Sub mix everything but the kick to a stereo bus (if you're planning a stereo mix), and compress that to fit, and compress the kick separately, then mix together with the rest of the instruments and tweak to taste. That's is one method.

I usually just throw all the faders up and start there until I like what I'm hearing. There are a number of "seasonings" that can be thrown in. And "subtractive" mixing is my style (what can I do without). Simlpe is alway best for me. I use a clock as a "boundry/limitation." So, quickest is "best-est."