Pitch Structure Template

A step-by-step architecture for a 10-minute business pitch, with time allocations for each section and specific guidance on what to cover in each. Opening, problem, solution, benefits, call to action. The times scale proportionally, so it works whether you have 5 minutes or 30. Use it to plan what you'll say before you touch a single slide.

When to use it: When you know what you want to pitch but aren't sure how to structure it. This template is particularly helpful when you're preparing for a time-boxed presentation and need to be disciplined about what gets airtime and what doesn't. It also works well when coaching someone else through their pitch prep, because the structure makes it easy to spot where they're spending too long or skipping something important.

How to get the most out of it: Resist the urge to give every section equal weight. The template deliberately gives benefits four minutes out of ten, and the opening and close just 30 seconds each. That's intentional. Most people over-invest in explaining their solution and under-invest in making the audience feel the impact. Fill in each section with notes or bullet points before you build slides. If a section feels thin, that's a signal you need to do more thinking, not more decorating. And pay attention to the call to action: a pitch without a specific, concrete ask is just a presentation.