The writer's strategies for researching the target audience will tend to vary by three factors:
- Whether or not the viable target audience (of a particular texts) is local,
- Whether or not the writer's experience(s) of that target audience are mostly first-hand or second-hand, and
- How "old" those experiences are.
The age of an experience is important for determining how valid the writer's inferences (about things valued by the audience) are likely to be. People (even people in the target audience) change over time.
Because a face-to-face interview (primary research) with someone in the target audience is possible, interviewing is a good strategy—especially if the writer is on speaking terms with the target audience.
Also, check local sources (secondary research) like newspapers and the websites of local organizations for information which could (metaphorically) suggest things valued by the target audience.
Even if the writer has no first-hand experience with the target audience, interviewing someone in the target audience is still a good strategy.
Also, check local sources (secondary research) like newspapers and the websites of local organizations for information which could (metaphorically) suggest things valued by the target audience.
Even though the target audience is not local, a telephone interview (of someone in the target audience) can provide useful information—especially if the writer is on speaking terms with the target audience.
When a telephone interview is not possible, the writer is going to have to rely on secondary research sources to supply information from which the writer can make inferences (about things valued by the target audience).
- If your target audience is a politician, be sure to check that individual's political website and voting record.
- If your target audience is a government employee, be sure to check the government websites relevant to the topic you are writing about.
- If your target audience is a leader in a corporation, be sure to check the relevant portions of its website.
- If your target audience belongs to a social, charitable, or professional organization, be sure to check those organization's websites for useful information.
Check the newspapers which are published where the target audience is located.
Pretty much the same strategies as  above. However, this is a situation in which asking others (who may have had first-hand experiences with the target audience) can be a useful strategy.
Why Research the Target Audience?
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Local; Second-Hand
Not Local: Second-Hand