Edit. Edit. Edit. By whatever means you choose, whether it be Microsoft Track Changes, Google’s editor function, Adobe’s comment feature, read-and-listen, or the traditional red pen to hard copy: Do it! You won’t regret it!

Feel like I’ve hit you over the head yet? Because I think editing—to the extent possible within time constraints—is critical to communication. You’ve traveled the windy, and sometimes excruciating, path to publication; why not ensure your product is met with eagerness and left with longing? Give your audience and fellow humans the inspiration they need to ballast their own journey of communicating and creating!

If we, as presenters of spoken or written work, take the time to analyze our ideas, bolster our views, and consider the implications of our words, we reap the benefits of honest and genuine communication. The ultimate goal in any presentation of written or spoken word is to share ideas, experiences and commonalities in order to open up thoughtful exchange and discussion. Treat your audience’s time as if it is as valuable as your own: make the product that you disseminate count. Your audience has taken the time to listen to, read, or peruse your product and they want to know it was worth it.

Ultimate distillate: Utilize any and all resources available to ensure your product is taken seriously.