# Build a Pool

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://fohr.writedocs.io/llms.txt).

Create a pool, add criteria, and choose how each criterion matches.

Building a pool means defining the creators you want to find. Add criteria, choose how creators must match them, and let Fohr find everyone who qualifies.

<Video src="https://app.supademo.com/embed/cmvtul9bv03qlqmh9le7tlxpb?embed_v=2&utm_source=embed" title="Build a Pool in Fohr" />

## Before you start

Sign in as an admin, open **Pool**, and learn what a [pool, a lane, and a criterion](https://fohr.writedocs.io/docs/admin/pool/) are.

## How to build a pool

These steps show one way to build a pool. You can return to any step and adjust your criteria later.

**1. Create a pool**

On the **Talent Pools** list, choose a brand from the **Brand** selector. The new pool belongs to this brand, and you cannot change the brand later.

Select **New pool**. The editor opens with no creators and the message **No creators yet**.

**2. Name the pool**

Select **Name this Pool**, enter a name, and press Enter. Choose a name that describes the creators you want to find, such as their profession and market. Your teammates see this name on the **Talent Pools** list.

Fohr saves the pool on your first edit. After it saves, the pool gets its own address, and **Use this Pool** and **Pool actions** appear in the top bar.

**3. Add the first criterion**

In the side panel, select **Add criteria** and choose a criterion. Complete the dialog and select **Apply**.

The side panel then shows **Looking for creators who:** followed by your criterion, and the matching creators fill the results. For details about each criterion and its options, see [Pool Criteria](https://fohr.writedocs.io/docs/admin/pool/criteria/).

**4. Save your changes**

Select **Save** to keep your changes. The top bar shows **Unsaved changes** until you save. Save again after each set of changes you want to keep. If **Save** is dimmed, there are no unsaved changes.

If you try to leave with unsaved changes, Fohr asks **Leave without saving?** Select **Keep editing** to stay, or **Leave** to discard your changes.

**5. Choose how the values match**

When a criterion holds several values, use the selector that reads **any of** to choose how a creator has to match them.

| Choice | Choose it when |
| --- | --- |
| **any of** | A creator needs to match at least one value. Use it for interchangeable options, such as several cities. |
| **all of** | A creator needs to match every value, such as two topics. |
| **none of** | You want to exclude (A creator you exclude stays out of the pool, even when they match every criterion.) creators who match any of the values, such as a brand they have worked with. |

> **Tip**
>
> Put interchangeable options in one criterion and set it to **any of**. Use a separate lane (One complete definition of the creators you want. A creator must match every criterion in the lane.) when the options describe a different group of creators. See [Expand a Pool with Lanes](https://fohr.writedocs.io/docs/admin/pool/lanes/).

**6. Add more criteria to narrow the lane**

Select **Add criteria** for each additional condition a creator has to meet. Every criterion in a lane (One complete definition of the creators you want. A creator must match every criterion in the lane.) has to match, so adding criteria narrows the results.

The following controls help you adjust your criteria and step back:

| Control | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| The **x** on a value | Removes that value from the criterion. |
| **Remove criteria** | Removes the whole criterion. |
| **Clear all criteria** | Removes every criterion from the lane (One complete definition of the creators you want. A creator must match every criterion in the lane.). |
| **Undo** and **Redo** | **Undo** reverses your last change to the criteria. **Redo** restores it. |
| **View settings** | Changes how the results look, with no effect on who is in the pool. See [View settings](https://fohr.writedocs.io/docs/admin/pool/results/#view-settings). |

Your pool now lists every creator who matches. Curate the results next, or send the pool to your team.

## Troubleshooting

The following questions come up when you build a pool:

**Apply is disabled**

The dialog still needs a value. Read its footer, which names the missing piece, for example **Add a term to continue** in **Keywords** and **Pick at least one event to continue** in **Life event** (A milestone a creator announced publicly in a post, such as a new home or a graduation.).

**The pool shows no creators**

Every criterion in a lane (One complete definition of the creators you want. A creator must match every criterion in the lane.) has to match, and a criterion set to **all of** with several values narrows the lane the most. Remove a criterion or switch **all of** to **any of**, and the creators return.

**A creator you expect is missing**

Someone may have excluded (A creator you exclude stays out of the pool, even when they match every criterion.) the creator from this pool. Select the **excluded** link in the side panel to open **Excluded creators**, then select **Bring back** to restore them. See [Shortlist and Exclude Creators](https://fohr.writedocs.io/docs/admin/pool/curate/).

The creator may also have stopped matching your criteria. See [Why pool results change](https://fohr.writedocs.io/docs/admin/pool/#why-pool-results-change).

**Your criteria are missing after you leave the pool**

Fohr discards unsaved changes when you select **Leave** in the **Leave without saving?** window. Add the criteria again, and select **Save** to keep them.

## Related articles

**[Pool](https://fohr.writedocs.io/docs/admin/pool/)**

How Pool works, from pools and lanes (One complete definition of the creators you want. A creator must match every criterion in the lane.) to the shortlist (A creator you shortlist stays in the pool, even when they stop matching your criteria.) and the override rules.

**[Pool Criteria](https://fohr.writedocs.io/docs/admin/pool/criteria/)**

Every criterion you can add to a pool, with the options each one offers.

**[Expand a Pool with Lanes](https://fohr.writedocs.io/docs/admin/pool/lanes/)**

Add, compare, and hide lanes (One complete definition of the creators you want. A creator must match every criterion in the lane.) to widen a pool without losing the first definition.

**[Shortlist and Exclude Creators](https://fohr.writedocs.io/docs/admin/pool/curate/)**

Shortlist (A creator you shortlist stays in the pool, even when they stop matching your criteria.) and exclude (A creator you exclude stays out of the pool, even when they match every criterion.) creators, undo either one, and act on several at once.