Installed a new SSD drive into my 2009 macbook pro, and cant select new drive to boot from

Hi!

This will be incredible if I can get an answer to this!

I installed a new SSD drive into my 2009 MacBook pro, all went well.

I know my next step is to boot in some mode that allows me to select the new hard drive.

I have not been able to do this.

I have tried holding down "option", "c", "r", "option + command +r".

All that keeps happening is I get a flashing "?" folder and it goes nowhere.

Help! I want this to work!

Thanks so much!