Here's what has helped me:

1) Before kerning, make sure your glyph widths are right.

2) Read this: http://members.xoom.virgilio.it/dtp/papers/type_by_design/chapter3.pdf

3) Go here: http://typophile.com/downloads/ and use the relevant resources.

I hope that helps.

Let it be known, however, that my fonts are pretty wacky. I could take my own advice!