If you’re going to apologize to your audience by saying something like, “Sorry this message is so long,” then before clicking “send” or before you deliver your address, check the text.

• Have you included extraneous information?

• Are you repeating what people already know?

• Is there a simpler way to say what’s needed?

• Is any of the messaging more about you and your ego, rather than what best serves the audience?

If any of these are true, then don’t apologize … or do the valuable work of editing.

Suggestion: choose the latter.