its way onto many lists. My junk email box is a menagerie for everything from VC offers to...

4 views0 comments

Con Artists “Catfishing” Startups. An Epidemic?

Jennifer Fortney Cascade PR

Mar 31, 2018
5 min

Con Artists “Catfishing” Startups. An Epidemic?

This is a topic that has been on mind for several years and I haven’t been 100% on whether I should, or how I would, address it. Finally,...

20 views0 comments

Top Creative PR Tips to Create Opportunities with Media

Jennifer Fortney Cascade PR

Mar 29, 2018
3 min

Top Creative PR Tips to Create Opportunities with Media

As a startup, you are the Believer. The one who holds the candle of Faith. Who pushes through the barriers with Determination,...

6 views0 comments

Cascade Communications

Mar 27, 2018
2 min

Cascade Communications Featured Among Top PR Firms in Chicago

Earlier this month, Cascade Communications began assisting Clutch in their leading public relations research. After working closely with...

23 views0 comments

Jennifer Fortney

Mar 20, 2018
4 min

Over Discounting Can Kill Your Brand and Destroy Perceived Value

It’s a common story of a common marketing mistake: Over discounting. New businesses and startups often believe that the best way to...

103 views0 comments

6 Ways for Startup Founders to Take a Break & Create Fresh Thinking

Cascade Communications

Mar 18, 2018
3 min

6 Ways for Startup Founders to Take a Break & Create Fresh Thinking

For entrepreneurs, it is a day in and day out grind of drinking the same Kool-aid. It is easy to develop tremendous determination and...

12 views0 comments

Experts Reveal Top PR Tips for Great Press Releases

Jennifer Fortney

Mar 16, 2018
2 min

Experts Reveal Top PR Tips for Great Press Releases

It's a New Year and time for new thinking in generating positive attention for your business. Would you like to be interviewed by media?...

3 views0 comments

Why Media are Sending Your Press Release to the Trash Bin

Cascade Communications

Mar 14, 2018
3 min

Why Media are Sending Your Press Release to the Trash Bin

I see it all of the time. A press release that reads like more of an informational brochure than an actual compelling news story; a...

3 views0 comments

Don't Fall for The PR Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

Cascade Communications

Mar 12, 2018
3 min

Don't Fall for The PR Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

Thanks to the world of the Internet almost anyone can paint the picture of whom they would like to be, but really aren't. A flashy...

14 views0 comments

Why Everyone Needs to Find the Entrepreneur Inside

Cascade Communications

Mar 10, 2018
4 min

Why Everyone Needs to Find the Entrepreneur Inside

While individuals continue to try and find a good, full-time career, it’s no surprise that many are turning to temporary work to tie them...

7 views0 comments

Why Your PR Strategy May be “Crying Wolf”

Jennifer Fortney

Mar 8, 2018
3 min

Why Your PR Strategy May be “Crying Wolf”

(As originally written for and published on NBCChicago.com's Inc. Well) Most companies understand the power of a press release as a tool...

9 views0 comments

PR Stunts: The good, bad and the really, really ugly

Jennifer Fortney

Mar 6, 2018
3 min

PR Stunts: The good, bad and the really, really ugly

(As originally published on NBCChicago.com's Inc. Well) PR Stunts. Everyone wants to do them and hopes they trigger massive media...

9 views0 comments

Cascade Communications Joins Clutch’s Coverage of Leading PR Firms in Chicago

Jennifer Fortney

Mar 6, 2018
2 min

Cascade Communications Joins Clutch’s Coverage of Leading PR Firms in Chicago

Working on behalf of business owners, entrepreneurs, and startup founders everywhere, Cascade Communications has a passion for brand...

10 views0 comments

How to Be a Great Client: Simple Tips for Working with Your PR Agency

Cascade Communications

Mar 4, 2018
3 min

How to Be a Great Client: Simple Tips for Working with Your PR Agency

Learning to work with an agency, especially when you’ve never done it before, can be an exercise in trust and faith. Having an...

9 views0 comments

Cascade Communications

Mar 2, 2018
2 min

Why PR Works For Small Business

I am often asked the question "why should we go with PR?" The answers are quite simple: 1. Public relations is a more affordable...

9 views0 comments

What exactly IS PR? How Does it Work? New Book Solves Mystery

Jennifer Fortney

Mar 1, 2018
2 min

What exactly IS PR? How Does it Work? New Book Solves Mystery

Over the past 17 years in business, I have had more people - entrepreneurs and corporate executives - ask me about PR and "what is it?"....

1 view0 comments

Media Interviews: Where Patience Meets Savvy

Cascade Communications

Feb 28, 2018
4 min

Media Interviews: Where Patience Meets Savvy

There’s nothing worse than being interviewed by a journalist only to forget who you’re speaking to and that everything you say is “on the...

4 views0 comments

Fred Brewer/Jennifer Fortney

Feb 28, 2018
4 min

How to Rank High in Search: The Best Secrets for DIY SEO

Every business is concerned with SEO. Any why shouldn’t they be? Where you rank on search engines can determine how well your business...

10 views0 comments

Cascade Communications

Feb 26, 2018
3 min

Be an Expert, Drive Media Interest

Public relations has many arms and legs beyond just a press release and pitching a story. There are a variety of strategies that fuel...

7 views0 comments

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