Tom Peters recently revisited [2] the brand called you. Updating it for the now, he offers the following basic advice:

• Think about great gigs
• Be a spin doctor
• Master something
• Laugh off the fabulous screwup
• Embrace ambiguity
• Loyalty ain't dead
• Appreciate new technology
• Never be satisfied

The piece expands on each item, and other people seem to be returning to the idea of self-branding as well. One such person is Ramon Williamson, whose top 10 tactics got picked up [3] by Robin Good. Here's Williamson's approach, with an addendum by Goood:

• Think like a free agent.
• Discover what sets you apart and market it shamelessly.
• Get visible.
• Stop networking, and build a network.
• Add value - and then some.
• Accelerate your brand power by getting in sync with a major trend in your field and moving to the head of it.
• Marry an important, ethical cause as a complement to what you like to do
• Share before looking for profit
• Help others become as successful as you
• Question yourself and your approach systematically - get forever curious