Workshop Outline Template: How to Structure a 60-Minute Session That Delivers Results
There's a reason most workshops feel like webinars with a different name. The host teaches for 50 minutes, asks "any questions?" at the end, and everyone leaves having learned something but done nothing.
A real workshop is different. Participants should leave having done the thing, not just heard about it. That's the bar. And hitting it comes down to structure.
This guide gives you the exact framework for building a 60-minute workshop that keeps people engaged, gets them working, and makes them want the next session. Plus three templates you can copy today.
The Difference Between a Workshop and a Webinar
This distinction matters because it changes how you structure everything.
A webinar is a presentation. You teach, they listen. The goal is to inform or persuade. The audience is passive.
A workshop is a working session. You teach briefly, then they apply. The goal is transformation — attendees should leave with something created, completed, or practiced. The audience is active.
| Webinar | Workshop | |
|---|---|---|
| Audience role | Listener | Participant |
| Primary goal | Inform or sell | Transform or build |
| Teaching ratio | 80% teaching, 20% interaction | 40% teaching, 60% doing |
| Best outcome | "I learned something" | "I built something" |
| CTA style | "Buy my course" | "Get support implementing this" |
If your "workshop" is 55 minutes of talking and 5 minutes of Q&A, it's a webinar. That's fine — but call it what it is, and set expectations accordingly.
A true workshop needs structured activity time built into the agenda. That's what this template gives you.
The 60-Minute Workshop Framework
This framework splits your session into 5 blocks. The key ratio is 40/60 — no more than 40% instruction, at least 60% application and interaction.
Block 1: Context Setting (5 minutes)
Start with why this matters today. Not your bio. Not a thank you for joining. The problem.
- "By the end of this hour, you'll have a complete [deliverable]. Not a plan to make one — the actual thing."
- Set expectations: "This is a working session. You'll need [tool/worksheet/blank doc] open."
- Quick poll or question to gauge the room: "How many of you have tried [topic] before?"
The context block does two things: it creates urgency ("this is worth my next 55 minutes") and it sets the mode ("I need to participate, not just watch").
Block 2: The Core Framework (10-15 minutes)
Teach the method. Keep it tight. You're giving them just enough to execute, not a comprehensive education.
The best workshop frameworks follow a simple pattern:
- 3-5 steps, named and numbered. "Step 1: Identify. Step 2: Draft. Step 3: Refine."
- Each step has a clear input and output. Input: "your current LinkedIn headline." Output: "a headline that follows the [Result] for [Audience] formula."
- Show a completed example before asking them to do it. "Here's what the finished version looks like for my client Sarah."
Resist the urge to teach everything you know. The workshop is not the place for depth — it's the place for action. Teach the minimum viable framework, then let them use it.
Block 3: Guided Exercise (20-25 minutes)
This is the heart of the workshop. The thing that makes it a workshop and not a presentation.
Structure the exercise in rounds:
- Round 1 (8-10 min): Apply Step 1 of your framework. Everyone works individually. You narrate and provide examples as they work: "If you're stuck on the headline, try this formula: [verb] + [outcome] + [audience]."
- Round 2 (8-10 min): Apply Steps 2-3. Same format. Individual work with your narration.
- Round 3 (5 min): Polish and complete. "Take the last 5 minutes to finish your draft. We'll share a few in the next block."
What makes this work:
- A timer. Always visible. "You have 8 minutes for this round."
- Music or ambient sound (optional, but it signals "work mode" vs. "listen mode").
- Walk-through narration. Don't go silent while they work. Share tips, examples, and common mistakes as they go.
- A specific deliverable. Not "think about your messaging" but "write your 3-sentence positioning statement in the chat."
Block 4: Share and Feedback (10 minutes)
Have 2-3 participants share what they created. This serves multiple purposes:
- Social proof — Others see the framework working in real time
- Peer learning — Different approaches inspire new ideas
- Coaching demonstration — Your live feedback shows the value of working with you directly
- Energy boost — After 25 minutes of heads-down work, sharing re-energizes the room
Format: "Who wants to share their [deliverable]? Drop it in the chat and I'll give live feedback."
Give specific, actionable feedback. Not "that's great!" but "Strong headline. I'd swap 'help' for a more specific verb — try 'equip' or 'train.' And the second bullet could use a number for specificity."
This block is also a subtle demonstration of what it's like to work with you. The attendees getting feedback are experiencing a mini coaching session. Everyone watching is seeing your expertise in action.
Block 5: Wrap and Next Steps (5 minutes)
Close the loop:
- Recap the deliverable. "You now have a [completed thing]. That's more than most people do in a week."
- Bridge to the next step. "This is Step 1 of the process. Steps 2-4 are where the real results happen."
- Clear CTA. "If you want guided support implementing the full system, here's how we work together: [link]."
The CTA in a workshop converts differently than in a webinar. In a webinar, you're selling the promise. In a workshop, they've already experienced a taste of the result. The CTA is: "Want more of what you just got?"
3 Workshop Outline Templates (Copy These)
Template A: The Skill-Builder
Best for: Teaching a specific, repeatable skill. Participants leave able to do something they couldn't do before.
1. The Challenge (5 min)
"Most [audience] struggle with [skill] because [root cause]"
Deliverable preview: "By minute 55, you'll have [specific output]"
2. The 3-Step Method (10 min)
Step 1: [Name] — What it is, why it matters, one example
Step 2: [Name] — What it is, why it matters, one example
Step 3: [Name] — What it is, why it matters, one example
3. Build It — Guided Exercise (25 min)
Round 1 (10 min): Apply Step 1 to your own [context]
Round 2 (10 min): Apply Steps 2-3
Round 3 (5 min): Polish and finalize
4. Hot Seats (10 min)
3 volunteers share their work
Live feedback and refinement
5. Next Steps (5 min)
"You've completed [Step 1 of the full system]"
CTA: "Here's how to implement all 3 steps with support"
Total: 55 minutes
Use this when: You're teaching copywriting, LinkedIn profiles, email sequences, pricing, positioning, or any skill where the output is a tangible asset.
Template B: The Strategy Session
Best for: Helping participants make a decision or build a plan. Less about skill, more about clarity.
1. The Decision (5 min)
"Today you'll walk out with a clear [plan/strategy/decision]"
"No more 'I should figure this out someday' — we're doing it now"
2. The Framework (15 min)
The decision matrix or planning tool you use with clients
Walk through a completed example end-to-end
3. Your Turn — Guided Planning (20 min)
Section 1 (7 min): Fill in [part A] of the framework
Section 2 (7 min): Fill in [part B]
Section 3 (6 min): Review and identify gaps
4. Peer Review (10 min)
Breakout pairs: share your plan with a partner for 3 min each
Return to main room: 2 volunteers share takeaways
5. Commit and Close (5 min)
"What's your #1 action from today? Drop it in the chat."
CTA: "Want accountability on this plan? Here's how"
Total: 55 minutes
Use this when: You're helping people plan a launch, choose a niche, map a content strategy, set quarterly goals, or make any decision they've been procrastinating on.
Template C: The Audit
Best for: Helping participants evaluate and improve something they already have. They bring existing work; they leave with a better version.
1. The Standard (5 min)
"Here's what [great version of their thing] looks like"
Show 2-3 examples: one bad, one good, one great
2. The Scoring Rubric (10 min)
Your evaluation criteria (3-5 dimensions)
Walk through scoring one example live so they see the process
3. Self-Audit (20 min)
Participants score their own [website/profile/offer/email]
using your rubric
Identify their top 2 weaknesses
4. Fix the #1 Issue (15 min)
"Pick your lowest-scoring area. Let's fix it right now."
Guided rewrite/revision of their weakest point
5. Before and After (5 min)
2-3 volunteers share their improvement
CTA: "Want a full audit with personalized recommendations?"
Total: 55 minutes
Use this when: You're reviewing LinkedIn profiles, websites, sales pages, email sequences, offers, or any existing asset that could be improved.
5 Common Workshop Mistakes
1. Too much teaching, not enough doing
If participants spent more than 20 minutes listening without acting, your workshop is a webinar in disguise. The 40/60 rule: no more than 40% instruction.
2. Vague exercise instructions
"Now take some time to think about your messaging" is not an exercise. "Write a 3-sentence positioning statement using this formula: I help [audience] achieve [outcome] through [method]. You have 8 minutes. Go." — that's an exercise. Be specific about the deliverable, the format, and the time.
3. No timer
Without a visible timer, exercises stretch indefinitely. Some people finish in 3 minutes and get bored. Others never start because there's no urgency. A timer keeps everyone on pace and gives you permission to move on.
4. Skipping the share block
It's tempting to cut the sharing section when you're running long. Don't. The share block is where the magic happens — it's social proof, peer learning, and a live coaching demo all in one. It's also the highest-energy moment of the workshop, right before your CTA.
5. No tangible deliverable
"I learned a lot" is a nice feeling. "I built my complete LinkedIn outreach sequence" is a result. Every workshop should have a deliverable the participant can point to and say "I made this today." That deliverable is also what they'll screenshot and share — which is free marketing for your next workshop.
Build Your Workshop Outline in 60 Seconds
You have the framework and the templates. If you want to skip the formatting and go straight to a polished, branded workshop outline, TTV Presentation Maker does the heavy lifting.
Tell the AI your workshop topic and format. It creates a professional, shareable outline with sections, timing, descriptions, and a CTA — ready to send to participants or embed on your registration page.
Create Your Free Workshop Outline →
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a workshop be?
60 minutes is the sweet spot for virtual workshops. It's long enough to teach a framework and complete an exercise, but short enough to hold attention. For in-person workshops, you can extend to 90 minutes or 2 hours with a break. Never go past 2 hours without a break — engagement falls off a cliff.
What's the ideal group size for a workshop?
For virtual workshops with interactive exercises: 10-30 participants. Under 10 and sharing feels forced. Over 30 and individual feedback becomes impossible. If you're running a larger group (50+), use breakout rooms for exercises and pull a few examples back to the main room for live feedback.
How do I keep people engaged during exercises?
Three techniques: (1) Keep a timer visible at all times. (2) Narrate while they work — share tips, common mistakes, and examples. Don't go silent. (3) Check in at the halfway mark: "How's everyone doing? Drop a thumbs up in the chat if you're on track."
Should I use slides in a workshop?
Minimal slides. Your framework overview should be visual (a slide showing the 3-5 steps), and your examples should be on slides. But during exercises, hide the slides and show the exercise instructions + timer. Slides during work time are a distraction.
How is a workshop different from a masterclass?
A masterclass is a deep-dive teaching session — the host demonstrates mastery and the audience learns by watching. A workshop is a guided doing session — the host teaches briefly, then participants apply the method themselves. Masterclasses sell through authority ("this person is an expert"). Workshops sell through experience ("I just did this and it worked").
What tools do I need to run a virtual workshop?
At minimum: a video conferencing tool (Zoom, Google Meet) and a way to share exercise instructions. For a better experience, add a timer tool, a shared document or chat for submissions, and a professional agenda page that participants can reference during the session. TTV Presentation Maker can create that agenda page in about a minute.
Start Building Workshops That Transform
The difference between a forgettable session and one that changes how people work comes down to structure. Give participants a framework they can execute, time to actually execute it, and feedback on what they built. That's it.
Pick one of the three templates above. Fill in your topic. And give your next group of participants an experience worth talking about.
