Scheduling is important.

I (too often) compare the info-product launch scene to movie releases.

WHEN the movie releases will certainly impact sales. And what other movies release that same weekend (or around it) can seriously effect sales.

But, you'll never have a "perfect time" when your competitors aren't also trying to reach the same audience.

If it's a profitable market, others are also pitching on a regular basis. Whether it's an event based "launch" or just a regular promotion, your target market (in this case the affiliate list you're trying to reach) is being distracted by other similar offers.

If you already know that a large competitor ("guru") is soliciting those affiliates and you know which dates they are launching, the easiest solution would be to see if the following week (or 2-3 weeks out!) works better.

You probably spent weeks (if not months!) piecing together your product and your release strategy... going head to head with a bigger player isn't smart. You do it when you have to, but if you can avoid it, then switch your dates and delay the release.

In fact, I'd jump over to their JV blog and would Google their domain/aff links to find those who promoted his product (I'd do this with several related products as well)... then make sure your "pitch" to the affiliates is better.

How can you make an affiliate invitation better:
- communicate the benefits better (majority of merchants are lazy in how they present the aff opportunity)

- pay higher commissions (work out your numbers and see if you can do this)

- offer continuity (always attracts attention)

- pay your affiliates sooner (I don't know an affiliate who'd rather wait 6-8 weeks for their commissions vs. 7-days for 75% of their commissions... you'd keep a bit of a hold to protect yourself from refunds)

- make your communications more personal (send custom and thought-out emails, make scheduled phone calls)

- reciprocate ... offer them more than just the affiliate commission. How can you serve them?

Etc

Etc

But, again, I'd simply move the date of your launch to something a little more open. That said, you'll never have a perfect day to "launch". There's always something going on the uber-profitable and very profitable markets (such as "internet marketing").