Context. The key to unraveling and anticipating readership is to take context into consideration. A writer should approach their subject matter, professional, fictional, story or research with an idea of how this information will be used and assimilated in the reader’s mind. Questions to ask yourself:

For writers working on personal storytelling:
Who will be reading this?
Are there parts of this story that seem to personal to share?
How can I convey my emotional experiences and responses through my story to my reader?
What are the mundane details that I have left out?
Are these details important to understanding my story?
If publishing, will I remain more true to factual storytelling or to communicating personal perceptions?

For writing in one's profession:
Who will be reading this?
Does my reader have an education or professional experience that allows them to understand my career?
How can I describe professional interests in less professional terms?
What is my goal in writing for my profession?
Does my writing fit into a marketing strategy? If so, am I remaining true to my goals in self promotion?
What are my plans for publication?

For writers working on inspirational and self-improvement projects:
Who will be reading this?
How do I plan to publish, distribute my material?
Will I be including parts of my own personal story?
Do I plan to interview others to include their stories?
What are my credentials for advising?
Should I incorporate a professional perspective in my book/article(s), etc?

These questions will provide a starting place for writers looking to expand beyond journaling and engage in making their work public. There are so many options for publishing, and there are equally numerous reasons to publish. Consider hiring a coach to help you define and achieve your goals in writing and publication.