The other thing is if flying to say Birmingham, call up "Birmingham Approach" (or whatever the right name is) not "Birmingham Radio" which is a dead giveaway of a pilot who has not done any homework.
Even better, add "over" to the end of each call, and make a lot of use of "currently" and "at this time" for good measure
Anyway, seriously, one thing not mentioned is filing a flight plan. In the UK this is not legally necessary, and if one is filed it will not be distributed anywhere enroute so it is no help there, but the destination will get it and they will know to expect you around that time. It is probably a good idea. Bigger airports everywhere work in this way.