Choosing the right type of visualization depends on the nature of the dataset and the audience's needs. First, I consider the type of data I have—whether it's categorical, numerical, or time series. For instance, bar charts are great for comparing categories, while line charts are ideal for showing trends over time. Next, I think about the audience's familiarity with data visualizations. For a technical audience, more complex visuals like scatter plots or heat maps might be appropriate, whereas for a non-technical audience, simpler visuals like pie charts or infographics might be more effective. I also take into account the key message or insight I want to convey and choose a visualization that highlights that aspect clearly. Lastly, I ensure that the visualization is not cluttered and is easy to interpret, using colors and labels effectively to guide the audience's understanding.