Montgomery vocal talent Tonya Scott-Williams shares her warm, clear tone on local radio and as the voiceover for commercials and multiple marketing projects through her business Rise Media Group, LLC. But she’s not simply speaking; she’s combining her voice with an inclination for helping others to ensure her clients’ messages rise above the noise.
Are you from Montgomery? I’m originally from Greensboro, Florida, and moved to Montgomery for college. Although I thought I’d move away afterwards, I eventually got married, developed a wonderful network of friends and became involved in the community.
How and when did you first get into doing voice overs? I have a broadcast journalism background, first starting out as a reporter on WZHT, 105.7 radio station here and was eventually promoted to news director. I was also a reporter and talk show host at WVAS, FM 90.7. While in radio, I learned the inner workings of production, lending my voice to commercials and other projects at both stations. Then, I started a family and became a stay-at-home mom, homeschool parent and co-owner of a financial services firm. I still managed to take on occasional voiceover projects, including voicing the opening videos for the Chamber’s annual meetings.
In 2018, while trying to decide what was the next right move, I saw an opportunity to focus on my passion. Voiceover had always been meaningful and fulfilling so I decided to steer my energy in that direction and create my business, Rise Media Group, LLC. I took advantage of business building workshops and training sessions at the Small Business Resource Center through the Chamber, as well as The Small Business Development Center at ASU and worked with a mentor to refresh my skills in the broadcast, production and marketing industry. Today, while I have a full-time job I enjoy, I fill the hours away from the office on business development, networking and voicing work for a growing portfolio of clients including the Montgomery Regional Airport, The Southern Poverty Law Center, The Mobile Water Works and Sewer System and a recent project I’m hosting for the Alabama Humanities Foundation.
What voiceover services do you provide? Corporate e-learning tutorials and videos, public address system and overhead announcements, commercials, audio books, narration, documentaries, emcee, company voicemail and on-hold messaging systems.
Why should a business or company consider using a voice talent pro to communicate their message? An experienced voiceover professional has the ability to connect with and influence a company’s target market. They’re able to take direction, offer suggestions and convey your message in a way that brings it to life. The last thing you want is for it to get lost in a sea of sound. As a voiceover professional, my goal is to compel the audience to listen to the message and draw them in your direction.
What did you enjoy most about hosting the BizTalk MGM radio show? As host of BizTalk, I had a unique opportunity to meet a variety of guests, most of whom are business owners. We have some remarkable people in this city who are committed to their vision and the clients they serve, and I enjoy hearing their stories unfold. It takes courage to maintain a business, and the road to success isn’t a straight line, so when they joined me on BizTalk, I learned from their experiences while exchanging insights and information that may be beneficial to the audience.
What are your interests outside of work? When I’m not working, I’m either volunteering or spending as much time as possible with my daughter before she goes back to college in January. I’m also an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys birdwatching. I’m a member of Women Business Owners of the River Region, the Chamber and Women of Will. And I’m the author of “Marvelous Marva Had a Dream,” published in 2018. It follows a remarkable little girl who, through her imagination, helps readers discover how the ordinary becomes extraordinary. I’m also the creator and host of the podcast, “Eat the Taco. Drink the Wine!”
Sound On
“My favorite thing about voiceover work is being behind the microphone and giving voice to the vision my clients have for their project. I’m thinking about their audience, their product or service as the words flow from my mouth, recognizing that they’re trusting me to convey a message to their target market. When I’m representing my clients’ vision, everything else fades away and the end product always amazes me.”
tonyascottwilliams.com
