# Explore Hard-to-Access Audiences

> Use source-aware simulation to prepare better questions for people who are difficult to recruit.

Source: https://imario.ai/docs/playbooks/reach-hard-to-access-audiences

Synthetic research can help explore specialist perspectives before you recruit real executives, professionals or niche customers. Specific language in a brief does not by itself establish evidence about that group.

## Check coverage first

Inspect [official audiences](https://imario.ai/docs/audiences/catalog) and their source definitions. Some specialist categories require contacting the team. If you hold relevant customer records or interviews, consider [building from data](https://imario.ai/docs/audiences/build-from-data).

If no source supports the exact population, make that limitation explicit. Do not silently label a broad market population as a narrowly defined professional panel.

## Ask about the decision process

Use an [Interview](https://imario.ai/docs/research/interview) with questions such as:

- What information would you need before evaluating this?
- Which constraints could prevent a purchase?
- Who else would influence the decision?
- What would count as convincing evidence?

Include the actual product or scenario context. Avoid supplying the objection you want to hear in the question.

## Turn answers into a research plan

Read individual answers alongside themes. Treat plausible approval processes and objections as hypotheses to investigate, especially when they are inferred rather than sourced.

Use [individual chat](https://imario.ai/docs/synthetic-individuals/manage/chat) for follow-up depth. Build a list of questions for real interviews, then compare what those people actually say. See [Validation](https://imario.ai/docs/methods/validate).

Audience access and research are separate purchases or charges; check [Pricing & credits](https://imario.ai/docs/workspace/pricing) before planning the study.