Publish research and scholarly product regularly and in the very best publications possible. Apply for grants regularly and at the highest possible level, i.e., nationally, not just locally. As careers advance, and other duties begin to impinge increasingly on available time, developing research collaborations becomes, for some, either wise or even essential. Increasingly in the sciences, establishing collaborations is now not just an option. Go to conferences and make your own presentations along with your collaborators.
Public exposure is important.
Plan your research in doable bites, i.e., ask good, achievable questions or pose realistically testable hypotheses. Take advice from colleagues and peers in refining these goals in grant proposals. In the sciences this means being open to changing directions and to taking on board new techniques and technologies. Remaining narrow in outlook no longer works over an entire career. Take advantage of the burgeoning sources of information available through the Internet.