WORDS  OF PRAISE FOR WORDS DONE JUST RIGHT

• “Janet is a team leader in the newsroom….Her mission is to help ensure that her team has a place at the table and that all members of our community have a place in our paper’s coverage. She’s been reading our paper since childhood.” Catherine Barnett, executive editor, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat regional newspaper

• “WOW! I just got a copy of your ‘Courier’ [CCI newsletter]. What a change, and what a nice job. Congratulations!” Jennifer Bassing, director of public relations, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.”
  

• “No book happens only because of its author. A number of people and dogs played important roles in helping bring this work to fruition. Janet Herring-Sherman did the original research and wrote the first draft.” Bonnie Bergin, Ed.D, conceptualized a service dog to do the work of arms and legs for individuals with disabilities; founder of Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) and the Assistance Dog Institute; author of “Bonnie Bergin’s Guide to Bringing Out the Best in Your Dog”

• “Thank you for your terrific article in ‘Today’s Woman.’ Susan and I are both delighted with your favorable and accurate coverage….” Bill Blum, promotions and special events manager, Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa

• “Thanks, Janet, for a terrific Leadership Forum session on news and the media. On post-session evaluations sheets, class members were unanimous in their appreciation….They liked your page-one exercise, which is fun and teaches them that choosing news stories isn’t as easy as they thought it was.” Pete Golis, editorial director, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat regional newspaper

• “Just wanted to let you [the managing editor] know that I’m eternally grateful to Janet for suggesting a creative solution to a nettlesome problem.…I wanted to give the local United Nations chapter’s speaker meeting something beyond a calendar listing, but [it didn’t rise to the level of] an advance.  Janet suggested that online might be the way to go, and that’s what we did. The point is, I probably wouldn’t have thought of this solution, but Janet did.” Paul Ingalls, senior editor, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat regional newspaper

• “Janet Herring-Sherman…brought a unique perspective as [she] pondered my work. [She] was a huge source of encouragement.”   Dr. Nancy Kay, specialist, American College of Veterinary Medicine and author of the  award-winning book, “Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life”

• “I wanted to thank you for all the good work you had done for the Oxbow over the years.You have had an excellent hand in helping us develop the strategy and program that I feel has lent so significantly to what Oxbow is about, and the excellent results we have been able to achieve therefrom over a relatively short period of time. You were just great! …I would be delighted to serve as a reference for anyone or anything you want to refer to me; you are an extraordinary talent.” Dan Lufkin, Columbia Pictures, Inc., Chairman; and owner, Oxbow Ranch

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• “To the Future Clients of Freelance Writer Janet Herring –Sherman,

Janet created the materials that set the stage for my business success. We were business associates for 20 years, in which time she helped me grow my real estate business to the degree that I became one of America’s top agents.

Her writing, on my behalf, ranged from ghostwritten newspaper and magazine articles to descriptive sales brochures that nearly always got homes and developments sold; and from radio ad copy and newsletters to a book proposal. She is a skilled and talented writer who is professional every step of the way. I would love to have her back on my team.

Janet was game for any project small or large. She often suggested innovative marketing strategies herself . She brought her strong word and writing know-how to everything we asked her to create.  One of her greatest successes was crafting newspaper advertorials so authentic that readers assumed they were written by the local newspaper’s reporting staff!

If Janet was new to a subject, she’d ask questions to attain a thorough understanding of the service, product or market. She had a sixth sense about when and where to promote me.

Janet is many things:  an engaging, clear communicator who meets deadlines and keeps commitments to clients; a high achiever who becomes invested in what/who she’s writing about; and she’s easy to work with as well. She’s eager and sparks at each new writing assignment or challenge.

Without hesitation, I would recommend Janet, a talented and trustworthy freelancer, for any writing project you might have. She has a genuine gift for words – and loves helping her clients discover the words they need.

Hire Janet: Her words will become your champions; and her writing will get you results.” Martin A. Levy, #1 overall agent in Sonoma County, California, since 1977

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• “I have been watching you over time, noticing that you have always done the ‘right thing.’ You always look out  for your staff and help them succeed.” Peg Melnik, staff writer and wine columnist, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat  newspaper

• “I wanted you to know how great it is to have a truly devoted representative in the field…should offer you a commission for all your hard work investigating appropriate retail outlets in Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties.” Shelley Nohowel, editor, “Fine Homes” magazine
  

• “This past year brought you to another level in maturing as a newsroom manager and leader….You  contributed to the overall operation of the newspaper….You collaborated with other managers in the newsroom ….You  expanded your influence in community stories proposed for the paper….You came up with items for a marketing campaign to promote the Sunday newspaper and the Talk Back reader panel. One of your strengths is anticipating issues and thinking through alternatives, so you are prepared as events unfold…..You are a quick study, able to grasp issues and learn from your experiences…. Along with that, you demonstrate your personal concerns and professional standards in dealings with your staff and other editors and to the credibility and quality of the newspaper.” Bob Swofford, managing editor, The Press Democrat regional newspaper

• “Your insight into and connections with the broader community of our readers add to our reporting team’s  awareness. You often identify ways to  fill a critical gap in our story planning and selection…You often identify angles to stories, anticipating reader questions and concerns that go beyond the basics of an event or issue or meeting coverage….You have earned the respect of editors throughout the newsroom for your judgment and willingness to make things happen. Your work is accurate and meets the high standards we set for ourselves….You don’t hesitate to  handle new assignments….You took charge of the In Uniform series during the Iraq war. That was a well-read feature of our local war coverage made possible by your organizing…to contact families, get information and secure photos of men and women from here involved in the war. [Then] you worked with the new online department to give In Uniform a web presence as well.” Bob Swofford, managing editor, The Press Democrat regional newspaper
  

• “You’re such a big asset to the newsroom…It couldn’t survive without you. I enjoy working with you and learning from your wisdom.” Cecilia Vega, staff reporter, The Santa Rosa Press Democrat  newspaper

• “I am excited once again about being able to present your grant to this foundation…. Thanks again for your wonderful, well- put-together grant.” Carla  Yeo, board member, Education Foundation