Some of you may have read my most recent post for Balihoo entitled "The Future for Social Media".   In that posting I discussed the advances that local advertisers should expect to see in social media and the fact that it's definitely going to stick around incorporated in local marketing strategy. 
That said, I hate to lament the subject any further but.... I recently stumbled across more interesting information- so, here goes!  

To understand how marketers are using social media, Social Media Examiner (a free online magazine designed to help businesses discover how to best use social media tools- like Facebook etc) commissioned the 2010 Social Media Marketing Industry Report (which you can view by clicking on the link).

In the report you will find some interesting information on: 

1-Top 10 Social Media questions marketers want answered 
2-How much time marketers invest in social media 
3-Top benefits of social media 
4-Most frequently used social media tools 
5-Marketers future social media plans 

The study was conducted by surveying approximately 2,000 up and coming social marketers/business owners. It contains interesting information about questions I know are pertinent and top of mind for local marketing and media clients that we work with on a daily basis.  Their bottom line? How much time and energy should I put towards this effort for my local advertising?
I think you'll find this report insightful and helpful in answering that question- check it out!